Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1898-06-06
WAR NOTES.


st. Nicholas, Hayti, state that three
Spanish and four American warships
fought Saturday near Jean Rabel, a
Haytien seaport. The American ships
are reported to have withdrawn from
the combat. 1t is believed that they
were scouts and that the vessels which
they encountered may have baen part
of the Cadiz squadron, which, accord
ing to some reports, is nearing Santiago
de Cuba to assist Admiral Cervera. In
Washington it is believed that the
Spanish reserve squadron has not left
Cadiz and that some of its ships are in
such bad condition that they cannot be
ready for considerable time.
A vessel, which has arrived at Port
Antonio, Jamaica, reports that the
!, American fleet at Santiago de Cuba has
| sunk the Spanish torpedo-boat destroy
or Terror. If this is true, the Terror,
| which was last heard from at Porto
! Rico, probably tried to attack the
American fleet from the rear. Perhaps
the name of the vessel should be the
Furor, as that boat has recently been
inside Santiago.
A dispatch which the Spanish censor
allowed to come from Madrid says that
squadron ofSpanish warships passed
Madagascar recently, heading for Ma
Mia.
The United States troopship Reso-
lutte, which is believed to be carrying
United States regulars to Santiago, has
arrived at Mole St. Nicholas.
The naval war board in Washington
has been considering new plan of
campaign which contemplates an at
tack upon the Spanish coast and the
Canary Islands.
General Merritt expects to start the
second expedition to the Philippines
this week, with about 5000 troops, on
FIVE transports. W. J. Bryan's Ne.
praska regiment will go with later
expedition.
Four additional steamers have been
chartered as transports and have been
ordered to Fernandina, Fla, which is
convenient to Jacksonville, now the
headquarters of General Lee and his
corps.
II is believed by officials of the gov
eminent in Washington that Spain is
anxious for peace, and seeking favor
able opportunity to make overtures for
ending the war. The greatest difficult
ty in the way of such movement is the
unwillingness of the European powers
to act as Intermediates. A diplomatic
in Washington ssys none of the powers
will act alone ana take the initiative,
and concert of the powers for united
action cannot be secured.
1t is said in Washington that this
week is to see the climax of the war,
and that Santiago and Porto Rico are
to pass into the possession of the United
States. Against both places o military
and naval expedition of great force is
to be directed, and before many days
will come the news of two notable en-
gagements. OF the success the Presi-
dent, who is especially interested in
the immediate taking OF Porto Rico,
has no doubt whatever. The army will
land nesr Santiago, and will march
overland to the rear of the Santiago
Notifications, to take them by storm.
About the same time large section of
SIMPSONS squadron will appear before
San Juan, and with the aid of the
troops, which will be landed from trans.
ports, the taking of that city will be
attempted.
A dispatch from Washington says:
The United States has been asked liz
formally, but officially, what terms of
peace would be given Spain, if she
would now surrender, and has replied
that she must surrender Cuba to the
Cubans under the United States? tenn
porary protectorete until they can es-
tablisn stable government, and Porto
49, AS indemnity to the United States,
h,,v --s'"n of the Philippines
while the quen..- -~naidertion.
must be left to future Uo--
Meanwhile the war would be vigorous
ly prosecuted by this country.
A despatch from st. Petersburg says:
The Novosti, commenting on the sup
posed intention OF the Spanish govern
ment to appeal to the powers to inter
yene, saws: "It is full time to end
senseless and criminal war. SPANS
appeal is sort of equalization, but, on
the other hand, America must volunta.
rily submit her pretentions to tribu.
nal of powers. America cannot avoid
doing this, as her position, with two
long and exposed coast lines, is not
such as could withstand the combined
fleets of two or three European powers.
Let Europe raise her mighty voice and
restore that peace to which mankind
looks for the only peaceful expansion
and for the triumph of civilization"