The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1898-07-21
THE SPOILS OF WAR.
NUMBER OF PRISONERS EXCEED THE
STRENGTH OF SaAFTER'S ARMY.

- ~ S'' @N ~ 'N''" -
Ten Million Rounds of Ammunition Were
Department to Hurry Departure Of
Immune Regiments.
Washington, D. c., July 20.z-The war
department received dispatch from
General Shafter saying that the roster
of prisoners was handed in yesterday
afternoon by General Toral and that
the total is 22,7Ss men.
General Skaters dispatch added that
the prisoners turned over to him far
exceeded in numbers the strength of his
own army.
department to hurry forward the regi-
ments Of immunes for service at Santi-
ago city and vicinity in order that there
may be minimum of danger of furth-
er infection of our troops from the
fever which prevails at Santiago.
Secretary Alger deems 1t probable
that the total number of Spanish SOL
diers who will have to be transported
to Spain will reach $4,000. estimated
by General Shafter as General Torars
reports did not cover quite all the SOL
diers who would be turned over.
The secretary says the military gov
ernor of Santiago has not been def
nitely selected.
Our army captured 100000 rounds
of ammunition at Santiago, so that
1t will not need such supplies for some
time.
General Shafter in a dispatch to the
war department says he will send off,
GERS and men to receive the surrender
of garrisons in the interior amounting
to about 1000 Spanish soldiers. He will
also send forces to receive the surren-
der of the coast towns OF Guantanamo
Boison. Sagua and Pancinit. Ten thou
sand stands of arms, he says, were
taken at Santiago.
Some apprehension is expressed here
that the assumption by the United
States government of the control Of
affairs at Santiago may lead to trou-
BILE with the Cubans A few days be-
fore the surrender of the city General
Garcia sent a committee to General
ohultSl ludl lle Su-
bans had selected Cuban named Cas-
tillo for governor of that city.
1t is plain, however, from the read
ing of the presidents order to Shaf-
ter that it will be long time before
this Cuban officer is allowed to exercise
the functions of governor and it is be-
lieved it is the presidents purpose
when the military government he has
just erected gives way to replace it
with a popular government, meaning
thereby a government for Santiago
chosen by the free vote of the people
of Santiago.
Some doubt Is expressed as to wheth-
er this programme win be entirely ac-
ceptable to that element of the Cuban
party which demands immediate pos
session of captured territory, but as
the administration is convinced that
this element is neither the most numer-
Gus nor respectable in the Cuban cause,
it is believed their dissatisfaction will
take no more dangerous form than pro-
tests and growls.
The ordnance department of the war
department is considering what to do
with the large quantity of arms, ammu-
milton, fortification guns and ordnance
stores which have come into the pos
session of this government through the
surrender of Santiago.
General Shafter reports that about
1000 Mauser rifles were turned over the
first day and the number will reach
probably 10000 when the troops at 9TH
er points in the surrendered zone turn
in their guns. The reports made be-
fore the surrender indicated that the
Mausers handled by the Spanish troops
were not in very good condition. The
guns were all right when furnished, but
the poor care they received, principally
from the volunteers, left many of them
rusty and defective. Ordnance officials
believe. however, that the greater part
Of the guns can be put in first class
order.
The Mauser has a calibre of seven
millimeters, or q 7-S of an inch while
the American gun has a calibre of 8 of
an inch. This difference in calibre
makes it impossible to use American
ammunition in the captured guns. The
surrender also covers a large stock of
ammunition, rifle balls, ETC., of the cal
iber suitable for the Mausers, so that
when the guns are repaired there will
be an ample stock of cartridges to use
in them. The ordnance bureau is con-
sidering only what shall be done with
the guns If they are utilized by this
government, as 1t has nothing to do
with the larger question concerning the
ultimate return of the guns to the
Spanish troops. This is general ques-
tion of governmental policy, but 1t ap-
pears to be pretty well settled that the
guns will not be returned to the Span
iards, at least until the war Is over.
The Pelayo in Tow.
Marseilles July "A steamer which