Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1898-06-18

1t is evident that Germany is resolved
effectively to protect her interests in the
Philippines. as the German firms in
Manila petitioned the government to do,
some time ago.
The action of the kaiser in sending
practically all his Asiatic tleet-a
stronger aggregation than ours-into
those waters, is looked upon with grave
suspicion. Such a concentration of
power, it is not believed. could be for the
sole purpose of protecting German in
terests. The advice in several Berlin
newspapers to their government to de-
mand at least coaling station in the
Philippines. it is thought, comes near
to voicing the least of the German de-
mands.
The Spanish press has increased its
optimism. based on the belief that Ger
many intends to prevent lombard
ment of Manila by making naval Gem
onstration. The newspapers urge sacri-
fees with the view of securing Ger
manys assistance, and political leaders
express themselves in favor Of offering
Germany the following concessions in
return for her taking the initiative i.
checking America Naval stations and
coalng depols in Spanish Oceania;
Spanish concurrence in the develop
ment of Germany's commercial and po-
litical relations with Morocco.
Washington. June 1j-WithOut ref
erence to the exact hour at which the
left ElnriIa fnI. (NnlIn If hu
safely said that before the end of the
week General Shafter will have landed
with his $4,000 troops on Cuban soil, and
that the investment of Santiago by land
will have been begun. There was some
confusion in the official mind here a."
to the time of the departure of the trans
ports. though assurance was given that
they had all gotten away. The confu-
sion on this point is easily accounted
for by persons who know anything of the
difficulty. of moving simultaneously a
numerous fleet composed of vessels of all
sizes and classes. No less than three
times, beginning Sunday, was definite
hour selected for the start and the war
department so notified. yet in each cas-"
an unexpected obstacle was encountered
nat W tIiV uV-
partment that postponement had been
forced. Sailors say that such delays are
inevitable. and rarely does feet get off
by first intention.
After all. the delay of a day or two in
the start is not calculated to make a
material difference in the plans, and the
only persons who will suffer from it will
he SIMPSONS marines, camped near the
tropical bay of Guantanamo and obliged
to maintain the strictest vigilance in re-
polling the bushwhacking Spanish ir
regulars who swarm in the thickets.
This foe gives no trouble during the day
light hours owing to the presence of the
Marblehead within easy range. but at
night. when the warships are unable to
distinguish their own men from the
enemy. the lot of the marines is a very
exciting one.
Having started the Santiago exped-
ton, the war department has concen-
trated all it's energies on the preparation
of the forces to be sent to Porto Rico.
Active movements in that line have been
made on scale so extensive as to lead
to the suppositiOn in some quarters that
the attack is to be directed upon Ha-
vana; but If this is so there is no open
indication of it. The volunteers col.
lected al Chattanooga. AZ 900 in number.
are reaching degree of excellence under
the management of General Brooke that
would warrant the government in order
ing them Immediately into active service,
but, unfortunately. there Is still con-
lack of equipment that will not
permit of this.
An unexpected complication has arisen
as to the right of Admiral Sampson at
Santiago and Admiral Dewey at Manila
to use the cables which each has secured
with view to bringing them into direct
Geographic communication with the au-
thorities here. 1t is understood by Off
Gals here that Admiral Dewey secured
the shore end of the cable leading from
to Hongkong sometime ago and
ouoyed it with a view to sending dis
patches. The same condition is under
stood at Santiago. where Admiral Samp-
ion has buoyed the shore end of the ca BILE
with Il view of repairing and using IL:
but no messages have been sent. and the
question has arisen as to whether it is
allowable under the rules of neutrality
for the French and British companies
,wning these lines to permit them to