Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-07-23

est if not of Importance at the war
and navy departments to-day.
General Anderson, at Cavite, sent
a message saying that Aguinaldo
had declared a dictatorship and
martial law over the Philippines,
something that gave the cabinet
food for consideration at their reg
ular meeting to-day. There was
no disposition to force any issue
with the insurgent chief at this
time, but it is pretty well under
stood that he will not be allowed
to commit the United States gov
eminent in the future treatment OF
the Philippine question.
The visit of the German ambas-
sador to the President and to the
Secretary of State was a basis for
a belief that he called to make
some representation on that sub
ject, and perhaps as well on the
question of peace as affected by
the programme laid down by Wat
sons projected voyage to European
waters. If so, no official confirm
alton was obtainable, and friend
" visit was the only explanation
offered by Secretary Day for the
appearance of the German ambas-
sador in the dog days in Washing
ton. The embassy people were no
more communicative, so that if
anything of Importance passed
during the meeting between the
President and DR.. Won Helleben
it probably will be revealed only in
the shape of action later on.
1t would not be surprising if it
should develop that strong Euro
pean influences are being brought
to bear to dissuade the Navy De-
partment from dispatching Wat
sons fleet to Europe. 1t is also
believed to have been Intellectual,
for it is stated that the departure
of the squadron is only delayed,
not abandoned.
Although Gen. Miles reported, by
cable to-day from Mole st. Mich
olas, Hayti, that he was NOV
ing along well'' with the first de-
tachment of the military expedi-
ton against Porto Rico, the body
of his dispatch preceding this
statement gave rise at first to the
apprehension that, like Shafter at
Santiago. Gen. Miles was threat
ened with a costly delay in land
ing his expedition on Porto Rican
soil, owing to the absence of
lighters and tugs. 1t was said at
the War Department later on that
some of these lighters were al
ready on their way from New Or
leans and New York. and that no
sensible delay would arise from
that score. 1t appears from Gen.
Miles's first statement relative to
Col. Hecker that he was not ac-
quainted with the necessity that
had arisen for that officers pres
ence in Washington in order to
provide for the speedy |. ~usporta-
ton to Spain of the troops sur
rendered at Santiago.
The brief report from Admiral
Sampson declaring the success of
the expedition to Nipe is really
more important than appears on
the surface. The Bay of Nipe lies
on the north coast of Cuba, al
most directly. across the island
from Santiago. 1t is purposed to
establish a base there, which will
save at least two days time in get
ting supplies into Cuba as compar-
ed with the Santiago route. 1t
will also form a good point of oper-
alton against Holguin, not far dis
tant, and if it should develop, I'M
fortunately that restraining hand
must be laid on the Cubans them
selves, Nipe is in connection with
Santiago and would be an effec-
tive means of doing this. The War
Department has not yet been in
formed that General Skaters Gu
ban allies have quit the American
lines for the reasons set out in a
printed letter by General Garcia,
but it is scarcely doubted that such
is the case, for the friction has been
been growing more pronounced
every day since the fall of Santi-
ago, and it is feared that a sever
ance OF relations can no longer be
avoided. That the Cuban Junta is
I hopeful of avoiding such a
easure is evidenced by the conf
ence shown by Senior Quesada. one
bf the. Cuban legation here, in an
4 amicable settlement.
A