The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-08-03

shall determine the control, disposition
and government of the Philippines. If
these terms are accepted by Spain IN
their entirety, it is stated that commits
sioncrs will be named by the United
States to meet commissioners on the part
of Spain for the purpose of concluding
Il treaty of peace on the basis above
indicated.
The officials here make no conceal
ment of their apprehension of serious
trouble to follow the execution of our
program in regard to the Philippines.
The reports of the military and naval
commanders of late have contained
warnings of expected conflicts with the
insurgents and no surprise will be felt
at the receipt of news of an outbreak
at any moment. The United States Coy
ernment feels that it has assumed n
neral obligation towards net only the
foreign residents at Manila, but towards
the unprotected classes of the Spanish
community, women, children, nuns and
priests. Therefore when intimaton
came that the insurgents were threaten
ing the lives of some helpless monks or
ders We're sent to the American military
commander to look into the matter and
act in the interest of civilization and
humanity. As according 10 reports, the
insurgents have shown particular hostiI-
ity towards the monks. it is a reasonable
expectation that before long Il collision
will have occurred between themselves
and the American troops if the latter un-
dert;ke to interfere in the execution of
the vengeance of the insurgents.
Some reports, which have been re-
ceived from Porto Rico. but which fo,
polite reasons cannot be made public
have given great satisfaction TO the off
cials of the War Department since they
30 to show that the resistance which can
he made by the Spanish troops will be
very little and it is even possible that
General Miles will achieve an almost
hloodless victory. In fact it has been
suggested with some plausibility that the
Madrid Goyernment, realizing the i'm
pendency Of peace and the lack of 10y
atty towards the monarchy Of the mass
of the Porto lsicans have allowed the
Spanish garrison of the island to under
stand that they are not expected to
sacrifice their lives in useless resistance
to superior force so that all that is to
be expected is to be rather formal sop
position to General Miles triumphal
march through the island
General Shafter's health reports to-
day state that he is now caring for over
6,00O sick people. including Spanish sol
dicrs, many of whom were found to be
very i'll. The task is II formidable one,
and the attempt to care for all probably
explains in a measure the lack of ade-
quate preparation of the transports en-
ployed in bringing home some of the
wounded and sick. The conditions on
these boats were found to be so shock
ing as to demand an immediate official
investigation, which was begun to-day.
and some court martials may be looked
for in high places unless it can be shown
clearly that the lack of preparations was
unavoidable.
Major General Young called at the
War Department to-day fresh from the
front, where his health broke down
under the severe exertions imposed by
the campaign. He spent some time with
Secretary Alger, as did Major General
Wade. who has not vet been able to-
perfect the arrangements for his cxpe
Gition to Porto Rico. For the trans
portation. the War Department is max
ing an effort to secure the two American
Liners Harvard and Yale. late the New
York and Paris now in the charter of
the Navy Department. and it is belicv-
cd that the effort will he successful AS
TO the other liners, st. Paul and st.
Louis, the Navy Department has not yet
reached "A decision. though in view of
the Presidents desire to curtai war ex-
penditures wherever possible, il is cx-
pected that they, too will be surrendered
by the Navy Department in the course
Of Il few days. In this case four of the
naval captains would be left without
commands, namely: Sigsbee. of the st.
Paul. Wise, Of the Yale. Goodrich. of
the st. Louis and Cotton, Of the Har-
yard, for even if the vessels were to be
used as army transports, the law would
not permit naval officers to command
them.
Fire proof wood is again in full favor
in the navy Secretary Long having to-
day issued an order requiring it's use
for decks Of battleships and monitors,
the only place from which it had been
excluded by preceding orders on account
of some commanders reports of damp
ness. The Secretary has decided that
the battle of July 3rd. has removed any
doubt as 10 the Importance of protect
ing warships from fire by the best
means within reach. He will appoint a.
board to consist of Il line officer, a naval