Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-06-03
GENERAL WAR SITUATION.
Continued from page ~


British North American coal field t.
San Francisco and the Nova Scott;
coal fields are also easily accessible t
Atlantic ports.
1t is understood, however, tina
Spain's protest has not proved of any
avail. The subject was referred to the
Canadian authorities. who upon inves
tigation, learned that the coal ship
ments both from British NORTH
America and from Nova Scotia were il
the ordinary course of commercial
transactions.
They were made by private parties il
Canada to private parties in the United
States. Whether the coal subsequently
passed into the hands of the United
States government for use by the
American navy was held to be outside
of the province of British and Cana
dian authorities. 1t is probable that
any direct sales to the navy depart
ment would have been stopped as these
would have been manifestly breach
of the neutral attitude maintained by
the British government and its colon
ial possessions.
If the Queen Regent of Spain has in
structed Senior Castillo to ask the
powers to intervene for peace, tha'
movement has not yet taken any form
in Washington, either at the state de
partment or at any of the foreign en-
bassies.
Among diplomatic officials it is
thought to be quite possible that Spain
is feeling her way toward securing
peace, but it is not believed that this
will get any active assistance from tho
great powers. As one leading dlplo-
matte official said, today. Spain finds
herself in the same condition of isola-
ton that France was in in 1S70-11 AT
that time NJ. Theirs, aftcrWard Presi-
dent, went from capital to capital seek
ing to secure the cooperation of
Europe with France, but his mission
was a failure.
The mission of Castillo is said to be
like that of Theirs and the diplomatic
officials believe it will meet with the
same fate. 1t is known that Spain has
counted most on arOusing the active
interest of France, but it has been UNI
successful.
The French officials here have not
heard of any negotiation for many
weeks past. indicating that the author
tiles at Paris have not taken up the
propositions of Senior Castillo for in
PREVENTION in behalf of peace.
In consequence of numerous and re
peated complaints against the healthful-
ness of Camp Alger. near Falls Church.
Va. the secretary of war has given per
sonal orders for a thorough and impartial
investigation of the sanitary condition of
the camp and its surroundings. He has
intrusted this work to his military aide,
Major George II. Hopkins of the volun-
teer army, who had considerable expert
ence in the field during the Civil War.
The principal complaints against the
camp are that the water supply is INSULT
cient and of bad quality. and that exist
ing conditions there prcdiSpose the sol
diers to malaria. If the army board
shows these complaints to he well found
ed the camp will be abandoned in favor
of more healthful site
The latest arrival in camp was the 9th
Massachusetts. 9i3 strong. late last night.
The sale of liquor within the camp has
been absolutely prohibited.
The recent publication in a few news
papers of vague charges against a mem
Der of the diplomatic corps here that hi
was aiding Spain by securing information
through spies. is now being quietly inves-
tigated. The matter is expected to take
an official form in the near future.
The navy department. today. ordered
public the following extract from a report
to the department made by capt. Clark
of the Oregon. ON the extraordinary run
of that ship around two continents: 1T
is gratifying to call the departments at
tention to the spirit aboard this ship, il
both officers and men. This best can b6
described by referring to instances such
AS that of the engineer officers in Volun-
tarly doubling their watches when high
speed was to bc made, to the attempts OF
men to return to the fire room after be
ing carried out of it mscnsiblc. ana to tn,
fact that most of the crow who wcr,
working by watches 10y day ana night, a
Sandy Point preferred to leave their ham
mocks in the MEETINGS until they could gc
the ship coaled and ready to sail from
Sandy Point"
Assistant Secretary Meiklejohn of tn,
war department. secured additional trans
ports for the Cuban army of invasion
This swells the total number of vessels t.
over 80. with a carrying capacity of near
ly 10000 men. The ships secured today
will be sent to Florida ports. chiefly Tam
pa, as fast as practicable, and prepare
for service. The vessels are the Comanch
of the clyde Line now at New York ca
pacity, 1900 men; the Louisiana and tn
knckerboclcr of the Cromwell Line. on
of which is at New York and the other n
New Orleans. GOO men each; the Special
list and the Cnionist. belonging to a for
ciEn line and which before the war pile,
between Mobile and Porto Rico esti
mated to carry 1000 men each. They ar
now at Mobile. The charter of the tw
last named vessels is subject to the grant
ing by Congress of an American register
Tor which the assistant secretary will asl
that body
Mr.. Meiklejohn also announces that tn
Mantea a small vessel now at one of til
Gulf ports. is ready for service and wi
proceed to Tampa Immediately. Her ca
pacity is 200 mon.
me understanding at the war denart
meht is that mp TO this time none of til
troops of the regular army which If WA
announced would sail, this week. hay