Evening star., 1898-06-14

ped by the troops. Contractors were also
permitted 10 bid for supplying beef on the
block at such places and such quantities as
might be required. and for supplying the
entire army at all points occupied by 1t in
Cuba
Opening the Bids.
The proposals were opened at IL O'Clock
this morning in the office of General Easan
al the War Department. in the presence OF
the representatives of firms who submitted
bids There were over thirty bids in all.
showing large variance in prices at which
firms will furnish beef on the block AMI
dressed. and many of them are so comp'i-
Gated that it will require careful examina-
tion to determine the relative merits or
each. The figures in many of the bids were
amusing. and in one case firm asked over
~ cents per pound for supplying dressed
beef Others again were quite low, the
prices varying considerably, according to
condition ssrd place of delivery and whether
dressed or on the block. AS Gen. Eagan
is anxious to hurry neat supplies to the
troops now on their way to Cuba the mat
ter will be taken up Immediately and he
hopes in day or two to have the bids
ts.bulated in such manner to be able
to award the contracts. Among the firms
which bid today were the following:
c. o. Mcclure. San Antonio. Tex: J. E.
Goodwin. Nashville. Tenn; Vim. NJ. Rice,
Houston Tex: r. f. McCaleb. North Car
olina; Borden and Borden Live Stock Com
pany. Galveston, Tex; J. Summerlin, Bar
tow. Fla: Fulton Bros. Tampa; W. H.
tt wles Key West. Fla: Robert Wills,
Chicago: Wm. T. Clark. Washington. d. CT;
Fred. F. Lyden, New York; f. H. McCaleb.
jr.. receI-cr of the NV Orleans Abattoir
Co. limited: X. H. Gardner, Galveston; j.
l.. Meyers. union stock yards of Baltimore;
II b. Stoddard of Washington; H. b. Cul-
lon. Washington: Armstrong. Peck & Co.
of Dallas Texas; Nelson Morris & Co. OF
Chicago: Armour & Co. Chicago: Swift &
Co. Chicago: United Dressed Beef Co..
New York: John c. Bid lie & Co, Norfolk.
The Plan of Campaign.
There is absolutely no apprehension at
the Navy or War Department that "A Span
isl war vessel of any character will be en-
countered by the transports on their way
To Santiago The opinion is expressed 1T
the War Department tkat the transports
will probably not arrive off Santiago Ee-
fore Friday morning. as they will rot at
tempt to make fast sail.
II is anticipated that the first thing after
the landing of the troops steps will be
ticker. before proceeding to any extent in
the campaign. to assemble as large a force
as possible Of insurgents. and to organize
them into scouting parties to operate
against the Irregular and bands of busn-
whackers, which it is now known will have
to be contelded against, so as to clear the
way for the operations of the invading
Amy.
In htl he H.
service. and it is practically the only
sistance of great Importance which they
can render. Their familiarity with the
country and the methods of warfare which
the Spanish have evidently adopted will en-
able them to protect our troops from har-
assing embushes
The two squadrons of Woods rough rid
ers. who We're taken dismounted. will also
be available for scout duty, their lack of
familiarity with the country being provided
against by a detail Of native scouts
The regulars who have been used to In
dian warfare will probably adopt the meth
DDS which experience has taught them to
be employed in dealing with savages. 1t is
evident to the department that the Spanish
do not place any reliance upon their ability
to meet our army in war in an open fight
or to withstand Il siege but that they pro-
pose to adopt the method which the 1nsur-
gents have found so successful of distrib-
uting comparatively small bands of guer-
riilas throughout the island to lay am
bushes and 20 shoot down pickets from un-
der cover
The horrible mutilation Of the bodies or
the four marires who were amjushed
shows a legree of barbarism which might
well be regarded as placing the operations
of the Spanish outside the pale of civilized
warfare In this military men recognize
the same 1arbaric spirit that inspirec the
destruction of the Maine. and it is realized
that our wounded who may be placed at the
mercy Of such d foe are likely to be treat
ell as have been the dead
The fact concerning this mutilation of
The dead might well be made the subject
OF representation to the powers as a viola
tIon OF civilized warfare were it the policy
of this government to recognize the inter-
est OF any foreign government in this war
Such representations are not likely to he
made. however, as this government does
rot intend to invite foreign Intervention in
any way. nor TO give any excuse for 1t to
be offered. The knowledge of the savage
methods adopted by the Spanish will merely
serve - regulate our own conduct and as
warning that we cannot rely on civilized
methods from barbarous soldiery which
during the protracted struggle of the Gu
bans for independence, has whetted it's
appetite for blood by the murder of women
and children and defenseless old men. 1t
comes as d timely warning.
~ Us expected that the fall of Santiago
will follow speedily after the landing of the
troops. but it is not intended that any such
haste shall be made as will subject our
troops To repeated ambush, and give oppor-
tunlties for Spanish deeds of barbarity
The purpose will be to corral the entire
Spanish force in that vicinity. so that when
the surrender occurs there shall not be left
In the neiShbOrhood any wandering bands
OF guerriilas To attack exposed outposts and
commit depredations.