Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1898-07-15
LATEST WAR NEWS.

News from the army before Santiago dur.
ing the past week has been rather unsatis-
factory, and up to Thursday morning lead
ing TO no definite result
A dispatch from the 'front.' dated the 18th
instant, says: The miserable little town OF
Siboney lies in ashes to night. 1t was des-
troyed under the orders Of the army health
authorities Almost every building OF the
fifty which struggled along the irregular
bluff was set on fire during the day, and the
Cuban inhabitants have fed to the caves in
the overhanging hillside for shelter.
The action was taken at the urgent re.
quest Of Major Legard of the hospital corps
and served the joint purpose of Kidding the
hospital camp of the unhealthy and dirty
buildings and driving. away scores Of Cuban
followers, whose presence was serious in
convenience to the hospital workers
The burning of the houses also extended
along the trail to the front, and numerous
blockhouses were destroyed, together with
dwellings.
The men Of General Lawton's division
on Tuesday cut large water main, which
is believed TO be the source of the water sup
ply OF Santiago de Cuba. The main en-
tered the city from the northeast, and is the
largest one yet found. A stream of pure
water as large as mans body has poured
from the pipe since ii was cut, and has
proved valuable to the Americans.
A dispatch from Manila, via Hong Kong,
dated July 18th, says: The insurgents on
Wednesday, July 9, reported that the Ger
man gunboat Irene, In Subig bay, refused to
permit them to attack the Spaniards on
Grande Island.
Rear Admiral Dewey promptly dispatched
the United States cruisers Raleigh and Con
cord to investigate the matter On entering
Subig bay the Raleigh opened FIRE on the
forts, whereupon the Irene slipped her cable
aud steamed out by the other channel. The
result OF the fire of the American warship
was that the Spaniards, numbering over 500
men, surrendered everything.
On returning TO Manila the Irene OF plain
ed that she interiered "in the cause OF hu.
mainly" and offered to hand over to the
Americans the refugees she had on board.
Admiral Dewey, however, declined to &C.
cept them.
The United States proposes To use this
incident TO find out the plans OF Germany
with regard to the Philippines.
Governor General Augustine has issued a
proclamation promising to grant autonomy
to the islands and offering the insurgents
inducements to join the Spanish forces.
Gen. Aguinaldo, the insurgent leader, In re.
ply said the overtures of the Spanish com.
mander came too late.
Secretary Long has accorded the captured
Spanish officers the privilege Of communi
eating freely with their friends and families
in Spain by cable, under proper precautions
TO prevent the sending OF any information
touching the war In consequence the nav
igation office has been fairly flooded with
the numerous cablegrams submitted for in.
spection before dispatch.
A dispatch from Key West says that a
Cuban who just escaped from Havana saws
that General Blanco attempted suicide on
learning Of the complete destruction of Ad.
miral Cervera's feet. He was 10 bis palace
with bis staff and General Arolas When the
effort was made, and. was disarmed with
difficulty. For several days he was con.
fined 70 his bed
A special dispatch from Madrid repre-
SCENTS Senior Sagasta, the prime minister, as
saying openly that the moment for peace
negotiations had come. 1t Is believed that
the government Is only waiting for the fall
of Santiago 10 ask for peace.