Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1898-06-28

threatens 1000 Spanish troops at Man
zanillo. In Santiago there are believed
to be 5000 Spanish soldiers, with such
requirements as are had by the con-
centration movement now in progress.
Trying to Cut Last Cable.
Washington, June 25.-The island of
Cuba is, to the best knowledge of the
officials here, still connected with the
outside world with only one cable save
those crossing to Key West, and the
war department, through Gen. Greedy,
is not relaxing its efforts to cut that
last link This runs into the island at
Santiago crossing from Kingston,
Jamaica, and belongs to an English
company. For several weeks past it has
been known that this cable was in
working order and the ST. Louis has
been trying desperately to cut it, In
addition, the cable steamer Mancel is to
be assigned to the task, and between
the two it is hoped that the cable will
soon be cut. The difficulties in the way
of accomplishing this are much greater
than in the case of any of the other
Cuban cables.
Sampson Denies Mutilnttoh.
Washington. June 25.-In response to
telegram from the navy department,
requesting definite information con-
corning the alleged mutilation of the
bodies of the four marines killed in the
outpost Of Guantanamo. Admiral Samp-
son has wired Secretary Long as fol-
lows.
playa del Este, June 24.-ReplSing to
your dispatch have to report that carer
full investigation has been made, and 1t Is
reported to me that the apparent mutila-
ton was probably due to the effect of some
small-caliber bullet fired at short range,
and withdraw the charge of mutilation.
"(Signed, SAMPSON"
Peace Conditt0as.
Madrid. June 25.-The Correspond
encia of this city publishes report to
the effect that the peace conditions
suggested by the government of the
United States include the possession
by the United States of the island of
island of Cuba under ID protectorate of
The United States, the establishment of q
naval station for United States war
ships in the Philippine islands and the
establishment of coaling depot for
United States wnrships in the Canary
islands.
The TOpOEraphical situation.
On Board the Press Dispatch Boat
Dauntless, oM Jaragua, Province of
Santiago de Cuba, Thursday, June %,
via Kingston. Jamaica, June 24.-Now
that the American land forces are
threatening the city of Santiago de
Cuba.t the topographic condition prevail
Ing in that vicinity becomes interesting.
Baiquir;. where the first landing was
headquarters were last night, are both
small coast towns in the throat of narr
row cuts through range of low hills
fringing all the southern coast. Bal
quiri is IL miles east of Santiago. and
Jaragua is eight miles east of that city
by the coast line road which runs be
hind the hills twice as far.
1t is called here a wagon road. but
it is only practicable for heavy, two
wheeled carts. having six bullocks
yoked to them tandem fashion and
drawing very small load.
The pioneers report that the trail is
practicable for artillery and pack
trains, but it is unspeakably bad even
for walking, though it is reasonably
level.
All the Small Hills Passed.
Our. frCpAs yoya now ,>oecal %ba
small hills intervening between here
and Santiago. The remaining IL miles
by road is over practically level coun.
try, with more chances for open order.
So far, however. the road has been
walled, and in most places over
arched ithimpregnable jungle growth,
thorns and creepers, smelling like the
interior of fragrant, overheated con-
servatory and picturesque with splashes
of tropical color in oleanders and other
flowers, but terrible for troops.
For half a mile near Demajayabo, a
a small stream runs in the road and the
men have been compelled to walk in
the water. incidentally. the medical adj
vice about wet feet, night winds or
perspiration-soa bodies and the
necessity of boiling drinking water has
already been thrown to the winds.
Easy as the advice sounds at home, it is
almost impossible tosfollow it here.
Some of the American officers who
are familiar with Arizona say they have
never seen soldiers on the plains pre-
sent such pictures of distress from the
heat, and they add that the only won
der is that there are so few pros ira
tons at present.
The American stature and apparent
stamina are remarkable in comparison
with the Cubans and Spaniards. The
colored soldiers of the Twenty-fifth
and Tenth regiments are uniformly
large, and they seem black giants in the
jungle alongside the tiny negro Cuban
guides.
Adopt Conference Report.
Washington, June 25.-The senate
Saturday adopted the conference report
upon the sundry civil appropriation bill
as reported by Senator Allison. twas de-
cided to meet at IL o'clock Monday by
vote of AZ to ~, the minority being
opposed to Hawaiian annexation. SEN
ator Turley then took the floor and op-
posed annexation.