The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1898-07-20
Washington Letter.
lrrom onr reoalor CorresnondentN

Washington, D. c., July 17.-Since
this morning, the inspiring
star-spangled beauty Of "Old Glory"
has been Haunting over the ramparts
Of surrendered Santiago de Cuba. At
that hour some $4,000 Spanish troops
laid down their arms and submitted
to the terms CT the surrender. They
are to be transported back to Spain
by the United States, according to
the terms Of the surrender-a condi
ton never known to enter into the
terms of surrender before in the
whole range of history. And COM
pliance with that term of the capitu-
lation is giving the Administration no
little concern; since, it is manifestly
impolitic to undertake their transfer
ia American bottoms, as that would
require a convey OF warships to pre-
vent the destruction of the transports
by the Spanish after they had reached
the Peninsula Kingdom, bids will
have to be invited from neutral ships.
Under international law, their trans
portation in neutral bottoms would
render them sacred against Spanish
molestation. The problem OF feed
ing the troops in the meantime is also
giving some concern. It is not
thought advisable to let this out by
contract as the great Government OF
the United States cannot afford to
suffer its prisoners of war to be only
half fed while it is responsible for
them. These troops are virtually
paroled prisoners OF war-aud under
their parole they are not to take up
arms again against the United States
during the present war. Admiral
Cevera is paroled prisoner OF war;
but he is being accorded the court
estes due to lis rank. In fact, he is
being treated almost like a royal
guest, instead of beng treated in any
way harshly He has comfortable
quarters at the United States Naval
Academy, Annapolis, Maryland,
where all the officers OF the Navy are
extending to him every courtesy that
would be due his rank were he a vlsl-
tor and not prisoner of war. His
surroundings and the natural beauty
OF the location combine to render his
soiourn there holiday rather than a
punishment. 1t is peculiarly fitting,
however, that we should treat him 50.
He is an accomplished and very court
eous ard chivalrlc oficer-the pride
of the Spanish Nayy-the pride Of
the nation which is reputed to be tle
most courtly on earth: and It Is a
feather in our cap to excel IN our
courtesy to him anything ever known
before in tie annals of international
warfare. The United States is teaching
the whole world lessons in the science
of civilized warfare. In battle, our
ships and armies show no quarter;
but we extend every honorable and
tender consideration to a fallen foe.
That is commendable and admirable
in a private individual-how much
more so in great nation, like ours?
We are great enough and brave
enough to set an honorable example
for the whole world.
It is estimated that it will cost US
about s45 per head to transport these
troops back to Spain, besides rations
for some fifteen days, or not less than
81, 100000 in all. But even this is
cheaper than taking Santiago de Cuba
bv storm. 1t would have cost at
least that much money to have fought
the great battle which would have
been necessary to take the city by
siege, not to mention the great loss
of life which would have resulted
therefrom; besides, it teaches the
whole world commendable lesson in
the science of civilized warfare. But
it is not unlikely that the taking Of
Santiago will prove dear victory for
US. 1t is the last place on the Island
of Cuba which we should have at
tempted to take, for it will cost US
more men to hold it than it would
have taken to whip the whole Spanish
army, if all the reports about It be
true. 1t is said to be a veritable
cesspool Of disease-the most deadly
spot in Cuba. And, if that be true,
it seems hard to find any wisdom OF
generalship in singing it out for cap
ture as the first important foothold
on the Island. Most people think
that Havana should have been the
main objective point from the start,
and the most cogent reasons seem to
favor those who share this view. II
Spain does not sue for immediate
peace Porto Rico will be next taken,
although our purpose, in the begin
ming was to free Cuba. The war has
been DETECTED far away from the
ostensible original purposes held in