Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1898-08-11
WAR;

VAn---T EAV6.
The war has been steadily progress
! ing, though 1t is to be regretted that
any one is to be killed with peace SO
near at hand. Gen. Miles is pressing
on San Juan.
Peace is assured. The reply is now
,, in the hands of the President. and
whilst details are to be arranged it is
sure that Spain has accepted our
terms with right to discuss and ar
range various points. 1t is certain
| that an armistice will be declared this
week, which will practically end. the
| fighting. What becomes of the Phil
| ippines is not known, but we must
await developments. A peace COM
mission will be appointed and the
Senate may be convened at an early
day to accept the treaty. The Span
ish Cortez will also be convened to
coded us the territory demanded.
Americans have captured Cabejas,
the Lighthouse station of San Juan.
They have also captured the light
house at Cape San Juan, Oh the north
east coast OF the island, thirty miles
| from the Porto Rican capital.
The whole eastern part of Porto Rico
is now under the stars and stripes. No
serious resistance has been encounter
ed by the invaders.
Captain General Macias has issued a
Proclamation denying that Spain has
sued for peace and stating that he can
drive the Americans from San Juan,
as he did before, referring to the bonn
bardment by Admiral Sampson. His
daughter is helping to drill the Span
ish troops.
A special cablegram from Madrid
states that the Spanish government has
given orders that Captain General
Macias shall not force resistance to the
utmost, Spain realizing that the Amer
leans are bound to win Porto Rico.
1t is stated at the War Department
in Washington that up to this time the
officials are thoroughly satisfied with
General Miles conduct of the Porto
Rican campaign. They do not Eesi-
tate to admit that the events which
have occurred since his landing at
" u1hASeb luiy Ouc
by him in the carefully laid plans of
the department for the conduct of the
campaign.
General Miles cabled to the War De-
partment that Colonel Woodward,
Lieutenant Colonel Chaffin and three
otner prominent officers of the Sixth
Massachusetts, Regiment have resign
ed. They were accused of incompe-
tency ond were ordered before an ex-
amining board, but rather than stand
the examination they presented their
designations.
The report of Major.General Joseph
Wheeler on the operations of the army
before Santiago has been made public,
General Wheeler describes the assault
and capture of the most formidable
Spanish works on the crest of the hill
overlooking Santiago, and commends
the gallantry Of the officers and men.
Captain Clark, the commander of the
battleship Oregon, has been adjudged
by medical board untitled for furth
er duty at present on account of physi--
cal disability. He will be sent home
for rest and treatment. Admiral Samp.
son will probably designate Captain
Barker, now in command of the New
ark, to command the Oregon, subject
to the approval of the Navy Depart
ment.
Secretary of War Alger has directed
the immediate removal of General
Skaters army from Santiago. Several
cavalry regiments have been ordered
to be ready to go on transports to day.
Eighteen transports are expected at
Santiago in a few days, including a
number of vessels which were used to
carry troops to Porto Rico. All the
men at Santiago will first be examined
by medical board and suspicious
cases will be left in the hospital.
General Toral has reported to Gen
eral Shafter that the Spanish prison
ers' camp near Santiago is unhealthy,
and that there are twelve deaths daily.
The total number of sick of the army
at Santiago on Thursday, was 1854
OF these 2,54S had fever. Five hundred
and two new cases Of fever were deyel
oped on August 4, on which date there
were fourteen deaths.
A small American force, it is said,
can easily capture the important sea
port of Manzanillo, Cuba. The Span
lsh forts there are reported to be weak
and the garrison amounts to only
about 8, 500.
The American troops in Porto Rico
have begun q general advance on San
Juan. The army is moving in four
columns.
The troops have captured Guayamo,
an important town in Porto Rico. 1t |
was occupied by the brigade of Gen.
Peter G. Haines, who, when the war
broke out, was stationed in Baltimore
in charge of engineering work for the |
government. An official dispatch to |
Madrid states that seventeen Span
iards were killed in defending the |
town. General Miles reports that |
three Americans were wounded.
Roosevelt's Rough Riders, the First
Regular Calyery and other commands
have sailed from Santiago for the
camp which is being prepared for
them at Montauk Point, L. I.
Until most of the Spanish prisoners
1T Santiago have sailed for home it
will be necessary to retain a garrison
If 5000 men in that city in addition to
'he immune regiments which will be
'ent there. Great pressure is being
brought to bear upon the War De
3artment to secure the early embark
iation of the volunteer regiments at
Santiago.
General Skaters report on the sani-
AIRY condition of his army showed
hat the total number of sick on Aug.
th was 1851, of whom z, 1913 had fever
twenty one deaths occurred OH Aug.
tn and 9th including eight from yell ,
ow fever. On August /, 431 new cases
# fever were developed.
Rear Admiral Sampson has written
0 the Secretary of the Navy stating
hat dispatch which represented :
Schley as saying it was
ossible for the fleet to have entered i.
he harbor at Santiago despite the {
1ines, was false in every particular !
lie said Commodore Schiey had volun- q
ntarily called upon him and denied =
hat he made such statement. s
PEACE,