Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1898-07-21

Spain closed when the Spanish colors
gave place over Santiago to the Amer
lean flag. Next will follow the trans
portation of the Spanish troops back
to their native land and the capture OF
the island of Porto Rico, unless peace
soon intervenes. The seige of Santiago
had lasted two weeks and was remark
able in many respects, and in none more
than the heavy percentage OF loss
through death and sickness of soldiers
and sailors engaged on both sides.
| Looking back over the record OF these
two weeks it is seen that great iron
| clad Spanish squadron has been de
stroyed, that nearly 1000 Spanish sail
ors have been drowned or killed by
shell and flame, and that an untold
number of Spanish soldiers have dice
in the trenches of Santiago. On the
other hand about $50 American soldiers
have been killed, and, in round num-
bers, 1000 more have been sent to the
| hospitals from wounds, fevers and
| other ailments. Our fleet had a remark
able exemption from disaster in the
many engagements it has had with the
forts at the entrance of the harbor and
with the Spanish squadron.
The territory surrendered to us by
Gen. Toral makes about 5000 square
miles. The Spanish soldiers to be sent
to Spain is estimated at $4,000 men.
The statement that the Spanish prop
osition embraces all eastern Cuba
from Acerraderos to Sagua is important
| in that it shows the surrender to en-
! brace all the harbor and contiguous
! territory of Santiago. 1t does not in
clude Holguin and Manzanilio, where
the Spaniards are reported to have con-
siderable bodies of soldiers, as these
! places are to the west of the surren-
! dered zone. The territory includes a
population exceeding 125, 900 when the
country is in its normal state. 1t in
| cludes the important cities of Santiago
de Cuba, Guantanamo, Sagua de
! Panama, and Baracoa. 1t is exceed
ingly rich in minerals, sugar and cof-
fee. The large iron and copper mines
at Juragua, Baiquiri and vicinity are
owned by American companies. In
! the Guantanamo district are extensive
plantations. Baracoa carried on an
extensive fruit trade with the United
States. The line begins at Acerra-
! deros, about u miles west of Santiago
harbor, and then runs due north about
! % miles to Palma Sorians. Had the
! line continued due north it would have
passed west of Holguin, thus taking
the Spanish garrison at that point.
Evidently Gen. Toral wishes to avoid
the inclusion of Holguin so the line
turns to the northeast of Palma and
runs to the coast town of Boca del
Sagua. The extreme length of this
surrendered trast is about 40, extreme
width about so miles, and is rugged
mountainous country. Santiago, with
its fine harbor, is the main point, while
Guantanamo is second in Importance.
Great attention will now be given to
the care of our sick and fever-stricken
soldiers on the island. In the opinion
of the army surgeons the sick can be
best treated by removal to the high
ground back of the southern coast,
where the heat is less severe and where
recovery could proceed without fear of
!
the army. Secretary Alger is anxious
to bring the entire army back as soon
as it can be done with safety to the
men themselves without jeopardy to
other troops in Florida and to the
public. The active preparations made
to deal with the emergency are such
that it is felt the question of disease
can be COPIED with successfully, now
that the military situation has been
simplifed
The plan of the war department for
returning the surrendered army OF
Gen. Toral to Spain will not necessi-
tate the use of American vessels. II
is the purpose of the department to ask
for proposals from all steamship com.
panies which desire to compete FOR
transporting the Spanish troops &c
Spain, and the most advantageous bid
will be accepted. The advices of Gen.
Shafter state that the number of Span.
! ish prisoners to be between 10, 900 and
| $1,000.
Secretary Of War Alger says that the
Porto Rican expedition would go for
ward Immediately. 1t will comprise
new men entirely. The warriors in
the trenches before Santiago have
distinguished themselves. and it is not
deemed prudent to bring them in
unnecessary contact with new troops
in view of the danger of spreading
contagion. The sick soldiers will be
nursed back to health and brought
to the United States as soon as they
can be safely moved. Immune regi-
ments will be ordered TO Santiago to
garrison the town, and two of these
regiments are already under orders to
proceed. The Porto Rican expedition
will be commanded by Gen. Miles in
person. though Gen. Brooke, now in
command at Camp Thomas, is expected
to be in his main dependence. The
size of the expedition will depend upon
Gen. Miles wishes, although it is
believed that $4,000 men will be sufli-
icient for the purpose. At San Juan
the navy will be of greater assistance
than it was at Santiago, owing to the
possibility of approaching the town
more closely without risking contact
4 with minas The axpariopoa ,ro;rad