Mesa free press., 1898-09-02

cials here to realize that they are not
absolute masters of the island, but it
is thought likely that this fact will
shortly be impressed upon them in an
unmistakable manner If they persist
in their actions in restraining trade.
/ The latest decision arrived at by the
local government is to prohibit all
coasting trade with ports occupied by
J. the Americans, but the effect of the
order cabled to Blanco from Madrid
today will be to nullify this.
A cable from Manila dated the 18th
gives the latest list of casualties of the
American forces during the attack on
Manila, placing the number OF dead at
| twelve, as follows Capt. Richter,
Priyates Dunsmore and O'Neill, First
California; Sergts. Crimmins and
Holmes, Astor battery; Privates Nc
Cam and Howell, Fourteenth regu-
lars: Bugler Patterson, Thirteenth
Minnesota; Private Phoenix, First Col
orado: Private Trollen, Twenty-third
regulars; Private Enfield, Third regu-
lars. William Lewis Nebraska volun-
teers. A few men are missing.
The only news that has been allowed
TO be published at Havana in connec-
ton with the peace negotiations is the
fact that the protocol had been signed
The greater part of the public are, Of
course, entirely ignorant Of the official
conditions, but have well-defined sus-
picion of what the demands of the
United States are. It is generally known
that Cuba is lost to Spain and the feel
ing, particularly among government
officials and the military, is very bit
ter. The latter maintain that they
could hold Havana against any forces
the United States might bring against
the city.
It has been Admiral Dewey's hope
since he destroyed the Spanish fleet
in Manila bay without the loss of a
single life, that he would be able to
effect the surrender of the city in an
equally bloodless fashion, and, so far
as his own command is concerned,
this has been accomplished. All lives
that were lost in the capture Of the
city was due, principally, to the precip-
itate action Of the army, whose haste
to advance was in opposition to Ad-
miral Dewey's advice. Astor's noun
tain battery distinguished itself for
bravery in the encounter, and lost two
men killed, with several wounded. 1t
shelled the Spaniards out Of the block
house on the onter line. The Span
iards retreated and hid in houses and
behind barricades, where they fought
most stubbornly. Astor's battery ad-
vanced with two guns TO within seven
/ ty-five yards of the barricade, and
then charged with drawn pistols, driv-
! ing the enemy out The city is being
policed with the Oregon regiment. It
was the Oregon men who received the
surrender of the Spanish arms. Gen.
Merritt will soon issue a proclama-
tion announcing military government
| for Manila. With the exception Of
| the destruction of number Of armed
launches and boats after the surrender,
and the burning of the gunboat Cebu,
at the mouth of the Pasig river, the
Spaniards destroyed none of their
property All arms, ammunition and
other government property are in ex-
cellent condition. The Americans have
not been able to ascertain the number
of Spaniards killed and wounded, but
there is no doubt that it is large, COM
pared to our losses.
The publication at Madrid of the
protocol produced keen disappoint-
ment so far as it refers to the Philip
pines, where it had been hoped Spain
would preserve her sovereignty intact.
Clause of the protocol dispels this
i11,.ciny1 EohOino nuh1ia fno1inO tho
independent and opposition papers Bit
terly criticise l.le clause as affording
pretext for curtailing Spanish sover-
eighty in an archipelago where con-
troll or interference of foreign pow
er would make the natives ungoverna-
BILE. Ell Heraldo wants to know how
America proposes to make the Cubans
and Philippine insurgents agree to a
suspension of hostilities and keep them
in leash until the evacuation of the
islands by the Spaniards is completed.
Ell Nacional says: "We would rather
loose the Philippines altogether than
to submit to American tutelage." The
other papers discuss the probability of
the abolition of the colonial offices, de-
claring that total loss of the Philip
pines would be preferable to Ameri-
can partnership or control. All the
adversaries of the present cabinet find
fault with the protocol because the
fifth clause allows until October for the
meeting of the peace commissioners,
and stipulates that when a definite
treaty is concluded it shall be ratified
according to extant rules of each coun-
try, thus furnishing Sagasta with a
plausible pretext for adjourning the
convocation of the cortes until he has
treaty of peace to put before them.
The French conduct of the negotia-
tions for peace is regarded as clear
stroke of French diplomacy. It is un-
derstood that high decorations will be
conferred upon those concerned.
THANKSGIVING.