Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1898-08-04
PEACE
TERMS
ncKinIey Will Doubtless
Give Up the
Philippines.
But Well Retain Self
Sustaining Coaling
Station There.
General Skaters Troops
to Be Brought Back
Home.

Washington, July 29.-Secretary of
State Day was closeted with the pres
ident less than half an hour Thursday
afternoon over the response to SPANS
note suing for peace. When he left
the white house, Day announced that
the reply of this government would be
given Spain today or tomorrow.
Meantime it's tenor, SO far as the ad
ministration is able to do so, will be
closely guarded from the public.
The terms which the United States
government will find acceptable as a
basis of peace were the formal subject
of interest and discussion Thursday
In official circles. About the only
point that seems to be open to amend
ment of extensive character is the dis
position of Philippines. While the
notice of the extent of the demand for
their acquisition by the United States,
as exhibited in certain sections Of the
country, it can be stated that the con-
clusiOn has been reached to abide by
the first decision on this point, name
ly to relinquish the islands, retaining
a ccaling station there surrounded
by a sufficient zone of land to make il
self supporting. There was a display
Of Indignation in official circles Thurs
day upon the publication of what was
reported at best as an attempt by the
Spanish premier to impute bad faith
to the United States. However, this
feeling soon wore off as it became ap-
parent upon reflection that the state
ment was either apocryphal, or if
genuine it was simply one in a series
of complex moves in Spanish politics
intended for purely home consump-
ton.
the close of the day that the newspa-
pers there had given approval to the
terms of peace ascribed to the pres
ident went towards relieving a Ger
tain feeling of encouragement mani
tested at the opening of the day.
Secretary Alger is going to remove
the troops under Skaters command
now encamped on the outskirts of
Santiago, to a tract of land adjoin-
ing Montauk point, Long Island,
which has been offered to the govern
ment as suitable for large encamp-
ment. The time for their removal is
left to Shafter, the only limitation
being placed on him is that he shall
not delay the homeward sailing of the
troops beyond the moment when it
shall be safe for them to leave San
tiago, having regard to the fever con-
ditions. Meanwhile, the work is be-
ing hurried Of sending immune troop5
to supply a force to garrison Santiago
as long as it may be necessary to
continue troops there. No word
came from Gen. Miles Thursday and
the war depar ment assumes that he
is pursuing his advance across the
island of Porto Rico towards San
Juan.
The war department has awarded
a contract for furnishing beef to the
troops in Porto Rico to Swift & Co.
of Chicago. The price is $3.50 per
100 pounds.
The war department Thursday nigh
posted the following:
Santiago, July 27.-The condition
of the troops here is: Total sick, A.
122; total fever, 9,193; new cases of
fever, S22; cases of fever returned to
duty, 542. Deaths, Private j. H.
Farrell, Co. H, 9th Massachusetts
volunteers, at Siboney, yellow fever;
Corporal Robson, Co. D, oath infantry
Siboney, yellow fever; Private Will
liam H. Byers, Co. D, 18th infantry
cerebral apoplexy. -Shafter.'