Evening Star Newspaper, June 29, 1898, Page 1

THE EVENI ee pers PUBLISHED DAILY EXCEPT SUNDAY. AT THE STAR BUILDINGS, JIC) Fenneylvoria Avene, Cor. 11th St, by The Bening Say Mere Goneay Few York ( Office, » 49 Pottor ‘The Evenirg Star fs served to subscribers In the aity by crrriers, on thetc own account. at 10 cents T week. or 44 cents per month. Copies at the cccater 2 certs each. By mafl—anywhere in the United States «r Canada—postage prepald—S0 cents per month. Saturday Quinto; aly Star, $1 per year, with foretzn postage a iat Washington, D.C. ze |. $8. (Entered at the Po t Office as sec md-clise mail matter. or an subscriptions must be paid {n advance. Rates of advertising made known on applicstior. — Che Loe a Star. “Na 14,143, WASHINGTON, D. C., WEDNESDAY, ‘JUNE 29, 1898-TWELVE PAGES. TWO CENTS. THE STAR BY MAIL. Persons leaving the city for any Ferlod can have The Star mailed to them to any address in the United States or Canada, by ordering it at this office, in person or by lettef. Terms: 13 cents per week; 25 cents for two weeks, or 50 cents per month. Invariably in advance. Sub- ecribers changing their address from ene Post-office to another should five the last address as well as the new one. HE WILL NOT WAIT Shafter Expects to Take Santiago as Soon as He is Ready. HAS LANDED ALL HIS ARTILLERY Reports Spanish Troops Marching From Manzanillo. ACTION’EXPECTED SOON Se Gen. Shafter reports from Cuba that he will not wait for reinforce- ments, but will take Santiago as soon as he is ready to move. Gen. Shafter ha$ reported that 8,000 Spanish troops are advancing om Manzanillo and are within fifty-four miles of Santiago. The Senate passed a resolution ex- tending the thanks of Congress to Lieut. Newcomb for gallantry in ac- tion at Cardenas, providing medals for himselfand crew. Capt. Hodgsdon of the McCulloch was retired with full pay. The Senate adopted a vote of thanks to Lieut. Hobson and his associates on the Merrimac and au- thorized his transfer to the lire. Assistant Secretary of the Navy Allen and Gen. Greely had a confer- ence with the President today in re- gard to the laying of a goverment cable line from Santiago direct to Key West. No disquiet is felt by the officials as to the attitude of Germany at Manila. More concern is entertained regarding the natives of the Philip- pines. Capt. P. H. Cooper has been se- lected to command the Chicago. In the nominations sent to the Senate today Lieut. Bernadou was advanced ten numbers for eminent and conspicuous conduct in the Cardenas fight May 11. Gen. Shafter has reported to Gen. Miles that he can take Santiago in forty-eight hours, but indicates that the undertaking might Involve considerable loss. It is be- lieved here that he intends to take the town immediately, and that news of a bat- tle may be expected at any time. General Shafter has reported two im- pertant developments in the military sit- uation at Santiago. First, he reports, that he expects to take the city as soon as he gets ready to move, and that he will not wait for reinforcements. Second, he re- ports that Spanish reinforcements, num- bering 8,000, accompanied by pack trains and large droves of animals, are advanc- ing from Manzanillo to the relief of San- tego, and are now fifty-four miles from that eity. A number of dispatches have been re- ceived from Gen. Shafter covering all the details of the present military - situation. Some of them are to the Secretary of War, and others to Maj. Gen. Miles. They cover substantially the same ground, but the most essential features bearing on the strategic situation are the two above enumerated. He refers only briefly to his determination to strike quickly, and said that he expected to take the place as soon as he could get ready to move, and that reinforcements would not reach him. The reinforcements referred to is the large bedy of troops now moving from Tampa and Newport News. A small de- tachment, under Gen. Duffield, has already arrived, but the larger part, comprising some 12,000 mem will not reach Santiago for some days. It is evidently Gen. Shaf- ter’s purpose not to wait for these men, but to make the attack before the 8,000 Spanish troops approaching from the west can reach the city. The statement that they are now but fifty-four miles from Sentlago is the most definite information thus far received. It is about one hundred mbes from Manzanillo to Santiago, so that the Spanish forces had covered about one- half the distance at the time they were lceated by the American officers. This was probably a day or two ago, for Gen. Stafter’s dispatch was sent last night, and in the meantime the Spaniards have advanced considerably further. The droves of cattle which the Spanish army is bringing slong shows a purpose to lay in ample fresh meat in anticipation of a siege. This and the pack trains ham- per a rapid advance, but even with a bad road, the Spaniards will probably make from ten to twenty miles a day. Much re- liance has been placed on Gen. Garcia's Cubans to prevent this advance of rein- forcements from the left. But it appears that Garcia’s entire force has been with- drawn from the left, and has now been landed with Gen. Ehafter’s main body on the right of the city. Transfer of Cubans. Gen. Shafter also reports the details of this transfer of Garcia’s forces. He says the transfer from Asceraderos covered fifty miles, and that 3,000 of Garcia’s troops were landed on the right of the harbor, making in all over 4,000 Cubans concen- trated with the American troops on the wight of the city. He does not mention specifically, whether any Cubans remain to the left, but the inference is plain from Bis detailed report on the transfer of Cubans to the riglt, that most, if not all, of them accompanied Garcia in the trans- fers. This move was doubtless made be- fore word had reached Gen. Shafter that the Spanish reinforcements were fifty-five miles to the left of Santiago, else it is felt that Gecia’s forces would have been kept on the left to hamper the advance of the Spaniards, and if pessible hold them back. Whether this can be done now is prob- lematie. From the fact that Gen. Shafter reports that he will take the city as soon as he can get ready to move, before reinforce- time for the Spanish troops from Man- zanillo to reach the city. The unofficial reports have been con- flicting as to thé movements of this Span- ish force from Manzanillo. Some of the press reports have stated that the advance was being made; others have flatly denied it. But it is clearly the judgment of the officers with Gen. Shafter, as shown by their official reports, that they accept the view that the reinforcements are on the way and have covered half the distance. The First Engagement. General Shafter’s various dispatches also contained much information on other fea- tures of the military situation. He ex- presses the warmest thanks for the con- gratulatiens sent to him by the President, and those of the commanding general, Gen- eral Miles. He refers to the recent affair in which the rough riders and cavalrymen participated as “unimportant.” He says only 964 of our men were engaged, but it was very decisive in our favor, the enemy retreating precipitately. General Shafter Says that the lack of cavalry was all that prevented the capture of the Spanish forces. He expresses the deepest regret at the loss of so many of our brave men. In a vein of ridicule, he refers to reports reaching him from Santiago that the Amer- ican troops were beaten, and that the Spaniards retired only because the Ameri- cans “persisted in fighting.” General Shaf- ter emphasizes the need of horses. In par- ticular he wants horses for the 3d Batta- lion of the Ist Cavalry, and for Colonel Wood's rough riders. He says the horses he carried on the expedition stood the voy- age well. One of the most satisfactory points re- ported by General Shafter is that the last of the artillery has been landed. This means a great deal, as it was feared the loss of the lighter would seriously delay the landing of the heavy artillery. He does not specify that the heavy guns, as well as the light artillery, were landed, but his statement that the last of the artillery was landed yesterday is taken to cover all of the ordnance. With these siege guns on shore General Shafter is now in a position to support the infantry and cavalry with the big guns of the heavy artillery, as well as the lighter field guns. It appears also from the reports that the last of the troops were not landed until yesterday, this occurring simultaneously with the landing of the artillery and the transfer of the Cubans. It was practically the last move in the preparations for actual land operations. General Shafter’s dis- patches speak of the high spirit of the troops, and of their excellent health. They bring out also that the commanding officer is no less in high spirits than his men, for he concludes one of his dispatches with the laconic sentence: “Hope to send favorable reports soon.” Two Dispatches From Shafter. The Secretary of War this morning re- ceived a cablegram from Major General Shafter, dated off Siboney, Cuba, June 27, by way of Playa del Este, June 28, as fol- lows: “The graves of the dead are marked so that there will be no mistake identifi- cation. The health of the command is re- ported to me by the surgeon as remarka- ble outside of the wounded. There are to- day less than 150 men sick. So far no wounded have died and but two men of Gisease since leaving Tampa.” On the 25th instant the Secretary of War sent a telegram to General Shafter, commanding th2 military forces in Cuba, as follows: “The President directs me to send his thanks to you and your army for the gal- lant action of yesterday (battle of La Quasina), which I gladly do.” The following day the Secretary of War received the following telegraphic response from General Shafter at Batquiri, Cuba: “Sincere thanks to the President for his congratulations.” No Report About the Water Works. No official reports bave yet been received here to confirm the statement that Gen- eral Shafter’s troops are ia possession of the water works supy‘ying Santiage. It is rot doubted that the trccps, of course, have ercssed the line of aqueducts and could easily have cut cff the supply to Santiago it it was desirable to do so. But the opin- ion here is that if the pipes have been tap- ped by the American troops it has been dcne with the main purpose of supplying themselves and stock with good drinking water. It is not thotght that there was deliberate purpose to cut off Santiago's water supply, for in the minds of persons best posted on the situation such a method, while causing the poy ulation of the town a@ good deal of discomfort, would be en- tirely ineffectual in hastening the surren- der of Santiago. The country in the rear of Santiago to the northward and westward is said to be well provided with small streams of fresh water, emptying into the bay, and as our trocps so far have not Managed to occupy that territory this source of water supply is still within reach of the Spaniards. Also, it is said that in a city as large as Santiago there is an abundance of steam boilers, which could be very quickly turned into distillers, by which the salt water of the bay could be turned into large quantities of fresh wa- ter. There is an abundance of coal for such purposes, so that altogether it 1s thought here that the chances of reducing Sentiago by starvation are much better than the chances of bringing its surrender through thirst. Permitted by Military Usage. Inasmuch as a disposition has appeared in some quarters to question the right of the American army, under the modern rules of war, to resort to this medieval means of shortening a siege, it can be stated that the military authorities here, after a careful examination of the matter, have reached the conclusion that there is full warrant for cutting off the water sun- ply. It would not be permissible to do ibis if the Spunisa general had led his forces out of the town several miles at least to repel the invaders, out as he has seen fit, according to the reports coming here, to prepare for a defense of the town within its own limits, there is ample authority in precedent for starving the town or cutting off the water as a means of shortening the resistance of the Spaniards. Moreover, ac- cording to the rules of war, it is permis- sible in extreme cases to refuse to allow the besieged general to send non-com- batants out of the town; the theory heing that by forcing him to maintain them his powers of resistance would be diminished. It is known that Gen. Lipares nas been contemplating the removal from SanJago of a number of nos-eombatants. ‘The steamer Aduia, which was at Kingston a day or two ago, is said to haye been seek- ments reach him, it is evident that he | The dispatches from General Shafter in- wishes to strike the blow before there is (Contin on Second AT THE WHITE HOUSE/#4V4NA4 SENOS NEWS/GEN, MERRITT LEAVES A Oonference With Assistant Secre- tary Allen and Gen. Greely. A TIRECT CABLE FROM SANTIAGO The Project Discussed at Length With the President. SOME OF TODAY’S CALLERS ————— President McKinley was up untii well after 1 o'clock this morning going over the war situation with Secretary Alger. Adjt. Gen. Corbin also was with him until a late hour. During the time the three were to- gether at the White House there was some informal discussion of the situation, and subs2quently it was stated positively that the dispatch of reinforcements from here would not cause Gen. Shafter to delay any plans ke may have fermulated. The Presi- dent frequently of late has been sitting up until an early hour in the morning watch- ing the developments and waiting for news from the army in Cuba. Both Secretary Alger and Adjt. Gen. Corbin are usually with him until a late hour on thes occa- sions. As a result of the late hour at which he retired, President McKinley was unusuelly late in beginning work today. More Stringent Blockade. Assistant Secretary Allen of the navy and Gen. Greely of the Signal Corps were at the White House for a long time this morning. Their conference with the Pres dent prevented many visitors seeing the chief executive. The President is understood to desire that the newly proclaimed blockade of the southern ports of Cuba shall be so effect- ive as to leave no question. For that rea- son he wanted to ascertain how many ves- sels the navy can spare to maintain this blockade. Owing to the fact that Secre- tary Long is again suffering from a sprain- ed muscle of a leg the conference was with the assistant secretary. The President and all of his military ad- visers are confident that the more thor- oughly the blockade is enforced the shorter and weaker wiil be the resistance to the capitulation of Havana. A Government Cable Line. Another important matter said to have been discussed at the conference was that of a cable line from Santiago to Key West direct. The administration, it is said, does not relish the idea of important telegrams passing through foreign hands, as is the case now. Many messages are now de- layed. General Miles, for instance, received a telegram yesterday frem General Shaf- ter dated two days before. Such delays as this might some time prove fatal. At any time they are likely to be serious. It is said that a cable line direct from Sentiago to Key West could be laid now at comparatively small cost. This line could be used in all future operations along the northern coast of Cuba. Of Great Value. It would be of immense value when are landed for the attack on Havana. It is almost certain that !f it is not decided to lay a line from Santiago to Key West every arrangement will be made to establish a line from American army headquarters to Key West, so soon as a landing for the invasion of Havana is made. loops Oaptain General Blanoo’s Account of Our Army’s Advance, Strange American Ship Chased a Gun- boat and Captured Several Spanish Vessels. (Copyright, 1898, by the.Assoctated Press.) HAVANA, June 28.—(Delayed*in trans- mission.)—It ig said at the palace of the captain general here, the headquarters for official news, that the American forces are finding difficulty in adyancing upon San- tiago de Cuba. It is claimed that they: followed the rail- road track to Juragua from the mines situ- ated a short distance from the coast, be- tween Siboney and Aguadores, but were unable to reach the latter place in spite of the protection afforded by the fire of the warships. The commander of the Spanish gunboat Ardilla reports that while reconnoitering on Jane 26, at Coloma, Punta Cortes, and other places at Coyaela, he was informed that a strange steamer with one smoke- stack, apparently a warship of 3,000 tons, was in sight. The stranger soon caught sight of the Ardilla and pursued her. The gunboat kept within the Blue sea and suc- ceeded in keeping out of range of the guns of her pursuer. To the southeastward the stranger, which turned out to be an Ameri- can ship, appeared to be in company with several other vessels. The Ardilla made a reconnaissance on the following day, June 27, and discovered that the American ship. had captured the slcops Nemesia of Batabano, province of Havana; Amistad and Manuelita of Co- loma, province of Pinar del Rio, and the pilot boats Luz. and Jacinte, It is claimed that when the sloops were sighted the Arerican slip hoisted the Spanish flag, which caused Pilot Joaquin Fernandez of the Luz to hoist the Spanish flag, believing he had to do with a Spanish warship. The pilot also approached the American vessel and did not find out his mistake until a blank shot and afterward loaded shells were fired at the pilot boat. ‘The shells, it is claimed, exploded neaf her. The American ship by this time seemed to have driven the Spanish craft into a bunch, including the Luz, Jacinto, Amistad, Nemesia and Manuelita. The latter, It is further alleged, let go their anchors and were abandoned by their crews, who made for the shore, going in the direction of Punta de Piedras, on the southwestern ex- tremity of Pinar del Rio, between the Isle of Pines and the mainland. The com- mander of the Nemesia, with one of his crew, remained on board his sloop and was captured and taken on beard the American ship. Later he was set, at Hberty, *after having been questioned regarding the Spanish fleet and the general situation of affairs. Ss The American ship is described as carry- ing one gun forward, another at her stern and four guns on each side. She is sald to have been commanded by a “frigate cap- tain” and to have “carried about six hun- dred men, with blue pants and red fringe, who said they were going to Cuba and ai terward to Key West. ————— THE FOURTH IN’ SANTIAGO Hope of Our Soldiers is to Celebrate It There, Expects to Reach Manila Not Later Than August Ist. TERMS OF HIS PROCLAMATION Little Ceremony to Mark His Offi- cial Installation. THE NEXT EXPEDITION wa, SAN FRANCISCO, June 29.—The speedy steamer Newport, bearing Major General Wesley Merritt, military governor of the Philippines, and his staff, besides the As- tor Light Battery and Companies H and K of the 3d United States Artillery and de- tachments from the signal corps, is now on its way to Manila. As the vessel gradually drew away from her dock tcday the blowing of many whis- tles told the people that General Merritt had taken his departure. Great crowds had gathered to witness the departure of the vessel, and many fashionable equipages on the dock told of the presence of the representatives of the “four hundred,” who had come to bid farewell to friends among the members of the Astor Battery. Many tug boats and yachts chartered for the occasion accompanied the Newport down the bay and out through the Golden Gen. Wesley Merritt. Gate to ths Pacific, where the last fare- wells were waved to the departing military men gathered on the deck of the steamer. The Newport will make an effort Lo over- tak2 the third fleet of transports, which sailed on Monday after the flect reaches Honolulu, where the vesseis wili coal and take on fresh supplies before proceeding to Manila, Gen, Merritt 1s very anxious to avoid an encounter with any vessel of the Spanish ravy and will issue orders to the fleet at Honolulu to make all possible speed. It is probable that the Newport will not wait for the other v2ssels of the fleet at Honolulu, but will proceed with as littie Gelay as possible to Mznila. 3 His Expectation. General Merritt expects to reacn Manila by July 25 or August 1 at the very latest. Before his arrival Gen. Greene will have consulted with Admiral Dewey as to the advisability of making.a joint attack on Manila. 3 Gen. Merritt's installation’ a8 . governor general will be attended with’as little cere- mony as possible. In his proclamation he will assure the people that théir forms of worship and churches will not be interfer- ed with. This will be made clear, as will also the fact that property 1s not to be confiscated, in order to offset representa- tions to the contrary which have been made It is sald that there is money at the disposal of the administration for this work. Ships and men are now in the service. A cable line from Santiago will be need- ed for months to come. It would be use- ful in operations against Porto Rico, es- pecially if the operations are directed from Thirty-Four Rough Riders Still Miss- ing—Fish Shot Through the Head. Special Dispatch to The Evening Star. Santiago, as may be the case. The government is now paying out large cable bills each day. Every mes- sage from Playa del Este to New York costs the government $1.05 for each word. With the army and navy both sending and receiving messages the bill will be a heavy ore. The money paid out would go a long way toward paying for the establishment of a cable line owned by the government. Repairs to the Furniture, The furniture in the green and red rooms of the White House has been upholstered tor the first time in several years and pre- sents a pretty appearance. The furniture in the blue room will also be repaired. ‘These rooms have been practically closed to the public for several months. Admis- ston to them is secured only by card from Secretary Porter, and these’ cards admit only between theshours of 12 and 1 o'clock. ‘The practice as to opening these parlors to visitors has differed during the various administrations. During several adminis- trations the rooms were almost as public as the east room, which is visited by hun- dreds of people daily. Some of Today’s Callers. Senators Cullom, Clay, Roach, Spooner, Elkins, Hoar, Lodge, Wetmore, Burrows, Allen, Cannon, Penrose, Platt of Néw- York and Jones of Arkansas were among the callers at the White House today. Some of them did not gat to see the President. The senators have no definite idea as to when Congress will adjourn. All, however, are hopeful that adjournment will not Be de- layed longer than the last of next week. All are anxious to get to their homes. Senator Penrose went to the White House with Samuel Randall, son of the famous democrat and ex-Sp2aker. Young Randall come time ago wanted a political appoint- ment, but he now desires to get into the army. Not Even a Mosquito to Get Through. “We are going to arrange it so that a mosquito cannot run the blockade,” said an official, and this expresses the hope of the Presidmt. The southern coast of Cuba will be dotted with American vessels and they will prevent even the smallest vessel getting into Cuban harbors with relief. The Spanish stories of vessels running the Ha- vana blockade are declared to be false, but the number of ships there will be increased, if necessary. With a stringent enforcement of the new blockade -the administration fails to see how Blanco is to get aid. He will certainly bé in bad condition by the time the inyest- away, and there are chances that by. time Blanco will be forced to surrender in ALTARES, Sunday, June 26, via Playa del Este, June 20.—Our pickets are only three miles outside of the Santiago har- bor defenses. Lawton's division is in pos- session of Sevilla. In the night Wheeler's division guards the railroad from Altares to Morro Castle, the bridge over the Jura- guasita river being thus protected for the movement of artillery. No further ad- vance is contemplated until the artillery arrives. One battery already is on the way from Baiquiri, where the rest is be- ing landed. General Garcia, with 3,50 Cubans, was transported to Altares this morning and was ordered to the front on advance guard. He was greeted with cheers along the line. The hope is to celebrate the Fourth of July in Santiago. The wounded rough riders are doing well. Thirty-four are still unaccounted for. Captain Capron, Hamflton Fish and the rest who fell were buried on the battle- field with an infantry salute. The surgeons doubt that the enemy use | explosive bullets. The, top of Hamilton Fish’s head was taken off. One man's skull appears to have been burst open from within, but at certain ranges the Mauser bullet waggles, tearing the wide, rough wound which suggested an explosive bullet, or mutilation. Pwo strange wounds have been treated. In one, the bullet ri- cocheted along a man’s arm, entering and coming out againin four pleces. Another entered the top of a negro’s shoulder, came out, entered again by athe. collar bone, came out once more, enfered_his neck ané@ passed through the lamyyx. It was ex- tracted on the other sila * The correspondent aa has a hole as big as a peucil sidewise, through his spine, but may live for th of time. The soldiers say that. the rough riders’ battle is the onty oc in on which un- tried volunteers ever fought as well as regulars, The Haitian cable has. been picked up and we expect to make connection tomor- row with Aguadores. ae oe : SPANISH GAME “SUSPECTED. Sampson Notified to Watch the Const- ing Steamer Adula. (Copyright, 1898, by the _ KINGSTON, ‘Jan:aica, coasting steamer Adula Santiago de Cuba and ited Press.) June 29.—The after no civilians will be allowed within the also been forwarded about $8,000 by ex- by agents of Spain. ‘The general has requested the War De- partment to appoint Maj. T. L. Rathbone as his personal representative in San Fran- cisco. The Fourth Expedition. It is believed that the steamers Peru, City of Puebla, Acapulco and State of Cal- ifornia will constitute the fourth expedi- tion for the Philippines. Information was recelved last night from Washington to the effect that the Alameda, due here today from Australia, would not be impressed into the government service. It is said that a fifth and final fleet of transports will leave this port, so that within a month the only United States troops left here will be those assigned to duty for home defense. It is reported from Tacoma, Washington, that the Pacific Coast Steamship Company's steamer Umatilla will be impressed as a Manila transport. She can accommodate from 800 to 1,000 troops, besides carrying §00 tons of freight. Major Hess Relieved. Major Hess of the 34 United States Artil- lery, whe is soon to go before a retiring beard, has been relieved of the command of Camp Miller. His successor is Major Grvgan of the 6th Artillery, who artived on Monday from the east. ‘Information has been received that the 1st New York Volunteer Regiment, organ- ized in New York city, is coming to San Francisco, but whether for guard duty or for work in the Philippines is not yet known. An armed guard has been placed around the hospital at Gamp Merritt, and here- inclosure. This was ordered as a sanitary Precaution. The 5ist Iowa Regiment gave a drill and review at the Mechanics’ Pavilion last night. There was a large attendance and considerable money was netted for the Red Cross Society. ‘Within the last three weeks an average of $500 a day, or a total of $11,000, has been sent away by the soldiers in money orders, nearly all to relatives at home. There has Sent to Their Mothers, as the representative of American publi- cations, has arrived here. The Military Secretary. ATLANTA, Ga., June 29.—Major Geo. P. Scriven, signal officer of the department of the gulf, who was recently appointed mill- tary secretary to Gen. Wesley Meritt, left last night for San Francisco. A Race to Manila. The expeditions for the reinforcement of Admiral Dewey at Manila have been has- tened by the information concerning the movement of the Spanish fleet under Ad- miral Camara. The expedition which will be accompanied by General Merritt will start at once, and the department is entire- ly confident that should the Spanish fleet be permitted to coal and pass through the Suez canal at once, our transports would be able to reach Manila ahead of that fleet. Even if Camara succeeds in getting coal and passing through the canal without fur- ther delay, the race between that fleet and our transports will be extremely exciting, and will be watched with eager interest here. There is no apprehension that Ad- miral Dewey wil not be able to deal with the Camara fleet, reinforced as he is or very soon will be by the first expedition convoyed by the Charleston and by the ar- rival of the Monterey, but it is important that our transports of troops should reach their destination before the appearance of the Spanish fleet in the vicinity of the Philippines, so that they may be free from attack by Spanish vessels. Should the Ca- mara fleet get in ahead of our transports, Admiral Camara, without venturing an at- tack upon Dewey at Manila, might inflict great damage by intercepting the trans- ports, which would be defenfeless. The First Expedition, The officials here are confident that Ad- miral Dewey has received the reinforce- ments under Gen. Anderson, which sailed from San Francisco May 25, consisting of 2,500 men, with supplies for one year, on the City of Pekin, City of Sydney and Aus- tralia. The Charleston certamly has ar- rived, as she was leading the transports gome distance after leaving Honolulu, and with the addition of her 400 sailors and ma- rines Dewey will feel much safer. The Navy Department did not expect, it now appears, to hear of the arrival of the troop transports by the 23d of this month, the date of the last report from Manila. They had estimated that the troop transports might be scmewhat delayed by a consideration for their coal consumption, desiring to avoid reaching Manila with empty bunkers, as would have been the case if they were driven at full steam across the Pacific. Later on there will be a plentiful supply at Manila, as United States Consul Haywood at Honolulu has succeeded in purchasing about 12,000 tons, some of which will be forwarded immediately to the Philippines. No Concern About Germans. Whatever concern is felt here as to Dewey’s position relates rather to the atti- tude of the natives than to that of Ger- many or any other European power. The publication of the semi-official note referred to by an English newspaper this morning has caused no disquiet here, nor has it thrown any new light cn the eltuation. It was stated here positively last week that there have been no diplomatic exchanges between the government of the United States and Germany on the subject of the landing of German forces in Manila, and the semi-official note above referred to merely confirms that statement and shows that the same state of affairs still exists. The declaration in the note of the German intention to land marines “as soon as it may become necessary for the protection of Germans there” is said to be nothing more than a repetition of the provisions of international law on that subject. How- ever, Admiral Dewey would doubtless be consulted as to the existence of such a necessity if the requirements of neutrality are to be observed by Germany, and of that the State Department here entertains no doubt. Nevertheless, it is not disguised here that the administration will feel greatly relieved when the American military forces have all arrived and taken up the occupativa of Manila. There are now afloat just 10,000 United States soldiers destined for the Phii- ippines, and the last of these ieft San Francisco day before yesterday, under com- mand of Gen. Arthur MacArthur. Maj. Gen. Merritt, who has been designated military commandant of the Philippines, was to sail today from San Franciso, with his staff, on the Newport. It is though: to be very probable that no serious .juestion of jurisdiction will arise at the Philippines as between the American forces and the insurgents pending Gen. Merritt's arriva: and the announcement of his purpose to take military control of the islanis. SS A FIGHT TO THE DEATH. The Spaniards Promise to Make It at Manila. MADRID, June 29, 1@ a.m.—Dispatches received from Manila, today, under date of June 24 say the Spaniards are determined to fight to the death and that there is every reason to believe that when the American troops arrive desperate fighting will occur on land and sea. It is proposed at Manila that the Ger- man warshtps will prevent the bombard- ment of that place and it is alleged that Prince Henry of Prussia’ is on his way there on board a warship. The Spaniards are said to be actively pushing preparations ‘for the defense of the city. General Aguinaldo, the insurgent lead- er, declares that the family of Captain General Augusti who are prisoners in his hands, are at Panpanga and are well treated. ee eee NO SIGN OF SPANIARDS. Schooner Kate, With Newspaper Men, . Safely Off Santiago. Special Dispatch to The Evening Star. Cff Santiago de Cuba, June 27 (via King- ston, Jamaica; June 28).—The schooner Kate, with newspaper correspondents on board, arrived here from Key West today. She passed within a mile of Cape Maysi. She saw no sign cf Spaniards. She was brought to by the Dolphin at Styrrup lght- house, and the correspondents were in- formed that only one Spanish gunboat had been sighted by the Dolphin since the outbreak of the war. ———_—_—_—_—_———_______ii.. FROM COL. HARRIES A Statement to The Star About the Food Supply. THE FOLKS AT HOME AKE WARNED “We Can't Build Fighting Men Out of Confectionery.” HINTS HE WANTS HEEDED Special From a Staff Correspondent. TAMPA, Fla., June 20.—The question of food supply for the boys of the District regiment has been one that has caused much annoyance to the officers by reason of letters from anxious parents at home as to what their loved ones at the front are eating. Colonel Harries has received a number of such letters recently, and in order that the fathers, mothers, wives and sweethearts of the boys may rest at ease.on the subject he has asked The Star representative to pub- lish the following statement from him in regard to the situation: “From the day when this regiment went into camp at Alger there has been at least a sufficiency of good food for every man in the command. There was one brief period at Chickamauga when a variety was lacking, but no one was necessarily hungry. The supply of bacon, hard tack and sugar was ample. “Since we came to Tampe even the pro- fessional grumbler has had no cause for complaint. He has gfumbled, of course, because the government fails to supply him with chicken, pineapple, orange: ‘water- melons, lemonade and ice cream and such things, which he deems essential to his welfare, but he has growled without ‘rea- son.” The Breakfasts. “A consolidated daily mess repgrt taken haphazard from a number shows that yes- terday’s company breakfasts had in them catmeal, milk, fresh bread, beefsteak, with brown gravy, beefsteak fried, hot biscuits, cold ham, stewed ham, boiled beans, baked beans, fried pork, hard tack and coffee. “The simple breakfast in the lot consist- ed of beefsteak, bread and coffee, plenty of it, for everybody and splendid material to drill on. Parents, sweethearts, and friends should not permit themselves to be imposed upon, either by the many artful or the few faint-hearted men. Occasionally we can use money in purchasing additional vegetables, but the demand even for that purpose is almost insignificant. “When the Ist District of Columbia In- fantry suffers from hunger or improper food while the regiment is within the United States I will be quick enough to call upon the good people of Washington for relief. Meanwhile, I wish the good people of Washington would assist us in keeping their boys out of hospital. The improper food and drink purchased by the individuals through the frequently mis- taken generosity of the home folks has wrought more physical harm to the regi- ment than all other causes combined. We cannot build fighting men out of confection- a Learned the Tricks. The boys in camp are not the same ones that left Washington six weeks ago by a jugful. They have learned all sorts of oid soldier tricks, and from appearances are working them on the home folks like veter- ans. Most of the sickness in the hospital has been caused by eating canned goods sent from home or purchasing all sorts of messessold by dyspepsia venders with the money sent by sympathetic relatives and friends at home. The drill this morning was devoted almost entirely to the loading and firing movements. The men were fur- »ished blank cartridges, and for more than an hour the camp sounded as if a Fourth ef July celebration was going on. This is great practice for the men. They have about ten thousand rounds of blanks which they will use up. Yesterday afternoon there was a lively scrap in the cook tent of Company M. James M. Carico, the cook, gol into a fuss with a private, who let him have a good one under the left ear. Carico fell like a log and struck his head against a meat block. He was at fault and was taken to the guard tent. Shortly after his arrival there he. went into convulsions, but Dr. Cook soon brought him around all right. There were no cases of importance at the kcepital this mcrning. Corporals Jus. A. Bresnahan and Charles C. Butterfield of Company H have been reduced to the ranks, and Privates C. F. Bryant and H. N. Pendleton 0! the same company have been promoted to be corporals in their stead. Discharges have been granted by the War Department to Privates A. P. Taff of Company F and Wm. E. Niecy of Com- pany K. These men will retura to Wash- ington. Have Their Blue Shirts. Thanks to Quartermaster Field, the men have all be2n supplied with the regulation fue shirts. Capt. Field found a car con- taining 700 yesterday, and he stuck to them until they were issued to him. The boys are very much disappointed over the fact that at least once a week they are ordered to march up the Lill and then march down again. They had hoped at this fime to have some definite or¢ers. The censor will ti