Evening Star Newspaper, July 30, 1898, Page 1

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C., SATURDAY, JULY 30, 1898—TWENTY-FOUR PAGES TWO CENTS, | sven Rates of advertising made known ou application. TO HOLD MANILA ee Our Flag at Cavite Not to Come Down, DISCUSSING THE PHILIPPINES Result of Today’s Conference of the Cabinet. COMMISSION 10 SETTLE THE FOTORE Believed That Spain Will Reject the Terms. SYNOPSIS OF REPLY a ee The cabinet this morning decided to leave the government of the Philippines open for the present, to be determined later by a commission to be appointed by the two countries, the United States meanwhile to ex- ercise control and jurisdiction over Manila, its harbor and immediately surrounding territory. With regard to other questions than the Philippines, the situation is as stated yesterday: Absolute ion to the United States of Porto Rico and all islands in the West Indies, save Cuba. Relinquishment by Spain of sov- ereignty in Cuba. The United States will exercise control there until a stable government can be establish- ed. Acquisition of coaling station in the Ladrone Islands and perhaps the Carolines. No assumption of Spain’s Cuban or Porto Rican debts by the United States. No war indemnity from Spain. ce: It was pretty well understood before the cabinet met this morning that a practica- ble agreement had been reached upon the answer to be returned to the Spanish over- tures for peace, and that what remained for the cabinet to do was simply to go over carefully the text of the communication which Secretary Day had been charged to Prepare over night and give to it the seal of formal approval. Secretary Day mean- while had had two conferences with the President since the adjournment of tne cabinet yesterday, one last night and an- other early this morning with the result that he had completed his share of the work before the hour of #0:30, the hour ap- pointed for the reassembling of the cabinet. Future of the Philippines. it was impossible to gather details as to the nature of that part of the communi- cation relating to the Philippines, which, after all, was the only point that had given tise to prolonged discussion or had revealed any substantial differences among the members of the cabinet. However, it was learned that an arrange- ment had been proposed which had met the approval of the cabinet, providing for the reference of so much of the Philippine question as touched their future govern- ment to a commission, probably limited to American and Spanish representation. The scope and power of this commission could not be learned in advance of the cab- inet meeting and the method devised for enforcing any verdict it might reach was left to surmise. Still, the general principle underlying the arrangement is understood to be the development of the sober second thought of the American people as to the a {tion of the Philippines, unclouded by the clash of war and unaffected by mo- mentary lust for territorial acquisition. A Naval Station. Of course it Is understood that no mat- ter what for rm the Philippine arrangement takes, the United States is to acquire a naval rtation there, for it is understood that the original plan to acquire a coaling station has been broadened into a demand for a naval station. The argument that brought about this change was the repre- sentation of the naval war board that one of the most pressing needs of United States naval vessels in Asiatic waters was @ good dry dock and some machine shops, where the repairs that were always re- quired by the complex warships of today can be effected. ft was also pointed out that under strict application of the neu- trality laws, 98 urged by some writers*the United States might be prevented in time of war from taking Its own coal from its own coaling station, though the same rule cannot be applied to a naval station, which would be held under an entirely dif- ferent tenure. The maintenance of a naval station would require more territory than @ coaling station, and the existence of a dock yard at Cavite has fixed the eyes of the naval war board upon that place as one ready made for our occupancy. A naval station involves some resident popu- lation to supply the necessary labor, and scme agricultural land is required to maintain this population, the extent of the territory depending entirely upon the size of the station and its importance. The Island of Luzon. Some of the naval officers are urging, and their representations have been weight, that the whole of the Island of Luzon is not too great an expanse to sup- port properly such a station as the United States will require. They point also to the difficulty that would be encountered in de- fending a station which does not occupy the whole of the island upon which it {s located. On the other hand, it is pointed out that there are several hundred thous- and semi-barbarous inhabitants of Luzon, whose government would oblige the United States to keep a considerable military and naval force always on and about the is- land, without proper recompense. The statement of General Merritt con- tained in his cablegram this morning, that he would probably need all the troops that had been assigned to him, was regarded as little onimous of trouble to come, thcugh whether this is to be with the natives or is incident to the siege of Manila is not evident. The general's dispatch was, it is supposed, brcught to Hong Kong on the British gunboat Plover, and as he mukes no mention of the reported sur- render of Manila, although his dispatch undoubtedly is the latest from the Filippines, that report is now looked upon as at least premature. It is noticeable, too, that Dewey in his telegram made no reference to the reported surrender. The Mecting Resumed. ‘The cabinet met at 10:80 o'clock, having heen unable to finish its work before it ad- journed at 5:30 o'clock yesterday afternoon. Four hours and a half were given yester- day to discussion of the answer to Spain. This and the time spent today shows huw momentous have been the questions at is- sue and how important the estimate put on them by the Presideat and his official ad- sers. Neither before nor since the be- nning of the war with Spain has the cab- inet spent this time on any question. Once before a session was held in the morning, and again in the afternoon, but no ad- journment was taken until the next day. All the members were present on time ex- cept Secretary Day, who, however, had been with the President earlier in the morn- ing and had gone back to his department to’ complete some work to lay before the cubinet. Senators Proctor and Elkins called to see the President just before the cabinet met, but did not finish their business with him. They had called in relation to political matters. Senator Elkins said, however, that he took it for granted that Spain would follow tradition by refusing our demands, killing time, yelling cruelty and waiting until she loses more before she gives up to the in- evitable. The sevator ts on record in a speech in the Senate as favoring the re- tention of the Philippines by this country. Discussing Words of the Reply. The cabinet adjourned about 1:15 o'clock, having devoted nearly three hours wholly to the question of the wording of the note to be addressed to Spain. The discussion was about the question of verbiage, the terms being well understood. Cabinet members. on leaving the session, said that it would be useless to talk of the terms, as it had been agreed to give out a synopsis of the answer at 2 o'clock. The whole note, about 1,100 words, would not, as a matter of courtesy, be made public at this time. Manila to Be Held. The general terms of the reply to Spain are that she shall surrender her sovereign- over Cubi, Perto Rico and the adjacent isiands and shall immediately remove her military forces therefrom; that the United States shail take possession of one of the Ladrone Istands as a coaling station, and that the United States: will then consent to the appointment of a joint commission to pass upoa the general peace proposition, including whether the United States shall permanently retain pcssession of the Phil- ippine Islands or shall surrender ail ex- cept a coaliag staticn. In the meantime the United States is to take possession of end hold the city and bey of Manila and to retain the same un‘ier a military government until the terms of peace have been agreed upon. The cabinet is divided as to what will be the action of Spain, but the prevailing opin- ion is that the Spanish ministry will reject the terms. The retention of Manila, bay and vicinity pending the result of the negotiations with Spain is ample notice of the intention of this country to permanently retain a coal- ing station or probably more in the Pbilip- Pines. As the whole question of the Philippines is left open for a commission to decide, the position of this country as to their own- ership is officially open. This policy will be presented to the commission by Presi- dent McKinley if Spain agrees to our terms, but the opinion of the cabinet at this mo- ment is unfavorable to permanently re- taining the islands. This opinion, however, {s open to change. An attepmt of Germany or any other Eu- ropean country to dictate about the Phil- ippines would, in all probability, lead to a complete revulsion of the present feeling. Spain's refusal to accede to what are re- garded fair terms would also, it is thought, change the attitude of the cabinet. The situation is a delicate one, and Spain may not have common sense enough to know that the propositions now made are easier than she will ever get again. Ambassador Cembon Informed. Secretary Day sent M. Cambon, the French ambassador, a courteous note re- qvesting him to call at the White House at 2 o'clock to receive our reply to Spain's peace note, delivered by him last Tuesday. The French ambassador left the embassy shortly before 2 o'clock, accompanted by his first secretary, M. Thiebaut, and drove in a surrey to the White House. The am- bessador had laid aside his usual alpaca coat and straw hat, and, with the formal- ity usual in diplomatic calls on the Pres- ident, he was in semi-dress attire, with silk bat and black Prince Albert. M. Thiebaut also wore the conventional silk hat and Jeng coat of such formal occasions. The Reply Given. At 2:10 o'clock the French ambassador, accompanied by M. Thiebaut, arrived at the White House. Ambassador Cambon was ushered into the blue room, which is the diplomatic parlor, and later to the H- brary, where he received the momentous document. Secretary Day was present, ar- riving fifteen minutes after M. Cambon. The President Was at lunch when M. Cambon first arrived and could not see the French ambassador for a few minutes. it is believed that the Spanish ministry wi" give immediate consideration to the ap wer and that the United States ‘will kr>w Spain’s intentions by next Tuesday. A Long Conference, It had been expected that the am! or’s call would be brief only long enough to receive the American answer. But it soon developed that the call was to be an extended one, and long enough to permit full discussion. At 2:40 Secretary Day ar- rived and juined the President and the am- bassador. a MERRITT AT MANILA Transports and Troops Reached There July 25. HE ASSUMED COMMAND AT ONCE Spaniards Unable to Re-Establish Their Suzerainty. THE SUFFERING FOR FOOD BAN FRANCISCO, Cal. July 30.—A special from Manila bay, July 26, via Hong Kong, July 29, says: “General Wesley Merritt and the trans- Ports and troops under his command ar- rived at Manila on the morning of July 25. All are well. General Merritt will at once assume command.” General Merritt's expedition includes the transports Ohio, City of Para, Indiana and Morgan City, which left here June 27, car- tying 3,600 officers and men under Brig. Gen. McArthur; the steamer Valencia, which sailed on June 28, with 600 men, and transport Newport, which sailed on June 29, with 800 men under the immediate com- mand of Gen. Merritt. Altogether there were 5,000 officers and men in the third party. The first expedi- tion carried 2,501 men and the second car- ried 3,515 men, so that Gen. Merritt now has under his command 11,016 men. Spaniards Indignant. MANILA, July 25, via Hong Kong, July 30.—The Spaniards are gradually realizing that Spain has not been victorious; that the expected reinforcements are not com- ing, and that the contest is utterly hopeless. The insurgents are in overwhelming num- bers and the Spaniards ean only obtain the bare necessaries of life. Only a fortnight ago Spanish national pride was rampant; but it is now merging into indignation at Spain's feebleness and regret that they were born Spaniards. While they will never surrender without a fight, the Spanish officers will jump at the first honorable opportunity to surrender. They fear national disgrace too much to give in without a fight. The fighting in the suburbs is desultory and the Americans are idle. This has given rise to a report that they have de- termined to suspend operations unt!! Sep- tember, and by that time peace will prob- ably be concluded. Then, it is asserted here, the Americans may permanently an- rex the Caroline Islands and the Ladrone Islands. and possibly abandon the Philip- pines, with the exception of keeping a coaling station here. Natives Are Starving. Although the insurgents have redoubled their efforts, they have hitherto been un- able to capture the citadel. On the other hand, the Spaniards are not able to:re- establish their suzerainty. Under the circumstances, it seems evi- dent that somebody must intervene in the name of humanity. Some insurgent shells have been thrown into the citadel, but they do not appear to have done much damage. The natives are reported to be starving Ly thousands, and the Europeans are also hard pressed for food. ee HANNA PEACE VIEWS. He is Not Sure but That America Should Keep the Ph ippines., Special Dispatch to The Eveniag Star. CLEVELAND, Ohio, July 30.—Senator Hanna does not agree with the adminis- tration on the subject of the disposition of the Philippines, and is inclined to think America should keep the islands. In. an interview this morning he said: “We certainly want a substantial foot- ing in the East Indies, and I am not sure but that we should retain them altogether. The people are in favor of retention of these possessions, and conditions confront us today which we never faced before. Our policy of fifty years ago should not be our policy today. “The interests of this country alone should be consulted. The tremendous ad- vantages of trade which will accrue to this country by keeping the islands is apparent to all. While I believe that peace is now in sight, by reason of the developments of the past few days, I think, in settling the terms, we should make our demands sub- stantial. The sentiment taroughout the country of keeping the islands is over- whelming. I am very glad we have se- cured a footing in Porto Rico, and, of course, we must annex this island. The problem of the fate of Cuba, I think, will work itself out in time.” The senator expects to be off on his va- cation up the lakes next week. — ANXIOUSLY WAITING THE ORDER. Thirty-Six Hundred Troops at New- port News Ready for Porto Rico. Special Dispatch to The Evening Star NORFOLK, Va, July 80.—Thirty-six hundred men are this morning camped on the big green near the Newport News ship yard. These troopers, anxiously waiting the order to embark for Porto Rico, are the 1st and 8d Kentucky, a battalion of the 16th Pennsylvania, a battalion of the 4th Ohio, and the 160th Indiana, which arrived this morning from Chickamauga. After getting their traps together they formed in line, and as they swung into the main street, marching to the tune of pa- triotic music, the other soldiers cheered, as did the populace, whom it seemed had turned out to a man: General Grant re- viewed the men from the balcony of the Warwick Hotel, and beside him stood his staff, They expressed themselves as pleased with the showing. i The transports Rio Grande, Hudson, Ala- mo and perhaps one other are scheduled to take the troops to Porto Rico. A start will hardly be made before next week. Watson’s loaded colliers are still in Hampton Roads, The officers aboard say that they are in total ignorance as to when they will sail or where: ge TOTAL SICK 4,279. Gen, Shafter Reports on the Condi- tion of His Troops. | General Corbin has received the follow- ing from General Shafter, dated Santiago de Cuba July 29: : oa “Banitary conditions for July 28—Total sick, 4,279; total fever cases, 8,406; new cases of fevet, 696; cases fever restored to duty, 590. Deaths—Private Michael Mc- Goldricks, tst Infantry; cause, asthenia fol- lowing melarial fever. SHAFTER, . “Major General Commanding.” AGUINALDO DEFIES US. Startling Information Cabled by Ad- = miral Dewey. A dispatch received from Admiral Dewey announces that Aguinaldo has assumed a bold attitude of defianee, and that it would take a large foree from this country to subdue the insurgents. Effect of the News. While the cabinet was in session a sig- nificant cablegram was received from Ad- miral Dewey. The dispatch, which has not been made public, save in its important feature, largely guided the cabinet in its disposition of the Philinnine problem. Without mincing his words, Admiral Dewey announced that Aguinaldo had as- sumed a bold attitude of defiance, and that there were strong.indfcations that the Philippine insurgents themselves would have to be fought. Based on his depiction of the gravity of the situation there, it would take 150,000 soldiers from this coun- try to cope with the insurgents through- out all the islands, ‘The deferment of final disposition of the Philippine problem was based on substan- tially the following grounds: First—That the United States has no sat- isfactory knowledge of existing conditions there. Second—Nothing is known of what obliza- tions were incurred as-between the United States forces and the Philippine insurgents. Third—The present attitude of the in- surgents is unknown. Fourth—The extent to which Aguinaldo controls the islands of the Philippine group is unknown, Fifth—Incident to the foregoing, it is not known what would have to be done by this government in subjugating the insurgent forces, the Spanish and the natives. GEN. GARCIA’'S GRIEVANCE Gen. Shafter Defends Himself to the So0- tetary of War. Had Invited the Cuban to Enter Santiago With Him, but Invita- tion Wai Declined. The following méssage was received by the Secretary of Wer this afternoon: SANTIAGO DE*CUBA, July 29, 1898. R. Alger, Secretary of War, Washington, Have the Sun of Sgtur@ay, July 23, in which comments are madé as to my treat- ment of General Gardja. I desire to say that General Garcia’ was imvited by me per- sonally to go into the city of Santiago at the time I entered it, but he declined upon the ground that the Spanish civil officers’ were left in power; it was fully explained to him that those officials were continued in power until it waS convenient to change them for others. cies ! General Garcia's assistance to me has been purely voluntary,on his part, and he was told at the beginning that I did not ex- ercise any control over him except such as he chose to give. The trouble with General Garcia was that he expected to be placed in command at this place; in other words, that we would turn the olty over to him. I explained to him fully that we were at war with Spain and that the question of Cuban independ- ence could not be considered by me. Another grievance was that, finding that several thousand men had marched in with- out opposition from General Garcia, I ex- tended my own lines in front of him and closed the gap, as I saw that I had to de- pend on my own men for any effective in- vestment of the place. SHAFTER, Major General. +2 + __ SAFE CONDUCT FOR THE ALICANTE, She May Soon Leave St. Pierre to Carry Spanish Prisoners to Spain. ST. PIERRE, Island of Martinique, July 30.—The Spanish hospital ship Alicante, which arrived here from Spain with Ad- miral Cervera’s squadron, may soon leave this port for Santiago de Cuba, in order to convey some of the Spanish prisoners to Spain under contract with the United States government. United States Consul: Darte has issued a safe conduct to her, ‘under orders, and she is taking stores fram the English steamer Remembrance and the American schooner Edward Stewart. The latter is the first merchant vessel to ‘arrive here since the war was declared. oa Seg REGRETS THE ATTACKS, Frankforter Zeitung Reviews the Expressions of the German Preas. BERLIN, July 30.—The Frankforter Zeit- urg, reviewing the war and the role Ger- many has played, regrets the attacks of the German pres: on the United States and ar- rives at the conclugion that Germauy has behaved in a “thoroughly injudicious man- ner.” It says: ‘Two German vessels at Ma- nila would have sufficed amply, and, in the future, we hope the foreign office will take into its own hands the. settling of all inci- dents in connection with Germany’s foreign policy, including thoge relating to marine.” TO BE RETURNED TO SPAIN, Chairman Hull’s:Qpinfon as to the Future of the Philippines. DES MOINES, Iowa, July 30.—Chairman Hull of the House: tommittee on military affairs says in regard. to the disposal of the Philippinas that it appears probable that they will be returned to Spain. “It will be hard to do this,” he added, “when it is remembered that the Philip- Pine insurgents, in mar distinction to the Cuban insurgents, have proven them- selves fighters and limve agsisted Dewey in every possible way.; Personally,“I would favor retaining all the territory we have captured, and I know there is a large and gtowing element our eountry which} holds the same s — CLERICAL CHANGES. Interior Department Promotions, instatements and Resignation: The following official changes have been made in the De; Patent~ Office: ‘ ReimBtatements—William A. Orr of Ohio ana O'Connell of the District of Colunibia, feopyists, $720, Res- i ‘Ho’ of Pennsylvania, copyist, $720. 2 Pension office: win 'T. Whitcomb of Ilinots,. dlerk, $1,200 to $1,400; oars eee ote ee - rael H. of Yows, wactnmas ‘$720. Geological survey: tion—Winfred Bee ot Vermont, byt aid, Office of 7a ation— Barry L. James Or Wissonnin, cies, plunder, during the last three years. claims are promptly returned with an ex- pression of regret. countermanded. ment here for continuation of the occups- tion and the definite establishment ef an American protectorate. ALLAYED THEIR FEAR Gen. Shafter’s Assurances to the Merchants at Santiago. A STABLE GOVERNMENT OVER THEM They Want American Troops to Remain to Keep Order. CUBAN RULE FEARED SANTIAGO DE CUBA, July 29 (Delayed in transmission).—Gen. Shafter has had scme cable correspondence with Adjt. Gen. Corbin, teading to allay the fear among Spanish and foreign merchants here that the American troops are to be withdrawn from’ Santiago and the city given over to the custody of the Cuban soldiers. Representations had been made to Gen. Sfafter of the alleged impossibility of a re- sumption of business unless assurances were given by the United Siates govern- ment that enough American troops would remain to maintain order and that a stable government would be established. Gen. Shafter cabled to Adjt. Gen. Corbin requesting authority to give the desired as- surance in the name of the President. Gen, Shafter szys the four immune reg- inents from Alabama and Mississippi, in all 5,000 men, half of whom are expected today, will remain to garrison the city. : Return North. He has recommended the withdrawal of the cavalry and their return north as goon as their state of health will permit. It is understood that the rest of the 5th Army Corps will go to Montauk Point, L.L., and there is great rejoicing among the treops. Gen. Wood, the military governor, this afternoon issued an order establishing an officers’ patrol for the city. The first de- tai! will make the rounds at 6 o’ciock in the evening and the next at 10. Any officer found in the city without a written permit from General Wocd will be requested to report to headquarters, If he refuses the patrol is to take him there for- cibly. Gencral Wood, it is understood, has taken this precautionary measure owing to the fact that night before last a Spanish cav- alry officer made himself very objectionable at a club here, insulting, while in liquor, several American officers. An Insolent Spaniard. None of the Americans paid any atten- tion to him, but later the Snaniard got into trouble with some American soldiers on duty, and was locked up in the guard house for forty-eight hours, General Wood will report the casc to General Toral, say- ing that he does so because he would wish a report made to him by General Toral, if any Arierican officer were guilty of similar offense. As a preliminary to strengthen the case, General Wood has instituted the officers’ patrol. The transport Mississippi left here this morning for Porto Rico. She will be fol- lowed ir a day or two by the Oriaza and Louisiana. Orders have been received to hasten the departure of the transports here. The Tampa, Saratoga, Iroquois, Knickerbocker and Seguranca will probably leave tomor- row and the others will get away so soon as they have discharged their freight. These include the Vigilancia, Miami, Mat- teawan, Gate City, Manteo, Catania and Berkshire. The quartermaster’s depart- ment is under orders to exercise the great- est activity in unloading the vessels, but the facilities are meager. Senor Enrique Trujillo, the editor of the Porvenir of New York, the organ of the Cuban insurgents, arrived here yesterday on board the Philadelphia, and applied to General Wood for a license to establish a Cuban paper here. But the character of the proposed publication was not consid- ered desirable by the general at present and permission to publish it was absolutely re- fused. Natives Present Claims. A feature of the situation here is the con- tant stream of native residents who are presenting claims to the authorities here against the United States government for losses sustained at the hands of Cuban troops, damage to property, robbery and These ‘The daily passes issued through the lines exceed 300. Today it was discovered that they are being used to take rum and to- bacco to the Spaniards, with whom a good traffic is kept up. Future bearers of passes will be searched. Among the passengers on the Ward Ino steamer Philadelphia on her return trip to New York will be Don Aldoon, the new collector of the port at Santiago. The full cabin capacity, has been engaged. She will probably take a full cargo of iron ore, the first since the war broke out. All foreign orders for goods have been There is a distinct senti- Local merchanis, Spanish, foreign and native, are drawing up a petition, request- ing the establishment of a bonded ware- house at Santiago, co that in case they de- sire to reship goods to Porto Rico they may be saved the payment of double duties. Under the Spanish regime the entry of gcods in bond here was unknown. chandise imported and reshipped to Porto Rico, another Spanish colony, paid dvties twice. Mer- ————— DEATH OF CAPT. DODGE. Great Mortality -Among Officers of the 24th Infantry. Adjutant General Corbin was deeply af- fected this morning on receiving the news of the death at Santiago of Captain Charles Dodge, 24th Infantry, of yellow fever yes- ‘terday morning. The captain was lieu- tenant in the same company that formed General Corbin’s first command, when he became a captain, and he looked upon him almost as a younger brother. If anything was wanting to show the extraordinarily high rate of mortality among the officers of the American army engaged in the battles before Santiago, it is supplied by the state- ment at the War Department that with the death of Captain Dodge the 24th Infantry lost every captain of the regiment. All of the other captains had been killed in ac- tion when Capt. Dodge, the sole survivor, was stricken with an attack of yellow fever, which led to his death yesterday. Captain Dodge was a member of a well- Known Washington family. His father was an additional paymaster in the United States service during the civil war and sub- sequently was connected with the Treasury Department. Captain Dodge's wife and mother both reside in this city. Prior to his appointment as a second lieutenant in the regular army on the 28th of October, 1878, Captain Dodge served for about three years as a clerk in the Adjutant General's office. He was promoted to be a first lieu- tenant on June 30, 1883, after he was grad- uated from the infantry and cavalry school. He became captain on December 4, 1895, taking command of the same company in the 24th Infantry, which had formerly been commanded by Adjutant General Cor- bin, who, meantime, had been removed from the line to the staff and had become @ major and assistant adjutant -eneral. Captain Dodge was regarded by Ais su- Periors as one of the most capable officers in the army. He was deservedly popular with his men and was highly regarded by a wide circle of friends both in and out of the army. +o. WILL FLOAT ONE CRUISER. Success of Wreckers at Wo: fanta Maria Tere: The Nayy Department has received the following from Admiral Sampson: } “The Infanta Maria Teresa, upon which the wreckers are now engaged, will be floated and brought to Guantanamo as soon as a small leak is located, which is some- where in the bow of the ship. Whether this leak is due to a small valve being left open or a hole which may have been made in the bow is not yet known. Her own pumps are being used to remove the water, there being steam in one of her boilers. (Signed) “SAMPSON. Kk on the ———__+».__ TO REINFORCE MILES. Transports Used by Brooke's Men to Be Sent Back. Orders have been sent by the War De- partment to General Brooke, who, it is ex- pected, will arrive at Ponce probably to- morrow or Monday, directing him to send back the transports which conveyed the troops of the Porto Rican expedition as soon as possible. The transports will be returned to New York and will be utilized at once for the sending of additional troops to Porto Rico. The troops will be embark- ed at Newport News probably, but the ships are to be returned to New York be- cause of the quarantine regulations. The additional troops to be sent to Porto Rico will go very likely from Chickamauga and will be such part of General Brooke's corps as it is deemed desirable to add to the ex- Pedition already sent to Porto Rico. NAVY YARD COMMANDANT. Rear Admiral Norton to Be Retired August 10 for Age. Rear Admiral Charles S. Norton, com- manding the Washington navy yard, will be retired on account of age on the 10th proximo. He will not be relieved of his present command on that account, how- ever, and an order was issued by the Navy Department today directing him te centinue t4s present duties until otherwise order- ed. This action was taken under a statute which authorizes the President to cali on retired officers for active service in time of war. ————_—_+-e-+- GEN. MERRITT AT CAVITE. The War Department Informed That He Arrived Monday. Maj. Gen. Merritt, the military governor cf the Philippines, arrived at Cavite on the 25th instant ard assumed command of the militacy forces at that point. The fol- lowing telegram was received from him at the War Department this morning: HONG KONG, July 30; 1998. Adjutant General, United States Army, Washington: CAVITE, July 25.—Arrived today about 12, Health of commands good; remainder fleet four days in rear; all troops assigned me will probably be needed. MERRITT. Major General, Commanding. The Navy Department has also received the following: CAVITE, July 26, 1398. Secretary of the Navy: Merritt arrived yesterday in the New- port. The remainder of the expedition is expected within the next few days. Gigned) DEWEY. —_——_—_—e—______ TROOPSHIPS FOR COPPINGER, They Will Leave Santiago Tonight for Tampa. Adjutant General Corbin received the fol- lowing from General Shafter at Santiago, dated July 29: “The Seguranca, Knickbocker, Saratoga and Iroquois leave here tomorrow night (tonight) for Tampa. The Miami and Mat- teawan have only forage on board. They will be unloaded next. They have been re- tained until near the last on account of their condensing 13,000 gallons of water each per day, without which the fleet could not have gotten along.” General Corbin transmitted a copy of this telegram to General Coppinger, command- ing the troops at Tampa. ‘You should have your troops in readiness,” he says, “to em- bark for Porto Rico on their arrival. ‘The ACHING FOR A FIGHT | The District Troops Regretted Santi- ago’s Capitulation. a WERE IN THE MOST TRYING POSITION Yellow Fever Has Not Reached Them Yet. SHAFTER ON A BUCKBOARD or Special From a Staff Correspondent IN FRONT OF SANTIAGO, July 17. There was one regiment at least In the investing line down here who severely re- gretted the capitulation of Santiago with- out a fight. That regiment hails from the District of Columbia. Colonel Harries’ men occupied a position on the line closest in to the Spanish. It was regarded as the place of honor and was given to the District troops because General Lawton believes they have the right sort of stuff in them, and because their colonei was anxious to get there. It was the weak point on the line, too, and the one where the Spanish were ex- pected to make an effort to break through in case they attempted a sortie. Again, it was on the far right of the line, which would have been bard hit in case Pando had attempted a flank movement from the west with his reputed force of 8,000 riftes. Aching for a Fight. The District men knew all this and proud of the confidence reposed in them, and had determined to uphold at all haz- ards the reputation they had acquired, They were full of fight. They had borne patiently and without a murmur the ab- sence of everything which was almost nec- essary for existence—for the question of comfort had long since been abandoned. They had lived for four or five days under brush tepees and had been very short of grub. Besides, they had done a good deal of hard work, digging trenches, advancing the line toward the Spanish position When the truce came they were within 200 yards of the Spanish front. The men were aching for a fight. They had established a reputation for discipline and they wanted to show that they were just as good ma- terial on the fighting line as they made in camp. It transpired the other day that a curious mistake had been made in regard to the District men. General Lawton was under the impression that they were armed with Krag-Jorgensen rifles. He had no doubt of their courage. But when he learn: volunteer regiment had been placed in the most exposed position on the line armed only with the old Springfield he was aghast. Not that the Springfield is not an effective weapon, but it makes smoke enough (o shut out all sight of everything in front and presents a nice fog bank for the enemy to make a target of. A Reconnaissance of Three. The boys at the front have a good joke on the surgeons of the regiment and their were nat a chaplain. Soon after the white flag was displayed on the Spanish trenches these enterprising gentlemen sallied forth to make a reconnaissance in force of three. They wandered almost into the Spanish trenches and would no doubt have entered into conversation with the dons if they had found any. They found nothing of either spiritual or scientific interest, how- ever, and turned back toward their own camp. Then they began to find matters decidedly interesting. Our men had been temporarily withdrawn from the outer trenches and the outposts were some dis- tence back. They soon ran up against a sentry, who declared he knew nothing of their identity and refused to be convinced, by the most reassuring remarks of the, gifted trio. The corporal of the guard was no more relenting, but finally agreed to call the sergeant. This officer took even a more rock-bound view of his orders than any of his subordinates and was not too sure that it would not be the proper thing to sum- marily shoot the whole party as suspicious characters. After a long palaver, however, he summoned the officer of the guard, who recognized the wanderers and aumitted them back to camp. Now Getting Food. Yesterday, through the untiring ‘efforts of Lieutenant J. H. Griffiths, the commis- sary officer, and Captain Jack Field, the quartermaster, the regiment began receiv- ing stores from Siboney, and the men once more know what it is to ha something like an adequate food supply and to once more enjoy the luxury of a shelter tent. The road from the front to Siboney has again been placed in something like pass- abie shape, and the work of getting sup- plies to the front can now be carried on with considerable rapidity. There is considerable fever reported Secretary of War directs me to say that he has no objection to your going to Porto Rico with any part of your command when you may desire, but on leaving you will notify this office and the officer next in rank to yourself, who will succeed you in command.” ———--e+ —____ KING ALFONSO CONVALESCENT, Spain's Boy Monarch Recovering From His Attack of Measles. PARIS, July 30.—A Madrid dispatch to. the Temps reports that King Alfonso is convalescent from the attack of measles with which he was prostrated a few days ago. _—_—_ OBSTACLE IN THE WAY OF PEACE, The Cuban Debt is the Ouly Cause of Discontent at Madrid. PARIS, July 30—A Madrid dispatch to the Temps says that it is quite apparent that everybody in Madrid is resigned to the American terms of peace. The only matter that is raising any difficulty is the Cuban debt. Se BISMARCK’S CONDITION WORSE. It is Now So Serious That His Death is Feared. BERLIN, July 30.—It is said here that the condition of Prince Bismarck's health has grown considerably worse, and that a catastrophe is feared. No authentic con- among the men at the front; but whether it is genuine yellow jack scems still to be a question. There have been no cases among the District troops as yet. Since the surrender there is much specu- lation as to what the next move will be. Tiere are all sorts of rumors afloat, as usual. I heard from a pretty reliable source that Gen. Miles had orders to take the army out of Cuba and take it north to avoid future trouble with the fever. There is also talk of a move on Porto Rico. By- erybody is anxious to get away from this part of the island now, and Porto Rico or home is the general preference. The troops to whom will fall the lot of remaining here to garrison the captured province will be regarded as the martyrs of the expedition. Shafter and Wheeler. Coming up from Siboney I met both Gen. Wheeler and Gen. Shafter. Wheeler, in an old brown duck uniform, scarcely looked lske the well-known figure on the floor of the House; indeed, his appearance in the field is in his favor. He fully looks the wiry, resolute soldier that he is. Shafter