The herald. [microfilm reel], July 21, 1898, Image 1

About The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900

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Double Sheet |
TWENTY-FIFTH YEAR. NO. 294.
AN OLD WALL AT PORTO RICO
TAKING A REST
Officials Getting Ready for
the Next Battle
The Delay in Starting for Porto Rico
Said to Be Due to Failure
to Secure Convoys
8T THE ASSOCIATED PRESS SPECIAL WIRE.
WASHINGTON, July 20.—The war and nary department! are now
engaged in making all arrangements for the dispatch of the Porto Rican
expedition and Watson's eastern squadron. There has occurred one of
those natural pauses in the progress of the campaign incident to the
completion of one set of operations. There being no possibility of the
receipt of news of a great battle or of a surrender, there was less ex
citement and less evidence of nervous strain than for days past.
Gen. Miles' expected departure was again deferred. The explana
tion given was that there was difficulty expected at Santiago in secur
ing the naval convoy for the expedition. It is known, however, in addi
tion, that the president himself has restrained Gen. Miles to the extent
of adjuring him in earnest terms not to commit the folly of starting
for Porto Rico without the most complete preparations. The govern
ment has profited by the lessons taught by the Santiago expedition. Aside
from the actual loss of life that might be expected as the result of a bad
ly calculated start, it is realised that our relations with some of the Eu
ropean powers would be, in a small measure at least, impaired by the ad
verse moral effect created by anything approaching a defeat for the Amer
ican arms at this stage of the war. Therefore it it certain that so far
as the department can prevent, Gen. Miles' forces will not be short of food
or of tents to protect them from tropical rains, nor of the means for trans
portation that were so deficient at the beginning of the Santiago move
ment.
MILES REPORTS READY •
Gen. Miles reported this afternoon that he had with him ten trans
ports, whioh it is presumed have aboard several thousand soldiers, al
though at least two of them are freighted with equipments. The men
aboard ship are suffering from delay, precisely as did the soldiers who
lay in Tampa bay before the departure of Shafter's expedition. Inquiry
made at the navy department to ascertain where the delay had arisen
in securing convoys, was met with the statement that the orders to Ad
miral Sampson in this matter were very general. He was simply directed
by the department to furnish a convoy, and it was assumed that he would
confer with Gen. Miles as to the number and character of the vessels re
quired for that purpose. As the campaign, from a naval point of view,
is to be principally a land movement, the naval officers do not believe
a very extensive convoy is necessary. According to the calculations at
the navy department, Admiral Dewey's fleet at Cavite should now be re
inforced by the coast defense vessel Monterey, which, with the collier
Brutus, has now been about twenty days out from Honolulu. With the
addition of this fine and powerful monitor, Dewey will be amply able to
y\ke care of himself, so long as the naval forces in the Philippines are
nu intaint din the relative proportions they now occupy. However, the
disclosure by the state department of the lack of foundation for the sen
sational stories of strained relations with Germany has largely abated
the anxiety entertained at the navy department as to Dewey's position
at Manila.
AGREEABLY SURPRISED
The war department was agreeably surprised at the number of bids
received in answer to its proposals for transporting the Spaniards now at
Santiago to Cadiz. The terms offered by some of the companies were also
regarded as very reasonable, and as it is desirable to terminate the pres
ent condition of affairs at Santiago
at the earliest possible moment, it
is expeoted the award will be made
immediately. The bid from the Span
ish steamship company was a surprise
to the department officials, and at
least one of them thought that it
might be good policy for the govern- .
ment to avail itself of the offer.
Sr. Greenleaf's last report to Sec
retary Alger, from the American
camp at Santiago, came this after
noon, and was to the effeot that while
yellow fever was widely spread
among the troops it was very mild in
form.
Gen. Duffleld, who has been suf
fering from the disease, was reported
to be improving yesterday.
THE CUBAN INSURGENTS
The open statement from the Cu
ban legation here today, made to the
war department officials, that they
were prepared to accept as proper the
program laid down by Gen. Shafter
for the government of affairs at San
tiago, is but a prelude, it is hoped,
to instructions from that body to the
Cuban generals in the field, Gen. Go-
(Continued on Page Four.)
THE LEADERS WHO WILL SOON ATTACK PORTO RICO
THE HERALD
MEN FOR MANILA
The Seventh's Chances of
Seeing Service
ROOM ON THE SCANDIA
If Receet Omtbiarst Is Not Held Againist
Them—Sixty Officers aod Ntae
Hundred Men to Sail
SAN FRANCISCO, July 20.—C01. Berry of the Seventh California volunteers confirms the report that the
regiment will soon be sent to Manila. The Seventh will give an exhibition drill at Mechanics' pavilion to
morrow night, under the auspices of the Native Daughters, for the benefit of the First California regiment,
now at Manila.
The fact that the great troop ship Soandia will hold one more regiment than was counted on when the
allotment of troops for the fifth Manila expedition was made, has started the friends of the Seventh to work
again to endeavor, if possible, to have the Seventh California troops chosen to fill the vacancy.
It is said that the reoent outbreaks upon the part of the Seventh against alleged ill treatment may
be held against them by the officers, and that as a punishment they will be kept in camp.
Every effort is being made to explain away the ugly features of the recent trouble, and in case the
offioers stationed here do not bring the matter prominently forward it may be overlooked.
The Seventh look on the Scandia aa their last chanoe to go, and the regiment is consequently more
than anxious.
ORDERS TO THE TROOPS
Orders have been issued by Maj.-Oen. Merriam, directing the troops designated for the Rio de Janeiro
to embark Friday afternoon, and directing her to sail Saturday. Sixty officers and 900 men have been as
signed to the Rio de Janeiro, including many officers of Maj.-Gen. Otis'staff, who were left behind; Brig.-
Gen. Otis and staff, two battalions of the South Dakota volunteers, 1*65 officers and men of the Utah volunteer
artillery and 53 men of the signal corps.
The St. Paul will be ready some time next week, possibly by Tuesday, and will probably carry the
troops originally designated for her by Maj.-Oen. Otis: one battalion of the South Dakota volunteers, recruits
of the First Colorado volunteers, recruits of the Thirteenth Minnesota volunteers and part of the signal corps
detachment.
CAMP MERRITT CONDEMNED
Camp Merritt was formally condemned as a nuisance by the board of health today. The camp hat long
engaged the attention of the board, and while it was the subject of considerable legislation and correspond
ence,, no decisive action was taken until today. As the military authorities decided to remove the location of
the camp Jo the Presidio some days ago, the aotion of the board of health was taken merely for recording
purposes, presumably.
The Scandia has been inspected, and proves to be one of the finest troop ships in tbe United States
service. She oan easily carry 1500 men, and has much available space for accessories, hospital conveniences,
extra baggage and so forth. She is so large that it will probably take about two weeks to prepare her.
The work has begun, but her immense siae makes progress slow. -
THE SEVENTH'S CHANCES
What commands are to be assigned to this troop ship, the last to go before the repetition of the first
and seoond expeditions, is agitating every soldier's breast in the camps at the Presidio and Bay District
track.
Although there has been no official assignment of troops yet, this vessel will most likely be filled up
with the smaller commands of the expeditionary forces, leaving the whole regiments at the further disposal
of the war department. The battalion of California heavy artillery, Maj. F. S. Rice commanding, will be
inoluded without doubt. They are in excellent shape, and Gen. Miller is anxious that they should have the
next opportunity.
The battalion of engineers, Maj. Langfitt commanding; the division field hospital, the remainder of
the signal corps for Manila and whatever reoruits are left over for the regiments that have already gone
to the Philippines will make up the complement.
This will leave of the entire expeditionary force only about 5000 men, in round numbers, the four volun
teer regiments—the Seventh California, Tennessee, Kansas and lowa infantry. Another arrangement decided
on before the Scandia is ready may, of course, include one of these regiments. Herein lies the hope of the
Seventh.
MOVING THE CAMP
Avtive preparations have begun for the abandonment of Camp Merritt for the Presidio. The post
quartermaster at the Presidio, Capt. Thompson, and his assistant, Lieut. Hirsch, Twenty-third infantry, are
making all arrangements for the reception of the troops at the Presidio. A new water system of pipes
near the surfaoe of the ground will be laid, and the question of drainage carefully attended to. The troops
will be moved, regiment by regiment, as rapidly as possible, but probably not for several days yet. The
authorities will wait until the Rio de Janeiro has sailed before they give their full attention to the matter.
The division field hospital will be moved to the Presidio tomorrow morning.
THE IROQUOIS' LONG TOW
The gunboat Iroquois, formerly the tug Fearless, is about to make the longest tow ever undertaken.
She is to haul the ship Tacoma from San Francisco to Manila, by way of Honolulu, a distance of about
6600 miles. The Tacoma is to carry 100 horses and 120 mules and a coal supply. The Iroquois will steam
LOS ANGELES, THURSDAY MORNING, JULY 21, 1898
(Continued on Page Eight.)
NATIVE ARCHITECTURE OF PORTO RICO
DEFIANT DONS
Ministers and Generals Do
Not Want Peace
Blanco and Sagasta Blame Toral for
the Fall of Santlago-Jlad
rid Affairs Mixed
BT THE ASSOCIATED PRESS SPECIAL WIRE:
MADRID, July 20.—4 p. m.—A semi-official note has been publish**
here explaining the circumstances, from a Spanish standpoint, of the sur
render of Santiago de Cuba. It declares that the letter which Gen. Total
"is alleged to have written to Gen. Shafter" is apocryphal, as the tale
graph version "contains a statement which it is impossible for Gen. Toral
to have made, because it is untrue that his government authorised him t»
capitulate."
The note continues: "What happened was that the war minister re
ceived two telegrams from Capt.-Gen. Blanco. The first described Gen.
Toral's position, whioh was most pitiful because of the want of provi
sions and ammunition. It also detailed the enemy's proposals.
"Ia the seoond telegram Capt.-Gen. Blanco gave the terms of .the
capitulation and requested instructions. The war minister replied to both
by telling Capt-Gen. Blanco to leave every initiative to Gen. Toral, as is
was impossible to recommend any other line of conduct. Gen. Toral, ac
cordingly, acted as ha thought advisable, aad would explain before ajoourl
martial the motives wkfea caused him to capitulate."
ANOTHER FALSE REPORT
MADRID, July 20—4 p. m.—Advices received here from the Philip
pine islands say that the natives sire ill treating 4000 Spanish prisoners,
but that it is hoped that the friendly offices of the Spanish government
will resoue many of the Spaniards.
SPAIN'S DEFIANCE
MADRID, July 20—5 p. m.—Senor Sagasta and Gen. Coma, minis
ter of war, deolare that the latest news from the Philippines is of tha
most favorable character. Gen. Correa's advices indicate that the insur
gents are now displaying "only a lukewarm hostility towards the Span
ish troops."
Capt.-Gen. Augusti sends an official dispatch asserting, under date of
July 14th, that while the blockade is becoming strict, the enemy has lost
heavily in several recent engagements, "by whioh the morale of the Amer
ican forces has been weakened, and the Spaniards have been greatly en
couraged."
The dispatch alleges also that "the garrison is ready to fight to tha
death," and that Gen. Monet and several officers who had escaped from
Matabele have arrived there.
Capt.-Gen. Augusti concludes as follows: "Modestly and without ex
aggeration, which is contrary to my character, I have described with loyal
candor the situation, to which I am consecrating all my efforts for my ooun
try and my king."
An official dispatch from Capt.-Gen. Blanco announces that the great
est enthusiasm prevails there, and the feeling in favor of resisting tha
"Yankees" is universal. It further asserts that the commanders of the vol
unteer forces, at a conference under the presidency of Gen. Arolas, mili
tary governor of Havana, resolved to "exhaust their resources and die,
rather than surrender."
The American warships, the dispatch says, are off Manzanillo, ap
parently awaiting instructions, but the bombardment has not been re
sumed.
THE QUEEN GROWS ANXIOUS
LONDON, July 21. — The Madrid correspondent of the Daily Watt
| Twelve Page* |
PRICE FIVE GENTS
sayi: "Unless peace makes speedier
progress the queen regent will seri
ously consider changing the mini**
istry. Polavieja is regarded at tha
coming man."
TORAL'S PROBABLE PATE
MADRID, July 20.—Midnight.—
The ministers maintain absolute re
serve on the question of peace. It ia
certain that until yesterday no aag*>
tiations were opened. Nevertheless*
public opinion favors peace.
The captain-general of Madrid haa
prohibited a meeting of officers callei
to examine a new projectile. Orders
have been issued to close tha CasUft
club. The miniate* of foreign affairs.
Duke Almodovar de Rio, learns that
a French squadron it cruising ia tha
vicinity of the Balearic island*.
The military code prescribes Ufa
imprisonment for any officer who in
cludes in the capitulation at hs*
forces other posts, which, "thenftt
dependent upon hi* command, areavt
troops or places included in tha aottest
whioh caused tha oapitulatian."
It is doubtful, bowevw, whathat
Gen, Toral will be thna f■■lrt*d
MINISTERS GAiraOC AsttSs'
LONDON. July Bl—tha s»saM
correspondent of ta* TteM* mWOb*
1 omummA mi fit HMIMi ' iiK