Jasper County Democrat, Volume 1, Number 13, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 July 1898 — WASHINGTON GOSSIP [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

WASHINGTON GOSSIP

Secretary Bliss has been informed that from 75,000 to 100,000 sheep are in Yosemite Park eating the grass and shrubbery and doing an immense amount of temporary damage, and he is sending out Inspectors to employ guards to arrest the herders and drive the animals out. Many years ago the park was common grazing grounds, and the California ranchmen used to drive their herds many hundred mile* to pasture there. This was forbidden by law and a military guard, usually two or three companies of cavalry, has been turned into the park every spring to protect it. Two or three weeks ago the guard was withdrawn and the troop* were sent to Manila. As soon as the herder* learned of this they started their flock* that way, and they are now enjoying the pastures in defiance of the warnings and threats of the superintendent. • • * The Spanish warships bottled up in the harbor of Santiago have been informally surveyed and a value placed upon them, which will be added to the indemnity demanded of Spain as a condition of peace should Admiral Cervera destroy them to prevent their capture by. the American force*. The squadron is estimated to be worth about $12,000,000. Ships captured at anchor in harbors are legitimate prize* of war, like those taken in naval engagements at sea. While it is not unusual to destroy warships and fortifications when their capture by the enemy is inevitable, and while Cervera has the recent example at the Spanish admiral at Manila to guide him, the American Government is determined that Spain shall gain nothing should it* pride dictate the destruction of the beleaguered fleet. • e e The Postoffice Department has made arrangements to run a daily mail boat from Tampa to Santiago for the benefit ®f the army. At present there is no regalar time for departure or arrival of mail, for the department has to depend upon the dispatch boats that are sent in from the fleet for supplies. An enormous quantity of soldier mail is received at Tampa daily. It comes by the carload. The 16,000 soldiers receive a great many more letters than would be sent to the same number of citizens in the ordinary walks at life. The postal agents at Tampa hurry them as Much as possible. They are assorted by regiments, and upon their arrival at Santiago are delivered to the proper officers. • • * The officials at the State Department, and the German ambassador both agree that there is the best possible understanding existing between Admiral von Diederiehs and Admiral Dewey at Manila, and that the former recognizes the latter as in control of the situation. While he may land marines to protect the German consulate and the property of German residents in Manila he will not do so without permission from Admiral Dewey. Everybody who knows the facts agrees that there is not the slightest concern regarding the present or future attitude of th* German authorities at Mauila. • • *

It has been asked why the rough ridert and other cavalrymen fought on foot in Cmba the other day. Because their horses were left at Tampa. Transports were so scarce that it was considered advisable not to carry any more live stock than absolutely necessary. A horse occupies aa much room on shipboard as three men, and if the 1,200 horses of the rough riders had been taken they would have crowded out 3,000 men. The horses were therefore left at Tampa in charge of a major and two companies of troopers, and the rough riders are fighting as infantry. • * • Everybody is glad that Captain Sigsbee has had a chance to distinguish himself. There was an impression among his friends that Sigsbee should have had a better detail than an auxiliary cruiser; that he should have had at least a vessel equal in importance to the Maine; but everything of that sort was takes, and the St. Paul was the best ship in sight. He has done good service with her and carries a promise from the Secretary of the Navy that he shall have the next battleship that needs a commander. • * * Commodore Watson will carry to Spain with him on his supply ships 10,000 tons of coal. 5.000 tons of refrigerated meat and* plenty of bread and vegetables, and he will have a regular market wagon running back and forth across the Atlantic so that his sailors will not get hungry. The military authorities of the United States have a theory that a sailor wiH fight better when he is well fed. 1 • * • lundiplomatic quarters It is stated (hat no steps have been taken thus far in the direction of peace overtures from any quarter, and that it is not likely such overtures will come, cither from one power or from a combination of powers, until the military situation materially changes by a decided victory or a decided defeat • * • The President is very much gratified at the comments of the foreign press apoa the work of the rough riders at La Qessis*. The United States has no reputation as a military power. We are generally regarded as a quober among nations, and this little dramatic exhibition of courage will do more to attract attention and (aloe the estimation of foreign critics fee nor army than a dozen ordinary battfea. a • • Gen. Shaft or has complained to the authorities at Washington of the immediate need of horses, both for the rough riders and the other regiments of cavalry, and aa soon as the new Vessels that were recently purchased from the Atlantic Transportation Company are available the animals left at Port Tampa can be shipped, see The Government has bought altogether 263 boats since the beginning of the war, qnd has paid over $0,000,000 for them. The smallest are munches run by naphtha or electric engines, while the largest ate transports of 8,000 tons.

In a difficulty between Bad Smith and Walter Gardner. jdaiiteru maiding Mgr Cerulean Spring*. I\y,. Smith wvas atrark oa the head with a rock -and LtUgy ia-