Jasper County Democrat, Volume 1, Number 16, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 30 July 1898 — WAR HISTORY OF A WEEK. [ARTICLE]

WAR HISTORY OF A WEEK.

Thursday. Gen. Miles left Guantanamo for Porto Rico. The converted yacht Mayflower captured the British steamer Newfoundland, from Halifax, which attempted to run. the blockade at Havana. Spanish troops at Manila defeated the insurgents with considerable loss on being attacked. The second expedition from San Francisco has arrived. Madrid advices say there is no indication of peace proposals. The Government continues inactive, while the people are demanding peace at any price. \ Announced by Secretary Long that the expedition to Spain has not been abandoned, but has been deferred until the Porto Rico campaign permits the withdrawal of the ships. As the result of the ill feeling between our troops at Santiago and the Cubans, Gens. Garcia and Castillo have determined to cease co-operation with our troops, and will conduct an independent campaign against the Spaniards, first attacking Holguin. Friday. Blanco expressed bitter opposition to pegee negotiations. Maj. Gen. Chaffee in the field hospital at Santiago suffering from dysentery. The first detachment of troops from Chickamauga left for Newport News to embark for Porto Rico. Aguinaldo has proclaimed dictatorship over the Philippines and_refuses to subordinate himself to American authority. Debarkation of American troops rapidly continues hear Manila. Reported that 5,000 Spaniards included in Toral’s capitulation, while marching to Santiago to surrender to Shafter, were ambushed by 4.000 Cubans under Garcia, but put the latter to rout after hot fighting. 'Lieut. Hobson, hero of the Merrimac episode, arrived in New York on the cruiser St. Paul and proceeded to Washington. He was sent to confer with the Government regarding raising Cervera’s ships. Saturday. Five transports tailed f> r Porto Rice from Tampa. Gen. Brooke and his staff left Chickamauga for Newport News. Details of the naval victory at Nipe show it to have been one if the most spirited sea battles of the war. Advices from Santiago say the letter alleged to have been written by Gen. Garcia to Gen. Shafter was written by a newspaper man, probably without the knowledge or consent of Gen. Garcia. Gen. Shafter reports that a colonel of Spanish engineers from Guantanamo arrived at Santiago to (earn of the surrender, and declared that the garrison at Guantanamo will gladly accept the terms of surrender.

Sunday. Admiral Sampson’s report on the naval battle at Santiago which ended in the destruction of Cervera’s fleet has been received in Washington, but not made public. The Spanish troops in Havana, together with the residents, have strongly fortified the city, say Spanish reports, and are eager for an opportunity to measure arms with the American forces. Lieut. Hobson’s plans for raising the sunken Cristobal Colon, the Spanish war ship, have been approved by the Navy Department, and arrangements have been made to begin the work. Monday. > Seven thousand Spanish troops at Guantanamo laid down their arms. Gen. Miles has begun to land his expedition near Ponce, Porto Rico. Gen. Shafter reports 500 now cases of fever among our troops at Santiago. Gen. Brooke has arrived at Newport News, preparatory to sailing for Porto Rico.

Cubans at Cienfuegos sent to Admiral Sampson a pitiful appeal-that he take the city, as they are starving. Tuesday. Details received of the landing of, Gen. Miles’ expedition at Guanica, Porto Rico, and the hoisting of the Stars and Stripes. Gen. Shafter sternly rebuked Scnor Ros, the civil governor of Santiago, for unauthorized dismissal of Spanish officials. Reports of Admiral Sampson and Commodore Schley on the destruction of CerVera's fleet at Santiago made public by the Navy Department. Spain sued for peace through M. Cambon, the French ambassador in Washington, who formally asked President McKinley in behalf of Spain if he would consent to negotiations to end the war. Gen. Shafter, while regretting any clash with the Cubans, said their claims to Santiago were untenable. resent a letter to Gen. Garcia explaining the position of responsibility which the United States occupies before the world. Wednesday. Announced on authority that no armistice will be grunted Spain. Arrival off Porto Rico of the transports Mobile, Grand Duchess and No. 30, with re-enforcements for Gen. Miles. Spanish advices Jo Madrid alleged the repulse of the advance of Gen. Miles upon Yauco, after fighting lasting all night. Spanish troops in Porto Rico reported to be concentrating in San Juan, the capital, for defense agairist Gen. Miles’ troops. Gen. Shafter pleased the native Cubans by permitting them to occupy and rule over the town of Songo, near Santiago, surrendered by the Spanish.