Rensselaer Democrat, Volume 1, Number 12, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 July 1898 — WAR NEWS IN BRIEF. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

WAR NEWS IN BRIEF.

Princeton University has conferred the degree of LL. D. on Admiral Dewey. Many relics of the war of the rebellion have been found by soldiers now in camp at Chickamauga. The powers are said to be waiting for the fall of Santiago, when they will urge peace on Spain and the United States. Many prominent army officers think that 100,000 more men will be needed to make the war against Spain short and decisive. It is semi-officially announced that England will send a large fleet to Manila if Germany attempts a naval demonstration there. The Cuban allies of our marines at Caimancra, Cuba, fought well, going right up to the Spanish lines without the slightest fear. It was reported from Madrid Sunday that Spain has purchased three modern warships, which will be ready in three weeks. ■ Japan has no desire to interfere in the Philippine matter, Formosa having furnished all the territorial difficulties now desired. A number of Georgia moonshiners have had their sentences modified, so as to be able to join a moonshine regiment now organizing. Ex-Queen Natalie of Servia is reported to be organizing an expedition to Cuba to nurse sick and wounded Americans and Spaniards. Forty thousand tons of coal are to-be shipped from the Eastern States to Honolulu for the use of the United States navy as needed. The War Department is making arrangements to send a 600-bed field hospital* to the Philippines under charge of Maj. W. O. Owen. Over 5,000 Spanish volunteers arc reported to have deserted to the insurgents in Cuba since the beginning of Sampson's blockade of Santiago. It is reported that a number of Philadelphia coal dealers will be prosecuted by the government for selling coal to the Spanish government. The American troops wcreuon Sunday reported to be within bailing distance of the Spanish pickets at Sevilla, five or six miles from Santiago. In the Senate Saturday Teller of Colorado declared: "Where American soldiers are buried there the American flag will be planted to remain.” The military party in Spain charges that the Government has betrayed the country and now wants to arrange peace to save the dynasty.

With regard to Santiago, the plan is to put the Cubans in control of the city after it is captured, which will leave our troops free for Porto Rico and other operations. Count Cassini, new Russian amba,ssador at Washington, says that events of the war cannot affect the long-standing friendship between Russia and the United States. The rudder frame for the battleship Illinois has arrived at the Newport News ship yard from the Cleveland iron forge works. The weight of this frame is 32,990 pounds.

HONOR TO HEROE*. Special Messages by President McKinley Affecting Brave Men. The President on Monday sent two special messages to Congress providing recognition for the services of Lieut. Hobson, the hero of the Merrimac; of Lieut. Newcomb and crew of the revenue cutter Hudson, which rescued the torpedo boat Winslow at Cardenas; Captain Hodgson of the dispatch boat Hugh McCulloch, which figured in the battle of Manila, and Naval Cadet Joseph Wright Powell, who held the steam launch under the bluffs at Santiago harbor, searching for the crew of the Merrimac. Authority is asked of the Senate for the transfer of Hobson from the construction corps to the line of the navy and the President announces that with authority given he will by and with the advice and consent of the Senate suitably advance Hobson in the line. The Hudson's crew are to be given a vote of thanks and medals of commendation. Captain Hodgson is to be suitably recognized. The President In mentioning Hobson cites the fact that the crew with him already have been promoted. HURRY TO RE-ENFORCE SHAFTER. Ofliciata Say Mites Will Command the Next Expedition. Preparations for hurrying re-enforce-ments to Gen. Shafter and for the Porto Rican expedition are progressing as fast as possible. Gen. Shafter's orders are to send back to Tampa as many of the transports with his expedition as he can spare. It was given out officially that Gen. Miles

would command the next expedition to leave the United States. Just what this is to be, and where it is to go could not l>e ascertained. The re-enforeements to be sent to Shafter will be an expedition nearly as formidable as that which left Tampa two weeks ago. After Santiago has been reduced and captured by the Americans there will be an ample number to leave in the province to preserve order and hold the place, while the remainder may be used for the Porto Rican expedition. Attempt to Kill Aguinaldo. Advices from Manila report two attempts to Stab Gen. Aguinaldo, one by an Italian adventurer.

Blames the Germans.

An American official at Cavite writes as follows: “If great bloodshed and destrncfion come to Manila Spain may justly blame the Germans. Manila would have surrendered before the arrival of the German squadron without bloodshed, but now, owing to the moral support of Its presence, the city refuses to surrender.”

Spain Calls Mors Troops.

The Spanish Government has Issued an order calling out 26,000 more men, the last classes of reserves, for service in Spain.

CAPTAIN ALLYN K. CAPRON. Killed in the Battle of Sevilla.