Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 19, Number 93, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 July 1898 — PREPARE TO FIGHT. [ARTICLE]

PREPARE TO FIGHT.

Spanish Lines in Puerto Rico Concentrating at San Juan. CAPITAL’S DEFENSES STRENGT HEN ED. j An Apparent Determination to Make a Stand Aarainat the Americana— Gen. Milea’ Action Satisfactory to War Officials. St. Thomas, D. W. 1., July 28. —The Spanish troops at Puerto Rico are being withdrawn from the outlying towns and are concentrating upon San Juan. The defenses of the capital are being strengthened. Madrid Reporta Fifrhtlna. Madrid, July 28. —An official dispatch from Puerto Rico says: On Tuesday the Americans advanced in the direction of Yauco, fighting most of the way. Seven hundred Spanish regulars and volunteers encountered them and an engagement ensued which lasted the whole night and only ceased with dawn on the following day. The Americans were obliged to withdraw to the coast. Wainwright Commended. Washington, July 28. —Nothing was heard from the Miles expedition Wednesday at the war department, but Capt. Higginson, the senior officer of the naval convoy, forwarded a brief cablegram that gave keen delight to the navy department because of the unstinted praise it accorded to a popular and dashing young officer, “Dick” Wainwright, the commander of the little Gloucester. Wainwright, having been commended by his superior, Higginson, for his actions at Guanica, enjoys the solitary distinction of being the only officer attached to Sampson’s fleet who has been twice officially commended since the war began. Miles’ Action Satisfactory. The war department has reconciled itself to the summary change in its plans made by Gen. Miles when he landed at Guanica instead of on the northeast coast of Puerto Rico, as previously agreed upon. It is surmised that he was led to make this change by reason of the detention of his lighters and foresaw a week’s delay in effecting a landing unless he w r ent in where he did and ran his troops and artillery directly ashore. He thus has avoided exposing his troops to the hardships suffered by Shafter’s men, as they lay for so many days off Santiago. It is also suggested that the general has scored an important diplomatic advantage in setting foot upon Puerto Rican soil before the first overtures had been received from Spain looking towards peace. The departure of Gen. Brooke and Gen. Haines from Hampton Roads, which is expected to-day, to reenforce Gen. Miles in Puerto Rico, is a very substantial evidence of the purpose of the government not to abate the prosecution of military operations at this stage of the negotiations. The two generals are embarked on rapid liners and should reach Gen. Miles by next Monday, putting him in possession of n sufficient force to begin the movement upon San Juan at once. On the Sick Liat. Santiago de Cuba. July 28.—Reports of Tuesday show total sick. 3.770; total fever cases, 2,924; new cases of fever, C 39; cases of fever returned to duty, 638. No Americans Killed. Washington, July 28.—Assistant Secretary Melklejohn has just received Dews of the result of the second expedition sent by him to Cuba to supply Gomez’ forces in the western end of the island with food and munitions of war. This expedition was carried on the transport Wanderer. Havana reports describe the landing as a failure and say that four of the landing party, ineluding the lieutenant, were killed. This is the usual Spanish exaggeration. A list of the’supplks carried by the. Wanderer had been landed and sent into the territory beyond Spanish reach when an overwhelming fore# of Spanish troops appeared and compelleu the abandonment of the attempt to land the remainder. None of the American party was killed, but four men w'ere wounded. Their injuries were slight and-they were put ashore at Key West, to which port the Wanderer returned. The vessel made another start for western Cuba, thin time with a naval convoy to prevent interruption with her work, and it is believed that before this time she has succeeded in discharging her whois cargo. . Surrender of Guanlnnmuo. ffimriago de Cuba. July 28. Lieut. Col. Ewens, of the Ninth infantry, received the surrender of Guantanamo Tuesday. The Spanish troops will re-

main m rne town until transporter!. Lieut. Col. Angel Bosell, who f after taking confirmation of the instructions to surrender from Gen. Toral to Gen. Boroja, military governor of Guantanamo, returned here Wednesday afternoon, said that the first intimation that Guantanamo had of the surrender of Santiago and the terms thereof was on July 23, when Admiral Sampson sent a letter to Gen. Paroja asking what number of rations should be sent to his garrison, as they had been surrendered on the 17th. Gen. Taroja, being ignorant of the surrender, refuse 1 to credit the message and accept answering Admiral Sampson to that effect. Admiral Sampson then sent a copy of the terms of surrender, whereupon Gen Pardja decided to inquire of Gen. Toral at Santiago whether the news was true, and Lieut. Col. Bosell was appointed to come here. He returned with this confirmation and the surrender of Guantanamo took place. Col. Bosell says the conditions of Guantanamo are awful and the troops are literally staging. For the last tight days they have had no food. On mounting guard the soldiers were obliged to sit, being too weak to stand, and it was impossible t-o make them build trenches, as they fell from exhaustion. There are 2,000 sick in Guantanamo, suffering from diseases increased by hunger. The French cruiser Rigault de Genuilly was refused permission by Admiral Sampson 1 o land grain and provisions for the relief of the French colony at Guantanamo. All hope was abandoned and the sufferers were awaiting death from starvation. The conditions of Guantanamo, Col. Bosell says, were worse than those at Santiago.