Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 20, Number 8, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 30 September 1898 — NO PLACE FOR TROOPS [ARTICLE]

NO PLACE FOR TROOPS

HAWAII OFFERS NO GOOD CAMPING GROUNDS. So Assert* Major General Merriam on His Return—Americans Should Be Withdrawn as Quickly a* PossibleVitality Sapped by Heat. Maj. Gen. H. C. Merriam returned from Honolulu on the steamer Australia. He said there was no suitable camping ground in any of the Hawaiian Islands. “It is hard, to believe,” he continued, “that good camping grounds cannot be found in the islands. Had anybody made that declaration to me before the trip I would have thought him prejudiced. There is absolutely no place whereon it would be safe to place American troops. Level ground is very unsanitary, and it is impossible to locate a camp on the upper ground. That practically covers my investigations in a sentence. The First New York regiment is encamped four miles from Honolulu proper, at a point called Diamond Head. The camp is worse than any we have had here. Although lumber is at hand to begin the erection of barracks, there has not been any work done, for the reason that a good location has not been secured. The engineers and New Yorkers are in tents, and that, too, at a most disagreeable season of the year. 'The rainy season is just commencing, and will certainly cause hardships for the unseasoned troops. “The weather on the islands was very depressing, and I was compelled to lie down each afternoon to rest because of the terrible heat. I think the troops should be kept on the islands as short a time as possible, as the weather draws the vitality from the men. The suggestion offered some time ago about sending all the troops to the islands and making them a base of supplies for the Philippines is preposterous. There ■would be a larger mortality than in all the camps in the United States put together. I believe that only a short stop, if any, will be made by the troops of the next expedition to the Philippines.”

GERMANY AND PHILIPPINES. Representative* of Kaiser Say Relation* with America Are Friendly. The foreign office at Berlin has been interviewed regarding the Washington cablegram saying that the five regiments to be sent to Manila were needed to watch German manipulations there. The answer was emphatic. Such manipulations, it is declared, exist only in the imagination of Admiral Dewey. As officially reported, the conduct of Vice-Admiral Diederichs throughout has been loyal to both belligerents. Since that report was received nothing his happened to disturb harmonious relations between Americans and Germans in tlhe Philippines. Assuredly, it is further declared, the German Government plans no trickery and intendr no disloyalty there, and of that the Washington Government doubtless is fully aware, else Dr. von Helleben, the German ambassador at Washington, would not have been granted leave of absence. QLJ) GLORY FLOATS IN HAVANA. American Flag Hoisted by the Commission Meeting There, At 10 o’clock Tuesday morning the first American flag in Havana was hoisted pn the flagstaff of the Trocba Hold, the headquarters of the American evacuation commission. A guard of marines was posted at the entrance to the grounds. Col. Claus and Capt. Payne stood on the roof of the hotel' at either side of the flagstaff. At 10 o’clock siharp a quartermaster of the steamer Resolute hoisted the flag, which unfurled and fluttered proudly in the breeze. All the members of the commission raised their hats and cheered the S-tars and Stripes. The approaches to the grounds at either end of the street wore patrolled by squads of the Guardia Civile in order that the commissioners might not be molested. TROOPS LEAVING FOR SPAIN. Evacuation of Porto Rico I* Now in Progress. The embarkation of the Spanish troops for Spain began Tuesday, when 200 sick soldiers and 200 engineers boarded the steamer from Havana at San Juan, Porto Rico, en route for Spain. The palace officials rej>ort that two or three transports have sailed from Spain for San Juan. There is a great feeling of relief on both sides at the receipt of this news. The evacuation of Lares, Aqnadilla and San Sebastian occurred Monday, our troops taking possession and raising the American flag aud the Spaniards retiring to Arecibo. Wednesday morning the Spanish evacuated Vieques island, off the east coast, and the garrison will remain temporarily at Humacao. One company of our troops is already at Viequez island and aqothcr at Humacao. SPAIN’S COMMISSION. The Castilian Peace Body Represent* C>a**c* of Government. The personnel of the Spanish pence commission has been officially sent by the Madrid Government to the French ambassador at Washington. Chairman of the commiasiou. Honor Montero Rios, is (“he presiding officer in the Spanish Senate. Gen. Correro has had long experience in colonial affairs, while Scnor Garnica is counselor of the Court of Cassation. or Supreme Court. The commission is made up of representatives of the political elements, the navy and the diplomatic fraternity, and is, therefore, considered strong. Employment for Cubnn Troops. Gen. I/RWton has made a recommendation to the War Department for the utilization of Hitch Cuban troops a* may relinquish all connection with the Cuban army by employing them upon various works of the United States nt Santiago. Proclaim* the War Ended. President Mnsso of the Cuban republic has issued a manifesto to the Cuban army proclaiming nn end of the war with Simin and expressing gratefulness to the people of the United States. Aaninntdo Itai’ed a* Chief. Aguinaldo, the Philippine insurgent leader, was hailed ns chief nrnid scenes of great enthusiasm at the opening of the Philippine national assembly at Malolas. The free soup kitchens in Havana ar* Keiug gradually closed.