ANSWER TO SPAIN AND LETTER FROM AARON SAGER, JR., AT FORT SLOCUM

 

William Rufus Day.

Cortland Evening Standard, Friday, July 29, 1898.

ANSWER TO SPAIN.

One Is Being Prepared at the State Department.

ITS IMPORT KEPT SECRET.

Still Enough ls Known For a Reasonable Conjecture.

   WASHINGTON, July 29.—The terms which the United States government will find acceptable as a basis of peace are being reduced to form by Secretary Day, the president having reached a conclusion on their outlines. While the terms are not made public, the administration's policy is so well known that there is little left to conjecture. Two or three points stand out clearly if the rest are in doubt. It is understood that Spain can pay no indemnity; therefore the United States must recoup herself for the outlay occasioned by the war in some other manner. Possession of Porto Rico naturally suggests itself as the easiest and best substitute for cash. So that the independence of Cuba and surrender of Porto Rico to the United States are two points that every one believes will be covered.

   About the only point that seems to be open to an amendment of an extensive character is the disposition of the Philippines. While the administration has not failed to take notice of the extent of the demand for their acquisition by the United States as exhibited in certain sections of the country it can be stated that the conclusion has been reached to abide by the first decision on this point, namely, to relinquish the islands, retaining a coaling station there surrounded by a sufficient zone of land to make it self-supporting. This decision it is possible, though not probable, may be again changed before the cabinet disposes of the matter, as strong influences are at work to induce the president to insist upon the substitution of at least an independent government over the Philippines for Spanish rule. If this point shall be difficult of settlement the answer to Spain may not be rendered, but may have to wait upon another cabinet meeting next Tuesday.

   It has been suggested in some quarters that Spain's real purpose in making the advance last Tuesday was to develop the position of the United States respecting the Philippines, hoping in this way to secure the active support of some European powers that have so far held aloof from her. While the belief is not seriously entertained at the state department, the government without regard to its soundness will proceed in a straightforward way to let the Spanish people know what is expected of them if they desire peace. It is not likely that the European powers could profit improperly by learning what the intentions of the United States are, but at any rate it is felt to be due to the world at large, and in the interest of fair dealings in international matters, that our statement should be made. It must be confessed that little hope is entertained that Spain at once will accept the terms proposed. On the contrary, a wave of popular indignation is expected to sweep over the peninsula upon the announcement of the conditions that will cause the Spanish government to drop the negotiations and sullenly fight on.

   If there were any chance to procrastinate, to secure an armistice without committing themselves, in fact, to adopt any course that would postpone the evil day of settlement, the Sagasta ministry undoubtedly would turn quickly toward it. But from that point of view their case is hopeless.

   Meeting the Spanish overture with frankness the United States will demand that it should be treated in the same spirit. If a disposition is shown to parley at length this will not be encouraged, nor is it believed that the French ambassador would be a party to any such program. If there must be talk instead of action upon the United State's proposal the discussion may proceed, but absolutely without in any way to retarding military or naval operations. Dewey and Merritt will proceed uninterruptedly to execute their program in the Philippines; Miles will continue his advance upon Porto Rico, and Watson will head with his squadron for the shores of Spain.

   As these extensive movements will cost a great deal of money, the Spanish government if it delays must expect to meet the expense when it comes to a final settlement. The present disposition of our government is to demand no money indemnity from Spain, although it might fairly be questioned whether the small proposed territorial acquisition of Porto Rico and a couple of coaling stations is anything like an adequate recompense for the half billion dollars expense that the war has imposed upon us. From this time on, however, the Spaniards are to be held to good faith by imposing upon them any further and additional charges to which the United States is put. Dewey and Merritt, it is calculated, will spend so many millions; Miles so many, and Watson so many per week, and the total will be balanced up at interest, growing rapidly with the passage of every week. Therefore, though a rejection by Spain of our terms is expected in the beginning there will be a steady pressure brought to bear that it is expected will lend to success in the near future.

   Not the faintest disposition is shown by the representative of the European powers in Washington to bring combined influence upon this government to secure better terms for Spain than might be expected otherwise. The resident diplomats have so far acquired a knowledge of American character and governmental methods as to realize that the immediate effect of any such interference as that proposed would be directly resented, would arouse the spirit of resistance of the American people and would have exactly the contrary effect to that intended.

   There was a display of indignation in official circles upon the publication of what was reported to be a statement from the Spanish premier imputing bad faith to the United States to pursuing the war and continuing to make conquests. However, this feeling soon wore off as it became apparent upon reflection that the statement was either apocryphal of that if genuine it was intended purely for home consumption. The late reports from Madrid that the newspapers there had given their approval to the terms of peace described by the president went towards relieving a certain feeling of discouragement that was manifested at first for it was patent that members of the administration apprehended a rejection of her demands by Spain at the beginning.

   It may be pointed out in this connection that if we are really as near to peace as many people suppose, it will become necessary to issue a call for an extra session of the senate to act promptly upon the peace treaty.

 

SICK REPORT.

Increased Number of New Cases but Only Three Deaths Occurred.

   WASHINGTON, July 29.—General Shafter makes the following report of the sick at Santiago: Total sick, 4,122; total fever, 3,193; new cases fever, 822; cases fever returned to duty, 542.

   Deaths—Private J. H. Farell, Company H, Ninth Massachusetts volunteers at Siboney, yellow fever; Corporal Thomas Rolson, Company D, Twenty-fourth infantry, Siboney, yellow fever; Private William H. Byers, Company D, Seventeenth infantry, cerebral apoplexy.

 

Declared a Lawful Prize.

   SAVANNAH, Ga., July 29.—The British steamship Adula captured off Guantanamo by the Marblehead, has been declared a lawful prize by Judge Emory Speer. She was chartered by a Spaniard and was on the way to Guantanamo to take out refugees. An appeal to the supreme court will be taken.

 

NEWSPAPER COMMENTS.

Some Extracts of the Foreign Press on the Terms of Peace.

   LONDON, July 29.—The Madrid correspondent of The Daily Mall, remarking "the feeling of satisfaction and relief the peace overtures have produced," says: "There is little probability of popular discount and none at all if Spain is allowed to retain the Philippines and is not compelled to pay indemnity. The altitude of the people makes the chances of Don Carlos small. Moreover the Carlists are said to disagree about the advisability of rising, the Marquis de Corralbo and other leaders opposing the step. Nevertheless it is feared that Don Carlos will insist upon it."

   The Madrid correspondent of The Daily Telegraph says: "However unpalatable the terms of peace may be they will not provoke the slightest disturbance in Spain, where listless indifference is predominant."

   The Berlin correspondent of The Times says: "The terms of peace which American imposes occasions surprise here as much too hard. The National Gazette remarks that the United States have not won a victory signal enough to warrant such hard terms, and expresses the opinion that the prospect of peace in consequence are gloomy."

   The Times, commenting editorially upon the suggestion of The National Gazette, says: "This suggestion from would be friends of Spain merely shows that these critics entirely fail to grasp the military significance of America's sea power. Only by prompt and straightforward dealings with President McKinley can Spain hope to prevent the fruition of the American policy, the advantage of which even peace-loving, moderate Americans cannot ignore."

   The Vienna correspondent of The Daily Telegraph says: "The project of a European conference regarding the Philippines was brought forward long ago, and there is every prospect that the conference will meet in Paris."

 

They Want the Philippines.

   SAN FRANCISCO, July 29.—The Merchants' association has adopted a resolution petitioning the president to hold and retain the Philippine Islands. Similar action will probably be taken within the next day or two by the chamber of commerce and other business organizations.

 

Burning of Siboney, Cuba, July 12, 1898.

PAGE TWO—EDITORIALS.

Life at Siboney.

   A letter from Siboney gives a vivid picture of the hardships and dangers of the American soldiers in that place. With Baiquiri and Aguadores, it constitutes one of the most notorious pest holes in eastern Cuba. The houses of the natives are of a primitive description, such as the people of London lived in six or eight hundred years ago. They are rather huts than houses, and are in an indescribable condition of filth. The walls and floors are never washed. When they are swept, the work is imperfectly done with a coarse palm leaf broom. The dirt left forms a hard cake on the floor. It contains all the germs of disease that ever afflicts the inhabitants. The occupants sleep in hammocks. When the sun is out, they close the swinging doors. As the houses contain but few windows, the ventilation is of the worst description. What should have been done when Siboney was taken and decided upon as a headquarters, was to burn all of these pest places. But this measure of sanitary precaution was neglected until after the yellow and malarial fever had broken out among the soldiers stationed there.

   The sufferings of victims of malarial fever are described as being hardly less than those of the victims of yellow fever. While the whole body is burning up with fever, the head and back are racked with pain. To these sufferings are added others when the patients are transported from the front where sleeping on the ground, a dangerous proceeding, and the drinking of impure water, another proceeding even more dangerous, have infected them with disease. "There is scarcely a cowpath in New Hampshire,'' says the writer, who was himself sick from fever, "which is not better than the one we traveled. The ambulance swung from side to side; it slumped heavily into ditches, and at every moment seemed about to capsize. Now and then we had to cross a stream whose banks were steep and muddy, and to the danger of capsizing was added the danger of drenching. We came to a bandaging station, and there the ambulance had to wait in the full glare of the sun… The waiting in the sun was worse for the fevered heads than the jolting of the roads. The sick men groaned and moved restlessly. Underway again, they groaned from the pain of the rough journey, and continually asked how far It was to the hospital."

   At the time the letter was written, July 13, the rainy season had set in. Before that, when there was a rain, the soldiers that had been drenched by some shower could easily dry themselves in the hot sun. But with the advent of the rainy season, the sun was under a cloud all the time, and the men had to lie down in their wet clothes in mud or in matted wet grass. Wood was becoming so scarce that no relief could be had from that source. The effect of this kind of life upon the soldiers was very depressing. "The weariness and discouragement of some of them," says the writer, "is overcoming their pluck. It is the supreme test of the struggle. The soldier who keeps up his pluck and cheerfulness now is a brave man, even if his knees shook when the shells were bursting in the woods the other day."

 

FROM FORT SLOCUM.

Letter from Aaron Sager, Jr., Who is in the Artillery.

   Major Aaron Sager this morning received a letter from his son, Aaron Sager, Jr., who enlisted to the Seventh artillery regiment at Syracuse and through Mr. Sager's kindness The STANDARD is permitted to publish the following extract from it:

   I am at present at Fort Slocum on the East River. We have just received our suits. By luck there is a fellow from Homer in the same company with me. I know him quite well, and was surprised to see him come into the armory at Syracuse. We expect to leave for Providence, R. I., to-morrow. Some of the company leave for Maine. As we are not near settled yet, we don't get much time for leisure. If I get settled anywhere to stay awhile I will send you my address.

   You can imagine what difficulty I am under as the light is very dull and my pencil is about an inch and a half long. Did not sleep much last night as I was riding on the train from 10 minutes after 10 to half past seven this morning, and the fellows were raising the "old Harry" all night. For clothing they allowed each of us three pairs of stockings, a flannel waist, three pairs of white gloves, a heavy overcoat, two wrappers, one pair of shoes, one brown suit with leggings to match, one blue suit, a soft brown hat, a cap for dress parade, and two pairs of summer drawers. I can't tell you half that I can think of because I have not much time left. I am feeling all right and am in good health at present.

   Your son, "Arrie."

 

Boys' Brigade Organizes.

   The boys' brigade, which is being organized for participation in the firemen's parade next Thursday, now numbers about fifty members. Last night the boys organized by electing officers as follows:

   Captain —Carl Beard.

   Lieutenant—Richard McNett.

   Corporals—Ward Jones, James Tuttle, Will Dunn and Paul Lewis.

   The boys meet every evening at 7 o'clock at the rear of the [Cortland] Normal school building for drill under the direction of A. B. Wraught. More boys are wanted, to make the brigade as large as possible.

 

Cortland Park.

Cortland City Band 1898.

Band Concert at the Park.

   There will be a concert at the park to-morrow evening by the Cortland City band, and free dancing will follow with music by the City band orchestra. These concerts have proved very popular hot evenings during the summer and great crowds have attended. There are comfortable seats through the grove for the accommodation of all and the [street]car service is first-class. For those who dance nothing can be finer than the pavilion floor with music by this splendid orchestra.

 

BREVITIES.

   —The circus is exhibiting on the vacant lot east of the D., L. & W. station and will show again to-night.

   —The "Y" will hold its regular meeting on Saturday evening at the W. C. T. U. rooms at 7:30 o'clock. All members are earnestly requested to be present. Special business.

   —New display advertisements to-day are—J. B. Kellogg, special sale, page 6; F. Daehler, straw hats, page 7; Angell & McFall, meat, page 6; Case & Ruggles, handkerchief bargains, page 4.