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| William McKinley. |
Cortland Evening Standard, Wednesday, August 10, 1898.
DIFFERENT VIEWS HELD.
Spain's Reply to Our Peace Terms Unsatisfactory.
PRESENTED TO M'KINLEY.
It is a Document Embracing About Twelve Hundred Words.
WASHINGTON, Aug. 10.—More than 21 hours after it had begun to reach Washington, the Spanish note in answer to the president's peace conditions was presented at the White House by the French ambassador. What the nature of the answer was can only be conjectured at this stage, the secretary of state at the conclusion of the conference making the formal statement that nothing whatever could be said upon the subject. The conference lasted an hour and 25 minutes. This prolonged discussion was believed to indicate that the Spanish answer was not satisfactory in all respects, though in just what points it fell short of meeting the expectations of the president it is impossible to say.
It was felt by the observers that had the answer been a complete acceptance of our terms, the result would have been made public. On the other hand it would be a strained inference to conclude that the answer was unsatisfactory entirely, for in that case, according to the president's statement heretofore made, his offer would have been definitely withdrawn and war resumed with greater energy than before. It would seem that there could scarcely be a good reason in this case for withholding the result of the conference. On the whole it is rather to be concluded that a middle result was obtained; that Spain was found to have attached certain conditions to her acceptance of the president's terms, but that the latter was not disposed to regard the injection of the new matter as sufficient in itself to warrant an immediate termination of the peace negotiations. According to this view, the president has taken exception to some of the Spanish conditions, but has allowed a last opportunity for them to be withdrawn or modified.
The reply of the Spanish government is understood to be a document embracing about 1,200 words. It bears the signature of the Spanish minister of foreign affairs, and the form of statement throughout is that of her majesty's government, similar to the American terms, being in the name of the president.
The Spanish reply is said to be divided into five points or heads, namely, Cuba, Porto Rico, Ladrone islands, occupation of Manila and appointment of a commission, which are treated in the order named. So far as could be learned no mention is made of the Cuban debt. The retention of arms and ammunition by the Spanish troops comes in for the indirect reference under the head of Cuba.
In the absence of an official statement it is impossible to give the Spanish position on the several American conditions. But the following is from the best information obtainable: In treating each subject—Cuba, Porto Rico, Ladrone, Manila and peace commission—an acceptance in some cases is understood to relate to conditions somewhat different to those laid down by the American government. As to Cuba, the American terms demanded the evacuation of the island, without specifying the future form of government. The Spanish sovereignty over Cuba will terminate, but because of the extent of Spanish interests there is said to take the view, either expressed or implied, that the United States should administer the affairs of the island.
The American conditions as to Porto Rico, the Ladrones, Manila, etc., are believed to be accepted, but the topics are treated at some length and it will require the full text to show how far the language used may be construed as an acceptance. The provision as to the commission is assented to. The commission is to consist of five commissioners on each side, with Paris as the probable meeting place. The Spanish reply is said to develop somewhat the scope of the commission, leaving to it not only the determination of the future of the Philippines, but also the details involved in the arrangement of a lasting peace.
The outcome of the conference is unknown, but the best opinion obtainable is that the matter is still open, that Ambassador Cambon will report to Spain the results of his efforts and the desires of this government and that another reply from Spain as to some details will be necessary to a final conclusion. There was just four parties to the conference—President McKinley and Secretary of State Day on the one side and M. Cambon, the French ambassador, and his first secretary of legation, M. Thiebaut, presenting the case of Spain.
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| Adjutant General Henry Clark Corbin. |
SANITARY ORDER.
Every Effort Being Made to Improve the Health of the Army.
WASHINGTON, Aug. 10.—Secretary Alger has determined to enforce every regulation which will improve the health of the various camps of the army. The fallowing peremptory order has just been issued by Adjutant General Corbin:
"It orders to prevent as far as possible the diseases incident to encampments of large bodies of men, namely, typhoid and malarial fevers, diarrhea and dysentery, and the further spread thereof which these diseases have already gained more or less headway, all officers, from the commanding general to company commanders, will exercise the utmost vigilance to enforce proper sanitary conditions in camp, and strict cleanliness of the person.
"The speedy destruction or removal with safety of all decaying substances present and future, and the rendering innocuous the feculent matter of the camp must be accomplished.
"The quartermaster's department will furnish lumber for floors to all tents. The general commanding camp will at once provide ample hospital facilities by arranging barracks where there is a shortage of hospital tents.
"No effort will be spared to carry this order into effect to the fullest extent and to this end those concerned will not rest content with the issuance of orders upon the subject, but they or their representatives, duly impressed with the grave responsibility, will immediately see to the commencement, continuance, superintendence and practical accomplishment, day by day, of the instructions imposed upon the command.
"The attention of all concerned is called to army regulations concerning interior economy, police and discipline of companies, circular No. 1, surgeon general's office, April 25, 1898, to marches and camping in the authorized drill regulations, to soldiers' handbook, and the remarks therein compiled from which easily accessible data, supplemented by his own and the practical experience of others, the commanding general of each camp will at once prepare and put into immediate execution a simple code of rules for the daily practical accomplishment of which he will assure himself, rendering daily reports to the adjutant general of the army. Copies of the rules promulgated will be sent at the earliest moment to the adjutant general of the army."
AFFAIRS AT CAMP ALGER.
Riot, Shooting, Accident and Death—Typhoid Cases Decreasing.
WASHINGTON, Aug. 10.—A disturbance caused by a number of men of the Third Virginia has created a sensation at Camp Alger and probably will result in the dishonorable discharge of a number of soldiers, A member of that regiment had trouble with a teamster outside the lines and blows were exchanged. It is said that the Virginian was getting the worst of it when a number of his comrades rushed across the sentry lines to his aid. General Butler, commanding the division, saw part of the outbreak and took a serious view of the incident and has announced his decision to have everyone engaged dishonorably discharged and all passes and furloughs are to be given by his personal order. Rollcall will be had four times a day and all absentees reported to the general. The members of the regiment will be confined to their quarters until further orders.
Preparations are making for the march to Thoroughfare Gap. A gratifying decrease is noted in the number of typhoid cases, only nine having been reported during the past 24 hours.
Private John Storr, Ninth Ohio battalion, colored, shot a colored woman last night and has not been seen since.
Private Martin Hansen, Company F, Sixty-fifth New York, shot off his hand and the surgeons decided to amputate his arm.
The remains of Private Ross, Company F, First Rhode Island, a typhoid patient who died Monday, were interred at Arlington.
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| Commodore Winfield Scott Schley. |
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| Rear Admiral William T. Sampson. |
PAGE TWO—EDITORIALS.
Admiral Sampson and Commodore Schley.
It is unfortunate that an attempt has been made to create a difference between Admiral Sampson and Commodore Schley over the destruction of the Spanish fleet. These gallant officers, each in his way, did the work which fate assigned to him. No one can question that Sampson, had not the duty of inspection called him away on the morning which Admiral Cervera selected for his disastrous sally, would have commanded the American fleet with the same results. It simply happened that immediate executive command at that culminating moment devolved on his subordinate. But it has been made clear that the disposition and arrangement of the ships and all provisions for alert sentry duty and for the work of just such an emergency had already been settled by the absent admiral. Commodore Schley did all that was required with an energy, dash and good judgment which could not have been surpassed. But it must be remembered that everything done was effected on the lines fixed by the admiral's prevision. Schley merely won the more showy glory by the accident of temporary command. It is not such a case as that of Lord Nelson, who actually planned the attack, arranged for all the exigencies as well as led the actual fighting at the battle of the Baltic, though Sir Hyde Parker flew the broad pennant of command. In the American example fully as much honor is due Sampson as Schley and an attempt to elevate the one at the expense of the other seems almost malicious.
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| USS Monterey. |
EXPEDITION ARRIVES.
DANGERS ENCOUNTERED AND PERILS ENDURED.
One of the Transports Caught Fire—Six Men and One Officer Died—Fifty More Were Taken Sick—Two Firemen Insane.
NEW YORK, Aug. 10.—A dispatch to The World from Manila via Hong Kong says: The third Philippine expedition is here, twenty-two days out from Honolulu. Never did an expedition encounter more dangers or endure more perils. On the voyage six men and one officer died and fifty more were taken sick. Typhoid and meningitis played havoc on the transports. Two firemen went insane and leaped overboard. But fire was the worst peril of all.
The fleet of transports and their convoy, the monitor Monterey, were three days out from Honolulu when fire was discovered aboard the transport Morgan City. One of the crew reported to Captain Dillon that there was a blaze in the coal bunkers. "Get out the hose," whispered the captain to the first mate. At midnight when all the troops were asleep Captain Dillon assembled the crew and told them the news. Every man was pledged to secrecy. Silently the men coupled on the hose and steam pipes. Then they began battling the flames in the hold. Next morning the fire was as fierce as ever. Night and day the heroic crew fought the fire, but with little success. And still the troops aboard did not know that a fire was burning beneath their feet.
The Morgan City fell off in speed and the whole fleet was delayed. Captain Dillon did not signal the flagship. He kept his men at work fighting the flames in the bunkers while the troops went about on deck all unconscious of their peril. The bunkers were still burning when the Morgan City arrived here. Then for the first time the troops learned of their danger. The flames were extinguished after the ship had been in port a few hours. On board the Morgan City were 600 men of the Idaho volunteers and a detachment of Nebraska volunteers.
Of the men dead, Roddy, Bowers and Lieutenant Kerr died on the Indiana. All their symptoms were the same. They began with a raging fever and lapsed into unconsciousness within a few hours. In thirty-six hours after the attack they were dead. Lieutenant Kerr had graduated from West Point in April last and was at once assigned to the engineer corps because of his high standing in his class.
Stockvill and Kelly were fireman. They became insane from the combined effects of the heat in the firerooms and from the sun overhead. It drove them crazy, and. running up on deck, with screams of agony, they jumped overboard and were lost.
For a thousand miles the heat was intense and stifling. The ships steamed along the twentieth parallel of latitude on a sea like glass with the temperature in the nineties. The fleet got a great welcome in Manila bay from the warships under Admiral Dewey, another from the transports there and a third from the troops ashore.
The sick are improving rapidly.
NEW PRESIDENT ELECTED.
CHARLES O. SCULL PRESIDENT OF THE E. & C. N. Y. R. R.
Stewart Browne Resigns—New President is Connected With the United States Fidelity and Guaranty Co. of Baltimore—All the Employees Paid to Date—All Liens upon the Roads to be Taken up at Once.
The Erie & Central New York R. R. has a new president. Two meetings of the board of directors of that railroad were held yesterday at the office of the company's attorney Irving H. Palmer. One was held at 10 o'clock in the morning, and at this meeting Stewart Browne of New York who was on July 12 elected director and president of the road, resigned. At the second meeting, which was held at the same place at 7 o'clock in the evening Charles O. Scull of Baltimore who is closely connected with the United States Fidelity and Guaranty Co. of Baltimore, was elected director and president to succeed Mr. Browne. This company has purchased nearly all the bonds of the railroad and intends to complete it at once. John B. Bland and J. S. Rosenthall of New York, president and one of the directors of the Fidelity and Guaranty company were yesterday in town and went all over the situation with the directors of the railroad. The Fidelity and Guaranty company last night advanced $5,500 with which to pay all employees of the railroad company in full to date, and it is its intention to take up all liens upon the railroad at once and pay them off.
Mr. Scull, the new president, has seen many years of service as an official of the Baltimore & Ohio, and the Pennsylvania railroads, particularly in the operating department, and is a recognized expert in railroad economics. He is reported to be a man of the highest character.
The railroad is now doing a fine business, and its freight and passenger traffic are steadily increasing. All has gone in so far, but very soon now there will be much produce to be shipped out which will still further add to the receipts.
LEHIGH VALLEY NOTES.
Improvements in Roadbed and Stations—Effect of Revenue Law.
The Lehigh is receiving a new lot of thirty-ton box cars fully equipped with all modern appliances.
Architect Gilman of Auburn is working on the plans for the new Lehigh Valley passenger station, which is to be erected in that city this fall. The structure will be of brick and cut stone and will cost $25,000.
It is stated the Lehigh Valley Railroad company is to soon begin the work of putting down rock ballast the entire length of the line from New York to Buffalo, and also straighten several curves near Leroy, N. Y.
In compliance with the new revenue law, the Lehigh Valley Railroad company must pay the government $440 for the privilege of paying its employees by check. The company issues 22,000 pay checks and each bears a two-cent revenue stamp.
LETTER FROM TAMPA.
Written by Robert G. Bryant to His Mother in Cortland.
The following letter from Robert O. Bryant of 4 Doubleday-st., Cortland, who is now in the army stationed at Tampa will interest many friends here:
CAMP OF FIRST AMBULANCE COMPANY,
FOURTH ARMY CORPS, TAMPA, FLA.
MY DEAR MOTHER—I was delayed until Monday morning on account of a lack of rations, the commissary department being closed Sunday until after train time. Fifteen of us left at 11:15 Monday morning arriving at Tampa at 7:30 Tuesday evening. It was raining very hard when we arrived and we walked one and a half miles through the rain and water; mud is unknown in this part of the country as the soil is composed mostly of white sand. When we arrived in camp we reported at headquarters and were assigned to tents, where we slept like logs.
From Yulee, a junction just north of Jacksonville, to Tampa the trains were hauled by wood-burning engines, had to stop once in twenty miles for wood. The road was blocked a great deal of the time by troop trains; most of the volunteers are being moved to Fernandina on the east coast. We expect to go on board transports Friday, but may be delayed for a day or two; then hurrah for Porto Rico.
I hope you are all well and that you don't worry about me. I am sitting on the ground with the paper on my knee while I write. We sleep three in a tent and have lots of room. We get plenty to eat and have lots of good straw to lie on.
The people down here like the regulars better than the volunteers, as they (the regulars) are better disciplined and don't get drunk so much. Most of the boys smoke and there is not much use trying to stop that, but I have got several of the boys to give up cigarette smoking. When I got down here I found that the water for drinking purposes is all boiled and "doctored" with nitro-muriatic acid.
I wish I hadn't brought so many things along as they are only in the way now and when we go the front I will have to get rid of a lot of them. Remember me to all of my friends in Cortland.
Lovingly your son,
ROBERT G. BRYANT, Tampa, Fla., Aug. 3, 1898.
NOW AT DUTCH ISLAND.
Letter From Aaron Sager in the United States Artillery.
Major Aaron Sager has received the following letter from his son, Aaron Sager, who enlisted in the Seventh regiment, United States artillery:
DUTCH ISLAND, R. I., Aug. 5, 1898.
DEAR FATHER—Having nothing to do at present as it is raining hard I thought I would write you. The island we are on is about the center of the bay and is not over an eighth of a mile wide in any direction. The wind has a fair chance at it and is blowing for all it is worth. Just before the storm began we were drilling, but the rain which came down in torrents soon drove us to our tents.
I must tell you of our trip from Ft. Slocum to Ft. Greble. We took one of the Fall River line steamers. It was fitted up very fine. In one of the beautiful saloons a German orchestra played choice selections. They had arranged to give bunks near the engineroom, but three of us took our blankets and tried to sleep on the upper deck. We did not sleep very much, as the fog whistle kept blowing nearly all night. We passed under the Brooklyn bridge. I had seen so many pictures of it it seemed like the realization of a dream. We traveled over the elevated railroad through New York.
I wish you could see the variety of fellows in our camp. All classes are represented. I can't see how some of them passed. My tent mates are young men of good character, although one of them is a Hungarian. He is cleanly and is different from most of that class of foreigners. While writing I stepped out of my tent to view a passing steamer. The wind blew the paper out of my hand and landed it in the mud. It has stopped raining, but the wind is still blowing hard. Write soon and send me a copy of The STANDARD occasionally. Remember me to the boys. I am having a good time.
Your affectionate son, AARON.
BREVITIES.
—The spectacle of a Cortland business man calmly standing at the edge of the miniature lake in Main-st. just above Railroad-st. this morning with fishpole in hand and trolling for fish was a forcible reminder of the necessity of the new pavement on Main-st., which is forthcoming in a short time.
—The regular meeting of the Political Equality club, which occurs on the third Monday of each month, will be postponed one week. The meeting will be held at the home of Mrs. Lucy L. Linderman, 85 Clinton-ave., Monday, Aug. 22 at 3 P. M. All members and friends are urged to be present.
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