Cortland Evening Standard, Saturday, July 30, 1898.
SPAIN IS NOT HUMBLED.
She Has Not Asked an Armistice or a Truce.
SAGASTA INTERVIEWED.
He Would Never Beseech the Enemy Not to Strike.
LONDON, July 30.—The Madrid correspondent of The Times says that according to a newspaper statement Senor Gamazo, Spanish minister of public instruction and public works, said in the course of an interview in Madrid:
"Spain has not asked an armistice or even a suspension of hostilities. That would be tantamount to beseeching the enemy not to strike us. We shall never come to that.
"The message of the United States, while recognizing the superiority of the Yankee forces and their military operations, is confined to terms so dignified that when the document is published no one will be able to say it is humiliating. It asks whether the United States are disposed to make peace, but request neither truces or armistices."
OUR TERMS UNJUST.
Spain Not Willing to Give Up Anything but Cuba.
LONDON, July 30.—A special dispatch from Madrid says: "Though it is not likely that the government will decide to prolong the war because of Porto Rico, considerable feeling is manifested and every possible diplomatic effort will be made to retain it.
"Apparently there is little objection to ceding a coaling station in the Philippine islands provided Spanish sovereignty is respected in the islands which, in the opinion of the government and official circles generally, will afford compensation in commerce for the loss of the Antilles, besides procuring occupation for the West Indian army in re-establishing Spanish rule.
"The American reply is still anxiously awaited. Judging from press opinions anything beyond the cession of Cuba will be considered harsh and unjust. This is the unanimous feeling among even the strongest advocates of peace. The people are beginning to realize that peace will mean almost a total loss of colonies, and looking to the delicate and difficult position of the queen regent great care is still necessary to induce the nation to accept the terms."
ONE GREAT BARRIER.
Spain Will Never Consent For America to Control the Philippines.
WASHINGTON. July 30.—It was stated in a high diplomatic quarter in such manner as to give semi-official character to the expression, that if American control or supervision of the Philippines was an indispensable condition laid down as the basis for peace negotiations, it was practically certain that the Spanish government would not accede to this condition but would determine rather to continue the war.
As to the other peace conditions understood to have been decided by the cabinet those who are best able to judge the disposition of the Spanish government feel that while these are hard, yet that they do not present any insurmountable barrier to the speedy restoration of peace.
Hamilton Fish's Funeral.
NEW YORK, July 30.—The funeral services over the body of the late Sergeant Hamilton Fish Jr., of the Rough Riders, who was killed in the assault on Santiago, were held in St. Mark's Episcopal church. There was a tremendous crowd in the vicinity of the church when the services began and many were unable to enter the building.
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| Spanish armored cruiser Vizcaya. |
PAGE TWO—EDITORIALS.
The Iron on the Flesh.
Nothing in the course of Spanish history has galled the people of that proud nation like the disparity of the losses between the United States and Spain in every naval battle that has occurred in this war. They could have endured defeat if their enemies had suffered any appreciable loss, but the present situation is beyond their comprehension. The Spanish editors voice the sentiments of the people as shown by the following quotations from recent Madrid newspapers:
"Montojo's squadron yesterday—Cervera's squadron to-day," the Heraldo of Madrid exclaims. "This is horrible. This is dreadful. On account of the lost ships? No Spaniard would weep over ships lost in another Trafalgar. On account then of the blood that was shed? There is Cuba covered with our blood, and nobody ever thought of it. What makes our grieving greater is not the extent of our disaster, but the consideration that what for us was annihilation, was for the Yankees the affair of one moment.
These figures tell their own tale: Cadars is killed and with him hundreds of obscure heroes fell also. But what did it cost Dewey to produce such a terrible catastrophe? Six wounded sailors. Our best fighting ships, our admirable cruisers and swift destroyers are sunk off the Cuban coast, their crews are slain or captured with Admiral Cervera at their head; but what did such a complete victory cost Sampson? One dead and two wounded. These figures make not only a striking contrast but they produce the effect of red hot iron on the flesh.
"What? Are there no means by which we may kill as we are killed? Is there no means by which the guns of our ships may cause a slight scratch on the enemy?"
Capt. Aunon, the minister of Marine, is quoted by El National as having said: "If the American warships come to Spain, I with whatever craft be left to us shall go to head them off or perish. Such is my duty."
The cost of Cervera's defeat is agreed by El Nacional as: Vizcaya, $3,000,000; Oquendo, $3,600,000; Maria Teresa, $3,600,000; Cristobal Colon, $4,400,000; Pluton, $500,000; Furor, $500,000; artillery, $3,800,000. Total, $20,000,000.
"That is to say $20,000,000, of which Sampson has given a good account in three or four hours," is the comment of El Nacional.
◘ The London Spectator asserts that by 1950 the American people will have grown so strong that "they can crush any people except the Slavs." Why except the Slavs? Why not make it unanimous?
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| Camp Alger, Va. Colored troops in skirmish drill. |
LIFE AT CAMP ALGER.
Part of a Personal Letter from Chester G. Smith, Formerly of Cortland.
We are permitted to publish parts of a personal letter from Chester G. Smith, formerly of Cortland to Attorney W. C. Crombie of Cortland. Mr. Smith is a son of Mr. and Mrs. C. H. Smith, formerly of Cortland, now of Truxton. He was a Normal [School] student here and studied law in Mr. Crombie's office, was admitted to the bar in Buffalo and opened an office there. When the war broke out he enlisted in the Sixty-fourth regiment, N. Y. Vols., but that regiment was left home and Mr. Smith succeeded in getting transferred to Company C of the Sixty-fifth regiment, which is now stationed at Camp Alger, Va. The letter, omitting certain personal parts, is as follows:
CAMP ALGER, Va., July 21, 1898.
MY DEAR MR. CROMBIE—Your very kind letter reached me this morning, and I at once thank you for it and the well wishes expressed. I have desired ever since receiving your former letter to write to you, but until within a few days have been either too busy or fagged out to do so. Our routine, however, is now changed so that the entire afternoon is a tour disposal, and I am just beginning to make an inroad upon long unanswered communications.
The excessive heat here made afternoon drilling impossible, and therefore with the exception of dress parade in the evening at 7 our work is confined to the forenoon.
JULY 22.
Was interrupted yesterday afternoon by the captain, who wished some work done on the company's accounts, and am now lying in my dog tent after a good mess and hard forenoon's drill. It is not quite as warm to-day, but still am compelled to strip down to underclothes in order to keep cool. We have the large Sibley tent shaped like a large cone, and besides, each man is furnished with one-half of a dog tent, (or shelter-tent as it is often called), which forms a part of his equipment. Two men bunk together in them. The halves button, and with jointed poles and turned pins, the tent is easily put up. When up it is about 40 in. high and 5 1/2 ft. square. The halves have a flap at one end and these button together and close one end of the tent. They are very handy and we consider them the most convenient part of our equipment. During this warm weather, many of us have pitched our little tents out in the streets, finding them more comfortable than the large tents where fifteen are housed. My mate and I have built up the sides of our tent with logs, making it higher and more cozy. By running a ditch around it on the outside it is made water tight. We sleep here and, even though the hard ground is our bed, we have become so accustomed to it now as not to notice the hardness.
There is much of army life that I could write you about, but it would have to appear in chapters, there being too many things to write about to be confined to one letter. We have been out since Sunday, May 1, were at Camp Black, L. I., until May 19, having been mustered into the regular service on the 17th. Our life there was a hard one, rain falling nearly every day. The nights were cool and damp, and it was remarkable that, coming from the office, I should not have been down with sickness. Was surprised at myself, and even now I am among the few men of the company who have not been on the sick list. To make it all worse, we ran from the chill and rain of Camp Black into the burning sun of Camp Alger, May 20 and many of the men fell out on a mere two and one-half miles march from the station here. Well, it was a teaser. We had not slept any the night before, and instead of running us out from Washington in the cool of the morning, we were kept there from 2 to 9 A. M., having a mid-day sun to march under. Our packs weighing about 50 pounds and rifle 10 pounds made a pretty heavy load for us then, and although I "stuck her through" was well played out at the finish. Since then we have twice been out on practice marches of fifteen miles down to the Potomac river, leaving camp at 6 and arriving at the camping ground at 10:30 A. M. An hour after arriving a mere plain becomes dotted with little tents and 3,500 men lie in them or else move about among them. We go in brigades, three regiments to the brigade. Our brigade is the First of the First division, Second army corps and includes the Seventh Ohio, First New Jersey and Sixty-fifth New York. Gen. Butler is in command of the brigade and Gen. Graham of the corps.
These practice marches are not "snaps" at all, but we are anxious to take them, for they furnish a change and test of endurance, not to mention the fine swim in the Potomac on arrival. The camp there (at Cabin John) is located on a plateau overlooking the river, and the scenery and surroundings are grand. In fact all this section of Virginia is grand. It is so different from the North. And the people—well, the change is remarkable. Coming down here from the hustle of the North inclines one to believe that the South is sleepy and dead. The climate has something to do with the apparent ennui but, nevertheless, it must be said of this locality that it is very unprogressive. The colored race predominates, and the farms are but half managed, while the whitewashed cabin seems to satisfy. I should say that Northern thrift could do well here, but the average Southerner here just lives along, tilling just enough to live upon, too lazy to clean the woodland, taking life easy and with little thought of the morrow. I have seen many homes which claim the best blood of the section, and matters are the game with them. I ran across a whitewashed home with barns tumbling down a short distance from camp one day, located back in the woods away from what we would call civilization in the North and became acquainted with an elderly lady, claiming cousinship to Fitzhugh Lee, she being a Fitzhugh—the blue bloods of Virginia. She was somewhat distant and while a perfect lady, seemed to hold a grudge against a Northern soldier. The old feeling was not yet dead. I was a little surprised, of course, but have since found that many of this "old school" exist. The younger generation (the new South) are entirely different, and give no show of the past. The older heads cannot forget their losses from Northern troops during the civil war. This was a war section in those days: Fairfax courthouse is but 7 miles from here, Falls Church 3 1/2, Alexandria 8, Bull Run 40, and all this territory was overrun with troops thirty-five years ago. Washington is 10 miles northeast. Go in there quite often. Visited senate and house before adjournment. It is a "slow" city, little business hustle.
Army life has settled down so as to be more bearable than during our first month out. Then officers and men were finding their respective places. It was excessively galling. The most petty officer seemed to think himself "tete d' armie," "head of the army," but this has disappeared to a large extent, and they appear to have learned that privates are not dogs, and that their success depends upon the private. Instead of pulling apart as at first they now pull more together. It is much pleasanter, and there is less grumbling in the ranks.
Our drilling is all of the "extended order" kind now. This is single rank with two paces between men, presenting a less solid front to the enemy's fire. The day of mass fighting went out with the old guns. Our firing is done kneeling or lying, the advance being by rushes at about 50 yards, depending upon the character of the ground. Every man on the firing line is taught to take cover when possible, the one object being to present as small a target as possible. The battle at Santiago, where both forces lay in entrenchments shows the new order. Also at El Caney where the blockhouse was taken. Of course in assaulting mass play is necessary. I wish you would visit camp and see what it is for yourself, for I know, you are much interested in these matters.
We expect to move camp about three mile s west next week, where we shall have rifle practice, a range being built there. We do not yet know whether we go to Porto Rico, and as for myself have quit guessing. New rumors go the rounds daily and I have tired of them. If not Porto Rico it will be Havana sure. Anywhere will do if there is fighting, but we chafe under the delay and continued camp life.
Have written more than expected at beginning. Shall be pleased to write when find time. Remember me kindly to family, Mr. Hollenbeck and Tom, and write when convenient. Ever yours,
CHET.
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NEARLY ALL COMING.
EIGHT COMPANIES WILL REPRESENT ITHACA AT CORTLAND.
Firemen Manifest Much Interest in the Approaching Convention—Special Trains and Special Rates from Ithaca—Will the Next Convention go to University City?
(From the Ithaca Journal, July 29.)
Ithaca's firemen have about completed arrangements for attending the Central New York Firemen's convention, which is to be held in Cortland next week. Ithaca is to be fully represented as every company in the city with the exception of the Protective Police has signified its intention of participating in the grand parade in full uniform and with very nearly full ranks. This will be a grand total of eight Ithaca companies in line and, as nearly as can be estimated, 400 men from Ithaca alone.
Word comes from Cortland that other towns in the convention district are also to be well represented so that it will be fair to assume that with the shortening of the line of march, which has been the policy of the Cortland committee, is to bring its reward in having the best and largest convention since the association has been organized. All the companies have engaged quarters in the various hotels. Foreman Delano and Assistant Foreman Vivian were in Cortland yesterday to make arrangements for quarters for Tornado Hook & Ladder company No. 3, which company voted to go and take the Ithaca band. The officers succeeded in making satisfactory arrangements at the Cortland House for the company. Two meals are to be provided, dinner and supper, and two large rooms placed at the company's disposal for change of costume, etc.
Cortland has already assumed a gala day look, professional decorators having taken possession of the town with the result that everywhere is seen a profusion of colors.
Torrent Hose company No. 5 will enter the hose race and it is quite probable that No. 7 will enter one of the contests, either the hub and hub or hose race. The Ithaca band will compete for the prize and has been for some time faithfully rehearsing the prize overture. Conductor Conway has practically decided to play the overture William Tell but has not yet picked the march to be played. He has several new ones to choose from which are excellent and will prove very popular. The band that will accompany No. 3 will number forty men. Some of the other companies are contemplating taking bands so that in addition to furnishing Cortland with a large attendance of firemen Ithaca will also furnish plenty of music.
The big day of the convention when the parade occurs and the races and other events are decided is Thursday.
The Lehigh Valley railroad has arranged to run a number of special trains to and from Cortland on Thursday. The first train will leave the East Ithaca station about 7 A. M., one at 9 A. M. and one at noon. Returning there will be a number of trains, several late at night after the band contest. The company has also made a round trip rate of 50 cents.
As regards the holding of the convention here next year it is quite certain to come. Chief McCormick informed a Journal reporter that in the canvass for funds for the entertainment of the convention the committee met a ready response and of the $1,800 necessary $1,200 has already been subscribed by the hotel and cafe proprietors alone, so that it will be easy work to get the balance.
DECORATION PROGRESSING.
The Town Already Presents a Holiday Appearance.
The firemen's convention comes next week and Cortland already presents a holiday appearance. There are a half a dozen decorators here besides the official decorator and all seem to be doing a thriving business. Many of the public buildings and business blocks are already handsomely decorated, and the private dwellings are also beginning to blossom out. The three large arches are completed and look very fine. "Old Glory" is in evidence everywhere, a large proportion of the decorations being of flags, and nothing could be handsomer. By the time the convention begins on Tuesday the village will look fine enough to excite the admiration of all the visitors.
BREVITIES.
—Church notices found on the eighth page to-day.
—Let no one forget the caucuses tonight at the various places. See call on second page.
—A regular meeting of the managers of the Hospital association will be held at the hospital Monday next, Aug. 1, at 3 o'clock P. M.
—Band concert at the park to-night. Free dancing follows. City band and City band orchestra. Cars every twenty minutes. Everybody go.
—The union service will to-morrow evening be held at the Presbyterian church, the sermon being preached by Rev. O. A. Houghton, D. D., pastor of the First M. E. church.
—The double house of Frank A. Bickford on Orchard-st. was sold by Hector Cowan to-day at the courthouse upon a mortgage cash sale and was bought by John Courtney, Jr. for $1,095.
—W. H. Smith of Cincinnatus, foreman of the track laying gang on the E. & C. N. Y. R. R., was in town Thursday. Mr. Smith thinks the road will be extended to this place soon.—South Otselic Gazette.
—The will of the late Senator O'Connor of Binghamton has just been published in the Binghamton papers. His estate amounts to $105,000, of which $25,000 is in real estate and $80,000 in personal property, the latter including a life insurance of $40,000.
—The Lestershire Boot and Shoe company of Lestershire, Broome county, has received an order for 30,000 pairs of shoes for the army to go to Porto Rico. Working day and night it can finish them in a week. It has just finished an order for 50,000 to go to the Philippines.
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