NEWS BY THE VANCOUVER MAIL.

Evening Post, Volume LVI, Issue 21, 25 July 1898, Page 5

NEWS BY THE VANCOUVER MAIL.

AMERICAN TACTICS IN CUBA. The Victoria (8.C.) Colonist of 26th June says : — " In the Province of Santiago the rebels have always been strongest, and the selection of that point as the landing place for the invading force shows a disposition to rely considerably upon Cuban cooperation. With every desire to see the war brought speedily to an end by the defeat of Spain we are unable to see that recent events have tended to hasten such a consummation. Even if the city of Santiago is promptly captured this will not mean that Cuba has been conquered, because while Havana remains in the hands of Spain that power can give very effectual resistance to an invading force. If Spain can hold out for a few weeks longer the climate may begin to fight her battles, and then an army may melt away almost before its commander realises what is happening." The Madrid correspondent of The Times wires under date 29th June:— Even if Santiago should be captured matters will not be advanced much, as the concentrations of the American efforts at Santiago will give General Blanco time to complete his preparations for the main struggle. This change in the American plan of campaign, as shown in the Santiago expedition, is expected rather to prolong than to curtail the duration of the war. Regarding the prospects of peace, doubtless any solution consistent with national honour would be accepted, but the initiative must come from outside. A despatch from Manila dated 27th June states that the Spauiards claim to have driven the rebels back, but really the position is unchanged. A section of the insurgents dislike the Americaus, and desire German protection. Five German warships are at Manila. The Spauiards continue their nightly fusilades, but the volunteers decline to go to the treuches, while many of the regulars are idling about the town. ■ ■

THE SITUATION AT MANILA. Despatches received at Madrid from Manila report that the Spaniards are determined to fight to the death. There is every reason to believe that when the American troops arrive desperate fighting will occur on land and sea. It is supposed at Manila that the German warships will prevent the bombardment of that place. This is causing much irritation among the officers and men of the American lleet. Speaking of the condition of Manila, a resident says concerning its defences :—: — " Well, something is being done, but in the past everything has been so sadly neglected that it will be impossible to make up the deficiencies in time. The cannon, for instance, include some over 100 years old, which have a coating of rust inches deep. A colonel of artillery, to whom these were handed over for tho defence of the city, in despair took his own life." The fact that the railway company has not been interfered with while the immediate country is involved in very serious and formidable revolution demonstrates, it is

claimed—First, that thfi Philippines are not savages warring just for the excitement of the thing; second, that they are a peaceful and easily-governed people, and are regarding with respect the wishes of their recognised leader*; third, that they value the goodwill and sympathy of Europeans who live in the Philippines, and will unquestionably see to it that these foreigners are protected to the fullest possible extent. The Daily Telegraph correspondent at Manila, under date 27th June, wires :—Tim situation is growing unbearable. The be- v sieging force give us no rest, and the Avork of the Spanish troops on the line of defence is terrible. They are fighting with desperation and resignation. They have no nourishing food, and for days have been reduced to eating wild birds and shell fish. Still, «itli starvation stariug them in the face they hold their position and fight with the courage of their race. The population is in a slat' of terror.

THE CAMARA SQUADRON. A despatch to the Daily Mail from Port Said relates that a distinguished naval officer who has carefully examined Admiral Camara's ships laughs at the idea of Admiral Camara attempting to reach Manila. Toe Spaniards, he says, are wise to keep the fleet out of the Americans' way. The battleship Pelayo and the armoured cruiser Emperado Carlos Quiuto are in scandalous repair, and are hardly seaworthy, while it will be impossible for the torpedo boat destroyers to get far. The Spaniards cannot keep the engines trimmed.

THE PROPOSED ATTACK ON SPANISH PORTS. The Madrid correspondent of The Times says that if the United States imagine that the threat to bombard Spanish ports would induce the Spaniards to recall Camara and sue for peace the Americans are bound to be disappointed. The threat will only tend to excite the bulldog qualities of the Spanish national character. When these are aroused prudence aud logic alike are powerless. Peace prospects are therefore much less bright than they were a week ago. It is argued that if the United States were to show so little regard for the usages of civilised warfare as to bombard small open towns America might kill a few peaceful inhabitants and injure private property, but the practical effect of such a flagrant infraction of the laws of war would merely be to inflame the war spirit of the Spaniards. As to fortified ports, experience in Cuba and Puerto Rico has shown that the fire of men-of-war makes but little impression, and America would find it much harder to maintain a fleet off the coast of the Peninsula than at a few hours' sail from Key West. A despatch to the New York World from Madrid expresses the opinion that more than 50 ports between the boundary of Portugal and the French frontier will suffer from the visit of the American squadron. Serious resistance must be expected by the fleet at Ferrol, Cadiz, Corunna, Algeciras, Ceuta, Barcelona, and Cartagena, both from fortifications and mines. Torpedoes have been prepared and carefully planted at these points iv the last two months. Spain has also about 20 torpedo boats, of 120 tons each, manned by crews and officers trained in torpedo schools. The Spanish arsenals are working night and day to get the second reserve fleet ready. Six thousand reserve sailors and 35,000 of the army reserve have been called out. All of the principal garrisons, including those of the Balearic Islands, have been reinforced, mostly by artillery, of which. Spain has 17 regiments. The peace party is gaining ground daily in the middle and working classes, particularly in the provinces. A despatch to The World from Paris says the French opinion is not yet well defined in reference to the United States action in bringing the war to Europe. All the deputies in the Chamber who were consulted expressed fears of unforeseen complications as a result. The Temps praises Sagasta's sagacity in dissolving the Cortes, thus preventing the Government from being hampered as Palmerston was by the British Parliament during the Crimean War. The Journal dcs Debats says such a bombardment only exasperates the populations bombarded. They are excusable only when heralding serious attempts to take important towns. Neutrality .laws will be strictly enforced, aud the American fleet may easily find itself in some straits. La Presse calls the movement Machiavellian, as it aims at getting much by seeking a great deal more

THE STATE OP HAVANA. The reports which have reached President M'Kinley as to the exact state of affairs in Havana are conflicting. In some cases the town was declared to be on the verge of starvation, in others food supplies were said to be still abundant. As a matter of fact, the truth probably lies between these extremes, aud while supplies of a certain character are very scarce in Havana, there is no lack of others, it is known, for instance, that while flour may be scarce, large quantities of beef have reached Havana.