THE SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR.

Otago Witness, Issue 2318, 4 August 1898, Page 17

THE SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR.

Washington, July 26

The vanguard of General Miles's expedition to Porto Rico is being disembarked at Ponce, 50 miles south-west of San Juan.

Five thousand Cubans at Cienfuegos, Cuba, have appealed to Admiral Sampson to speedily capture that town in order to avert starvation.

July 27. _ A contingent of General Miles's expedition operating against Porto Rico occupied the village ot Guanica, 65 miles &outh-west of San Juan. The Americans met with but slight resistance. The Spaniards were taken by surprise, as they had expected San Juan to be iiv&t attacked.

July 28. American newspapers agree that "Spain must surrender Cuba,, Porto Rico, and accept an American protectorate over the j Philippines. I The War party are averse to negotiating ' a peace till Porto Rico and Manila ha-.e j been c.ijn'ured. j Tlit: .' are 3370 cases of malarial fever j am'jK *t tbo American troops at Santiago, and c c\u\d deaths have occurred from yellow fever. The J.iu.mese press favour the Americans or the British retaining the Philippines. July 29. Senator Davies, chairman of the Senate's '' Foreign Committee, in the course of a j 'speech said he welcomed the iacren^ing \ friendly relations with England.. Under , great pi ensure there was> a great lump in the , evolution of feeling. j President M'Kinley is trying to asccrtiin j the wishes of the nation with regard to the j terms of peace which Spain should be le- | ({Hired to accept. The Jingoes arc clamour- > ing for the retention of the Philippines. July 31. I Tlie .American Cabinet Lave informed tlie . Spanish Government that the basis of peace j negotiations must be the absolute cession to ■ America of all the Spanish West Indian J islands excepting Cuba ; the relinquisliment , of Spanish sovereignty over Cuba, America J controlling the island until a stable Govern- j meut has been established ; the cession of a coaling station in the Ladronc Islands, and j perhaps another cooling htation in the Ca.ro- ] jiuo Islands ; the non-assumption by America of the debts of Cuba and Porto Rico. .'f the above concessions are granted ! America will claim no war indemnity. A joint commission is suggested to arrange the terms of peace, conditional upon all the Spanish troops being immediately removed from Cuba and Porto Rico. With regard to the Philippines it is proposed that America shall control Manila and the adjacent territory. The future of the Philippines is to be determined later on, •when America has beeu informed what obligation she has incurred with the insurgents. Spain is warned that the questions of the i cession of the West Indian islands and a j cooling station at the Ladroiiess cannot form subjects for discussion. August 1. Admiral Dewey, in command of {lie Ame- I rhan fleet at Manila, lias telegraphed that j Aguinaldo, the insurgent loader, who was I brought from Hongkong by the Americans, j , in order to lead the insurgents in harassing the Spanish troops, is now boldly defiant. J He recently proclaimed himself dictator. I Admiral Dewcy adds that there are strong indications that before America could govern the Philippines it would be necessary to fight the insurgents led by Aguinaldo. "A strong American force would be required to, defeat the insurgents. Madrid, July 27. Acting under instructions from Senor Sat^asta, the Spanish Premier, M. Cambon, the French Ambassador at Wabhingto", has made a request to the American authorities for a cessation of hostilities and 'he opening of negotiations for peace. Replying to this request President M'Kinley 'ias intimated that personally he is favourable to the discussion of the teims of peace, and will consult his Cabinet. July 29. The Spanish newspapers consider the conditions outlined would be acceptable if the Philippines -were respected and no indemnity is asked from Spain. Admiral Camara's squadron have arrived at Cadiz. August 1. The Spanish authorities consider the American demand for the surrender of Porto Rico and {he refusal to recognise the Cuban and Poito Rico debts to be flagrant injustices. London', July 27. Reports have been received from Madrid thai. Admiral Dewey, in command of the American fleet in the Philippines, has bombarded Manila, supporting the attack of tho city by an army comprising 12,000 Americans ' and 20.000 natives under Aguinaldo. July 28. Owing to British representations, the SpjuMi military preparations, which have been proceeding for a considerable time at (Jibiallar Bay, "have been discontinued.