THE SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR.

Otago Witness, Issue 2320, 18 August 1898, Page 18

THE SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR.

PEACE AGREED UPON.

WASHINGTON, August 8. A Spanish transport has arrived at Santiago, and commenced shipping the troops ■who formed the captured garrisons to Europe. General Slnfter reports 3681 cases of sickness amongst the American troops in Cuba, including 263S of fever.

The New York World states that General Garcia has stopped drawing rations from the Americans for 1200 Cubans under his leadership. 11 is expected that he will join the forces of Gomez, who has threatened a guerrilla war because General Shafter refused to allow the Cubans to rule the conquered districts. August 9. The details of Spain's reply to the terms on which America is prepared to negotiate a peace have .not yet transpired. The general impression is that the conditions have been accepted so far as to allow of the cessation of hostilities and the initiation of regular negotiations.

j It is reported that -the reply sent by Spain is still subject to approval by the Spanish , Coites. | It is believed America will insist on the Spanish Cabinet taking the responsibility. August 10. Typhoid is prevalent in the American ! camp at Santiago. General Shafter telei graphed to the authorities here that ovor 175 per cent, of those who had malarial : fever are recovering slowly. The army, \ however, are unfit to stand an attack of I yellow fever or ctysentery, owing to the 20 ! days' hard campaigning they have gone '. through, with only meat, bread, and coffee for food, and without a change of clothing or shelter. Recent arrivals, he added, ', were quite well. ! Colonel Roosvelt in a letter to General Shafter says that to keep the troops in Santiago will involve the destruction of a thousand men, who will die like rotten | sheep if the yellow fever obtains a hold in tho camps. In connection with the peace negotiations the Spaniards talk of claiming the re- ' mains of Columbus, which are interred in Havana Cathedral. General Shafter reports that 412 fresh ] cases of malaria] fever- have occurred among the American troops ot Santiago. The War Office is giving Colonel Gordon (military adviser to the Australasian Governments) many facilities for inspection and gaining information, which will prove of great value to the colonies concerned. The Spaniards twice attacked the American lines around Manila on July 31. During the engagement 200 men were killed and 3uU wounded. The insurgents remained j neutral. After the American troops had entrenched themselves near Manila they were unmolested foi 16 hours. At midnight during a most torrential rain, 3000 Spanish troops, covered j by a heavy fire of shells from the guns, ', made a desperate attack on the American ! outposts at Malate, driving the pickets in i and forcing Jay Denny's regiment from the trenches. After two hours' fighting the American troops were reinforced, and they charged and routed the Spaniards. Of the American troops engaged 10 men were killed and 47 wounded. The Spaniards lost 300 killed, while 900 were wounded. The Americans' earthworks are subjected I nightly to a heavy shelling by the Spanish artillery. M. Cambon. the French Ambassador in Washington, who is acting for Spain, has presented the reply of Spain to the terms of peace offered by the American Government. American newspapers, commenting on the reported purport of Spain's reply, complain that Spain is temporising. The American force under Brigadier general Wilson captured the town of Coama "(Porto Rico), 35 miles south-west of San Juan. The Spanish loss was heavy. It is the intention of the American Government, immediately on the conclusion of peace, to send a powerful squadron to Europe, under Admiral Sampson, to give ocular demonstration of the qualities of the American fleet.

August 11. Mr Day, Secretary of State, has agreed with M. Cambon, the French- Ambassador, who is representing Spain, to issue a protocol, embodying the terms of peace, including the evacuation of Cuba and Porto Rico.

It is expected the protocol •will be issued immediately. The Peace Commission to settle the final terms will meet in Paris. Mr Day will probably "be the chief American representative. Famine prevails in Manila, in the Philippines. The richest people are slaughtering dogs and hor&es for food. The natives are eating rats and mice. The insurgents bombarded the town and killed several women. August 12. The protocol embodying the terms of peace between America and Spain allows the Snaniards to leave Porto Rico and Cuba with arms, equipments, and all the honours of war. Adjutant-general Corbin has telegraphed to General Miles to suspend hostilities, peace being assured. He asks him to inform the Spanish commander of the fact. Brigadier-general Schwan repulsed a large Spanish force with heavy loss near Mayaquez, on the west coast of Porto Rico. i Garcia, the insurgent leader, a,<; tfie, U«wJ

of 8000 men, is besieging Holquin, 65 milei from Santiago. It is expected that the peace protocol between America and Spain will be signed this afternoon.

The New York Herald states that it is largely duo to the friendship of England that America was not involved in a war with another Power. The American press urges the retention' by America of the Philippines. August 13. Half an hour before the protocol was signed, the Americans successfully bombarded Manzanilla, in Cuba. 'llic protocol was signed on Friday. Spain relinquishes her title to Cuba, cedes Porto Rico and other Indian islands to America, all to be immediately evacuated under commissioners. America will hold Manila pending arrangements of a treaty which shall determine the disposition of the Philippines.

A peace commission meets in Paris before October 1.

Fighting has been stopped everywhere, and the blockades of Cuba and Manila have been raised.

August 14. It is estimated that the war has already cost America one hundred and fifty million dollars.

Brigadier-general Schwan occupied Maya* gueg unopposed. The Spaniards withdrew from the town.

LONDON, August 8. The Queen Regent of Spain has approved of the reply drawn up by the Cabinet to the American peace proposals. The reply, which is in guarded and dignified language, accepts the preliminary conditions imposed by America, stating that Spain bows to the force of circumstances, without having done anything to provoke the war. It suggests' that the future of the Philippines; should be decided by a commission, that Porto Rico should be left in the hands of Spain, and asks for the siupei pion of hostilities pendhr the definite conclusion of peace. Senor Sagasta, thp Spanish Premier., as the result of a consultation with the leaders of the various political parties, states that he has found that a large majority of the prominent politicians desire peace. It is reported that President M'Kinley has refused the suggestion of the Spanish Government for an international commission to determine the future of the Philippines. A Carlist agent is making heavy purchases of war munitions in England. He is said to have bought 20,000 rifles and a million cartridges

MADRID, August 9. A Republican Band has beer, formed in the province of Valencia. BERLIN, August 10. The German newspapers are protesting against what they term America's grabbing policy in annexing the Hawaii group and the island of Tutuila.

SYDNEY, August 11. The latest files from Manila state that Admiral Dev/ey is preparing to bombard the city. Only 5000 Spaniards are holding the outer lines) and it is expected that they will quickly succumb. The hospitals are full of Spanish sick and wounded. Water and food are very scarce. Aguinado has constituted a rebel Cabinet. August 12.

The American colony here has cabled to President M'Kinley, "Our prayer is, hold the Philippines."