NEWS OF THE WEEK.
THERE is no war news, and very little but rumour in regard to peace. It seems probable, however, that M. Cambon has been authorised to accept the American terms (i.e., Spain to withdraw absolutely from her former American possessions, and the fate of the Philippines to be settled by a joint Commission between the two Powers), but that the Spaniards are debating minor points as regards the disposi- tion of war material and the period of evacuation. A more important point is the responsibility for Cuban indebtedness ; but, of course, as to this there can only be one answer. The Debt incurred to subdue Cuba attaches to Spain. Meantime, the news as to the health of the army at Santiago is very serious. The chief officers have gone so far as to sign an address to General Shafter declaring it to be their unanimous opinion "that this army should be at once taken out of Cuba and sent to some point on the northern coast of the United States." The army is, they say, disabled by malarial fever to such an extent that its efficiency is destroyed, "and that it is in a condition to be practically entirely destroyed by an epidemic of yellow fever, which is sure to come in
the near future. The army must be moved at once or perish." If it is not, the persons who prevent its being moved will be responsible for the unnecessary loss of many lives. The discipline of the American Army in its higher grades is very severe. We may gather from this fact what must be the sanitary condition of the troops. No ordinary reasons would have induced United States general officers to write and publish such an address. Its effect has been instantaneous, and the army will at once be moved. Let us hope that the Spanish Government will not be so foolish as to make this fact the ground for holding out for better terms. General Fever may annoy the Americans, but he will not really help Spain, or alter by one hair's- breadth the inevitable consequences of the war.
