The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-07-26
It Has Been Fitted Out So as to In.
sure Efficiency.
HE HAS NOT DISCUSSED PEACE.
The President Has Had Nothing TO
Say on This Subject To the Repre-
sentative of Any Foreign Nation
Want Europe To See That
We Are Able to Main
tain oar Rights.

WASHINGTON. July &.-.The opera
tions OF the Porto Rican expedition arc
not awaited by the Department with the
same anxiety which attended those
against Santiago. The expedition has been
carefully fitted out. and has proceeded
with sufficient elaboration TO insure eni-
cheney. Though up to l o'clock to-day the
Department had received no Information
from General Miles no impauence nor
anxiety Wis shown. IL is not anticipated
that Porto Rico can be taken without en-
countering determined resistancs; but Y
is believed that tho island cannot hol'
out as long as Santiago did. and that this
engagements are not apt TO be attended
by 4 serious loss Of life on our side. IL
is not thought that General Miles VIII
encounter serious resistance IN making
his first landing. nor that he will have
any difficulty In maintaining the position
he takes until the entire army arrives.
The expedition IA we'll provided with
artillery. and the artillery is TO be relied
on 10 a very considerable extent. 80 that
the troops viii not be subjected TO tho
terrible rife fire which has 10 be en-
counterod i'm an assault. The artillery
will be sufficient to cover the movements
of the infantry and cavalry and the
nature Of the country is'such as to render
the movements less difficult than they
were at Santiago. II Is expected that
as soon as all the troops have arrived
and been landed tho operations will be
conducted with great prompiness, ana
T. will be but. short time before tho
entire island Is in our possession.
SATISFACTORY CONDITIONS.
There Is a general expression OF graft
hoation and satisfaction al the war con-
fitions at this time. Spain Is In no con-
diton 10 inhict injury upon as. our own
army has been got into excellent condi-
tion. and our naval forces have attained
high efficiency and a large number or
the best vessels are available for any
operations deemed necessary. While no
foreign Interference in the war Is ex-
pected. our power on the seas Is sur
ncient to meet most any emergency, ana
should the fleet under Commodore wat
son be threatened with any interference
in the expedition 10 Spanish waters, an
other large fleet Will be available to JOIN
him. The blockade Of cuba can be main
tainSd by our smaller vessels, ana tho
great men-of-war can be spared for what-
ever service Is required of them.
The Watson fleet is to be made much
more powerful than has yet been indica'.
ed. and II future developments shouse
render IL necessary this feet, or part
OF il. couiy proceed through the Suen
canal either 20 go directly to Manila Or
to anticipate the movement or any neet
that might be organized for the Philip-
pines. II is believed. however, that when
the character OF the Watson neet Is rehi-
ized there will be no disposition on tho
part OF any one 10 risk an interference
with It, Moreover, the course TO De pur-
sued will not be such as 60 justlfy inter-
florence even by tho least friendly OF tho
powers The administration here mas hoe
committed itself so any policy with re-
spect 10 the Philippines or any 0tter OK
the Spanish possessions. except Port,
Rlco and cuba. and II Is understood ;nar
IL will not be 80 committed until thf un'o
c6mes when we are To deal with SPAIN
on the subject OF peace.
THE PRESIDENT AND PEACE.
The Madrid special OF the London
Daily News stating that one OF the chief
obstacles OF peace is President MCKINNEY
unreasonable character. the President
being sometimes inclined 10 reasonaoie
terms and at other times dethn ined on
a war of conquest. Is spoken OF as ab-
solutely ridicylous.
THE Question OF TERMS.
The question Of what terms shal oe
accepted from Spain. II Is believed de-
mend now. "a Il has from tho nrst. upon
the resistance which Spain offers during
| the war.
Apparently there Is no purpose on inc
part OF the administration 10 Impress
| Europe with any other idea OF our power.
except that II is sufficient 20 maintain
our rights and to deal with an enemy In
accordance with our own IDEAS OF JUS
| tice.
According 10 the best inform alton avail
| able. there Is no purpose on the part or
| tn, administration 10 infict upon SPAIN
in the expedition against her coast, any
greater damage than may be absolutely
| necessary TO bring tho Spanish govern
ment 70 It's senses.