Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-05-03
Those She Will Lose as a Result of
This War.
LEE MAY GO TO TIE PHILIPPINES
Suggestion That He May Com
mard the Troops to Be Sent.
WAITING FOR INFORMATION

The President is receiving all the press
dispatches with relation to the Philippine
campaign, but at 11:30 had not yet got
any word from Manila. The latest dis
patch received up to that hour was one
| stating that the cable was cut fifteen miles
from Manila by the Spanish. If this dis
patch really means what it says ii is only
the shore line that is cut, as there is a
hundredmile shore wire from Manila to
the cable.
Troops and supplies are to be sent to the
Philippine Islards from the Pacific coast.
1t is understood that General Fitzhugh
Lee, whose appointment to a major gen
eralship is expected to be sent to the Sen
ate tomorrow, will be placed in command
of the forces sent to the Philippines. The
proposition is being discussed to send Gen
eral Merritt in command of these forces
but he desires other duty. and it would
probably be regarded as a slight to him,
based on an old grudge. if he were sent
against his will.
Lee US "a Military Governor
1t Is proposed to send all the regular
troops that can be spared from the Pacific
coast. augmented by volunteer force if
the report from Commodore Dewey. when
received, indicates the desirability of such
move. Pending report from Dewey prepa-
rations will be made for transports of troops
under convoy of the Charleston CT Phila-
delphia, now at San Francisco. 1t is an
ticipated that. since the Philippines are to
be held by the United States until after the
close of the war, and then given an inde-
pendent government, or else turned over to
the protection of Il foreign power ether
than Spain, it will be necessary to place
them under military control until peace is
restored. 1t is in this connection that the
proposition of sending General Lee as a
sort of military governor is being consid-
cred. OF course, what is to be done must
depend largely upon the report received
from Commodore Dewey
Cuban Campaign Plans Unclaimed.
1t is understood that the plan of cam
paign as respects Cuba has not been ma
terially changed, il changed at ALL A fea-
ture OF this plan which has not been pub
licly discussed heretofore is that after the
1900 or 5000 regular troops have been
LANDED, with equipments. ordnance and
supplies to construct Notifications and es-
tabiish base of supplies, about 10000 vol
unteer immunes, commanded by Gen.
Wheeler, will probably be landed for the
purpose of cooperating with the Cuban
insurgents. The service expected of this
force and the Cuban forces is to keep the
Spanish army penned up in Havana and
to cut off their supplies by land.
They are not expected to make an as
sault upon Havana, and it is probable that
after the fortifications have been con-
structed and the base of supplies estab-
lisEed under the protection Of the volun-
teer immunes and the Gomez army the
regulars will be withdrawn until fall, when
a large army of invasion will be landed
If before that time the Spanish have not
evacuated the island, Spain suing for peace.
This plan is based on the possibility of the
war being prolonged, and is a plan for
summer campaign, to be followed by gen.
eral invasion and an assault upon Havana
In the fall, should she hold out.
That Spanish Fleet.
While proceeding on these lines. however.
it is believed that there will not be occa
sion to carry out the entire plan If the
Spanish fleet is coming to these waters IT
is expected that our fleet will crush it in
short order after which the Spanish forces
in Cuba could not hold out
AS soon as it is known where the Span-
ish fleet is sailing for an attack upon Porto
Rico is anticipated, whether the Spanish
heet Is there or has turned back to the
Canaries or CadiZ. The impression that the
Meet Is bound for Porto Rico by a southern
course Is growing, however, and If it is the
engagement of this fleet will precede the
capture of Porto Rico and the direct at
tack upon Havana If this fleet can be en-
gagged no doubt is felt as to the result. and
1t is expected to end the war before the
elaborate plans for military operations can
be carried into effect. Nothing is being
taken for granted, however, and the plans
of campaign take into account the most ex-
treme possibilities of prolongation of the
war;
Spain to Lose Her Possessions.
1t Is said In practically all quarters in
Congress that at the conclusion of the war
spain Will have no possessions on this side
OF the Atlantic and will not regain control
OF the Philippines. 1t Is declared in re-
sponstble quarters that we will capture and
retain Porto Rico permanently, will give
Cuba her freedom under a stable republican
form of government and will probably turn
the Philippines over to Great Britain, get
ting some of the British West India DOS
sessions in rsturn. The occupancy of the
Philippines, and especially their transfer to
Great Britain, is likely to have a very i'm
poA eon. oeai Ing upon 1ne eastern queS-
tfon." in which the whole world is interest
ed, and may lead to events of greater mo-
ment than the war with Spain. 1t is not
the intention OF this government to retain
control Of the Philippines or Of Cuba, no
matter what may happen, but the author
ity Of Spain over both must BE- surrendered
forever. coaling station at the Philip
pines and possession of Porto Rico Is all
that this government will retain as 'spoiis"
of war;
SECRETARY DAYS RETURN.