Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-07-26
The Administration Getting in Shape
for Spain's Proposals.
ALL DEALINGS MUST Be DIRECT
No Interference by Any European
Power to Be Allowed.
WARSHIPS TO BE CLEANED

| rather new idea but that is said to be
! the policy of the administration at this
| time. The United States has never made
| much preparation for war in times of
f, peace but new wrinkles have been learned,
and the time -honored advice is being ap-
| Piled to eaxctly the reverse of the PROPOSE
| tion.
The administration does not look for sub
| stantial peace propositions for several
| months, but the President and his cabinet
| advisers intend that when they do come
the United States shall be more strongly
prepared for emergencies than she is now
for continuation Of the war.
Must BE Direct Dealings.
The wisdom of this course is said to be
| too apparent for any doubt. To become
stronger in an offensive and defensive
manner in the next few months is not for
| the purpose of intimidating Spain or of
| forcing her to whatever terms this coun-
| try may want. Spain will never fare
harshly at the hands of this country in
| direct dealings for peace. The purpose Of
preparations, however, is to be in readiness
| to prohibit the interference of any other
country. The President has distinctly an
nounced that when negotiations for peace
begin in earnest they must be strictly be-
| ernment of the United States. That an
| nouncement meets the wishes of the peo-
pie of the country, and there will be no
deviation from it in any way.
Europe Understands This.
All Europe understands that the United
States will make peace with Spain without
the aid or advice Of any country. No COM
missions will go to any of these countries.
has been the n
Europe does not fully understand the posi-
tion of this country now she can easily
learn 1t through her diplomatic representa-
tives She can learn that we have a better
navy than when the war began; that the
army is growing in experience each day;
that millions more men are ready to answer
a cali to :rms and that millions more
money can be obtained for the asking.
The administration does not now expect
interference in settlement of the war, but
1t will be well prepared if there is NEEDLE
someness.
Warships to he OverhauIed.
1t is said today on good authority that
between now and the next two months
practically eve-y ship In the navy will be
cleaned and overhauled. The big dock in
New York has been put in condition for
receiving some of the larger ships. Other
docks are also ready. BY degrees the ships
will be with drawn from southern waters
and thoroughly overhaued. The big battle
ships a.e DOT liksly to be docked for months,
but divers will be put to work on their bot
toms, ind the accumulations will be re-
moved.
If Commodore Watson's squadron goes to
Spain the ships duty there will be oc-
casionally replaced to allow cleaning and
rapair IN in eryioa Tn fnc
ship in the navy is to be put in spick-and-
span shape and kept that way.
The same program is to be observed as 10
the army. The troops are to be brought
to the highest proficiency and kept in a
seasoned state. If clouds arise on the hori-
zon the President may call for more troops.
He knows he can get them and he knows
the effect on Europe of spontaneous and
patriotic response.
President Mckinley is looking far ahead
The present is provided for, and he is doing
the same for the future
What Mr.. Tawney Says.
Representative TawEey of Minnesota is
In the city and went to the White House
today to see the President He told the
President of the sentiment of the people
in his district This sentiment is vigorous
every time Sewspaper dispatches announce
that France or Germany are going to i'll
terfere anywhere. Mr.. Tawney told the
President that Interference will not be
tolerated.
9 1t is understood that everything is to
be done to have the new battle ships now
building got ready for service In short
time, They will add to the demonstrat ton
that will follow attempts from anywhere
to handicap this country in peace negotia-
tiCnS.
SET DOWN AS a "FEELER."
The Statement Ascribcd to the Vafi-
can About Satisfactory Peace Terms.
The reported statement from the Vatican
Of what purports to be terms of peace ac-
ceptable to both the United States and
Spain is set down here as only one OF the
many 'feelers' that have been thrown out
within the past two weeks. These feelers
are intended to test public feeling in the
United States primarily, and secondarily to
break slowly to the masses of the Spanish
people the realization of their complete de-
feat, something of which they not yet
aware because of the superhuman efforts
put forth by the Spanish government to
suppress or pervert the news of actual
events. 1t is suspected here that the condi-
tions named Vhe annexation to the United
States of Cuba and Porto Rico and the re-
linquishment to Spain of the Philippines
represent what may be now looked upon
as the maximum concessions that Spain is
willing to make. From this point of view
the statement is not discouraging though,
of course, it must be realized that the
Spanish maximum is very far below the
American minimum. Still, there must be
some starting point for negotiations that
will in the end lead up to peace, and, there
fore, the publication of these various feel!
ers'' is not deprecated by our government.
though SO far 1t can be positively asserted
they have no basis of fact at least on this
side of the Atlantic.
Baron Won Sternberg, the German secre-
tary of legation, called at both the State
and War Departments today. His visit
had no connection with peace negotiations.
however, being inspired simply by desire
to secure permission from our government
for another German surgeon to visit the
American army camps here and in Cuba
and to study the many interesting prob
lens there presented for guidance In the
government of the German army.