Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1898-07-22
WASHINGTON LETTER.
tFrom our regular Correspondent


CONTRARY, there is nothing official in
sight to indicate it. Every act OF the
since the surrender of
indicates the belief that the
end ofthe war is still long ways of.
In fact, there is little probability of
peace until the members of the
Spanish government get rid of the
idea that the wishes Of European
powers are to be a factor in the
terms of peace, and recognize the
fact that those terms are to be die
tated from Washington.
Although no official announcement
has been made, it is believed by many
in Washington that Commodore
Watson's fleet is already on its way
to Spain, and that within week the
movement for the capture of Porto
Rico will be under way.
The breaking out of yellow fever
in our army at Santiago has made 1t
certain that no summer campaign
against Havana will be undertaken.
The administration is unwilling to
send our soldiers where that disease
can hardly be escaped during the
next three months. When the news
first reached Washington that there
were several hundred cases of yellow
fever in our army at Santiago, 1t
came very near to creating panic.
Every possible precaution is being
taken to prevent the fever becoming
epidemic and, although, news of the
progress of the fever is very meagre,
owing to rigid censorship at Santiago
there is now little better feeling.
But there is still much uneasiness,
and ample cause for it, too.
The condition which binds us to
send the $4,000 Spanish troops
captured at Santiago, back to Spain
is regarded in Washington as an ex-
celIent one. Although it is big job,
it can be much easier accomplished,
than was the landing of our army
over there, as the ships that will
carry them can 90 right up to the
Santiago wharves to receive them.
1t will be much cheaper to send them
home than it would be to keep them
as prisoners.
Senator Cannot, of Utah, who has
Just returned from a visit to his
rother, who is 1t. Col. of Torrey's
Rough Riders, now at Jacksonville,
Fla, stopped at TT. Mcpherson, Ca,
where he visited some wounded
friends. He says of this visit: 81
never have seen anything like the
patriotism ofthe soldiers at TT. Nc
PhersOn. The wounded Of the oath
Infantry, which came from FIT. Doug
las, Utah, and who participated in the
battle OF San Juan, are there, and the
officers and men are anxious and
eager to get back in the fray"
Experience teaches Governments
AS we'll AS individuals When the
campaign against Santiago was start
ed it was the opinion of those on the
inside of the administration circle,
and was publicly stated in semi
official way, that it was the intention
OF the government, after Santiago
was taken, to withdraw all our troops
except possibly regiment or two
left for show, and allow the Cubans
to establish their civil government in
the town-to make it the capital Of
the Republic Of Cuba. Opinions
have changed since then, although
only short time has passed. The
Cuban insurgents do not stand as
high in the estimation of the adj
ministration, either in a fighting or a
peaceful capacity, rs they did. In the
tests which have been applied to
them, they failed to come up to ex-
pectations. Consequently, Santiago
will remain under L. S. Military con-
troll until further notice, instead of
being turned over to the Cubans.
Everything that Admiral Dewey
does appears to strike the people of
this country as about the right thing,
from showing his resentment at the
commander of the German cruiser
Irene, interfering to protect the
Spanish garrison OF a fort in Subig
Bay from an attack by the Philippine
insurgents, by sending the Raleigh
and the Concord to batter down the
fort and capture the five hundred
Spaniards composing the garrison, to
that portion Of his report to the SEQ
rotary of the Navy, especially com
mending the Chinese who are serving
in his fleet in minor capacities, for
bravery under fire. That he should
be willing to say good word officially
for the much-abused Chinese, and to
recommend that these in his fleet he