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

/ = a
| 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
! peace, but new wrinkles have been learned,
and the time-honored advice is being APP
| Piled to eaXctly the reverse of the PROPOSE
| ticn.
| 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 othur
| country. The President has distinctly an
nounced tfat when negotiations for peace
| begin in earnest they must be strictly be-
tween the kingdom of Spain and the gov
| eminent 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,
tlS iac haan I he in,
Europe does not fully understand the posi-
| ton OF this country row she easily
learn it through her diplomatic representa-
| tives. She can learn that we have a better
| navy than VIA the war began; that the
| army is growing in experience each day;
| that millions more men are ready to answer
| cali 10 rms and that millions more
money can be obtained for the asking.
| The administration does not now expect
| interference in a settlement of the war, but
it viii be well prepared II there is meddle-
| someness.
| WaFsi,ips to Be Overhaufed.
| 1t is said today good authority that
! between now and the next two months
| practically eve-y ship in the navy will be
| cleaned and overhauled. The big deck in
| New FORK has been put in condition for
| recei.ing some of the larger ships. Other
cocks are also ready. BY degrees the ships
will be viii drawn from southern waters
! and thor oughly overkanled. The big battle
SHIPS DOT lik l. to be locked for months
| but Divers will De put TO work On their bot
toms, Ind the accommodations will be re-
| moved
| If Commodore Watson's squadro on goes to
| Spain the ships on duty there Will be oc-
casionally replaced to allow cleaning and
| repair to those in service. IL fact, every
| ship in the navy is to be put in spick-and
| span shape and kept that way.
The same program is to be observed : 10
! the army. The troops arc to be brought
! to the highest proficiency and kept in a
seasoned state. If clouds arise the hori-
| ION the President may call for more troops.
| He knows he can set 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 doin,,
| the same for the future.
What Mr.. Tawney Says.
Representative Tawney of Minnesota is
| in the city aud 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 newspaper dispatches announce
tldL II IdHC' VI are gong 10 III
| terfere anywhere. Mr.. Tawney tod the
| President that Interference will not be
| tolerated.
1t is understood that everything is to
| be done to have the new battle ships now
| building got ready for service in a short
| time. They will add to the demonstration
| that will follow attempts from anywhere
| to handicap this country in peace negotia-
| items.
SET DOWN AS A "EF.ELER.-
! The Statement Ascribed TO the Vati-
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 ''feeiers' that have been thrown out
within the past two wee.r- These feeiers
are intended to test public la--iag 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 are not yet
aware because of the superhuman efforts
put forth by the Spanish government to
suppress or pervert the news of actual
events. It is suspected here that the condi-
tons named (the 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, 1t 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
fora he lion ION, of
ers' is not deprecated by our government.
| though so far, it 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 ps.rn1.ss sion from our government
for another Gsr-aan surgeon to visit the
American zsy-y camps here and in Cuba
opd IN " - MANY fntarectt,r