The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1898-05-20
The Gold Ring Policy and War.

Spain by the United States was, at its
commencement, for the purpose of freeing
Cuba. Spain had created nuisance on
our border and the nuisance had become
so intolerable that the entire nation de-
manded its abatement. Strange to say,
however, about everything else has been
done in the way of war, except all effort
TO free Cuba by driving the Spanish out.
Dewey had orders to destroy the Spanish
fleet in the Pacific and capture the Phil
ippine Islands. He accomplished the job
so quickly after receiving the order, and
the distance was SO great that there was
no chance to countermand the order from
Washington or it most likely would have
been countermanded, judging from the
| movements and countermovements near
home.
One hundred and twenty-five thousand
volunteers were called out aud thirty
thousand regular army forces got ready
for the purpose OF freeing Cuba. Admiral
Sampson got together one of the most
formidable fleets i'll the world and block
AIDED Cuba for couple of weeks, but no
attempt was made to land a force or make
any attack on any of the ports. In the
meantime General Miles became disgust
ed with Washington delay and dilly-dally,
and said lie could have accomplished all
that was required with that portion of the
regular army which was ready to move at
once Then the Administration began TO
concentrate troops, buy and charter
transports, and the newspapers were
notified that the ships were going to start
right away with troops for Cuba.
The next exciting news in poster type
headlines the newspapers contained was
that Sampson with his feet was ordered
to Porto Rico, and "a world wondered"
what he was sent there for, without troops
to land after he had reduced the forts.
Then halt was called on the movement
OH Cuba. The reconcentrados i'll the
meantime were starving, a thousand a
day, while to relieve them was the
| oitlG vi llC wal anu 1851
dent McKinleys specially.
The ostensble purpose of hating the
onto Cuba movement was to give Samp-
son time to destroy the Spanish fleet in
American waters, but the Spanish fleet
didn't want to be destroyed and wasn't at
Porto Rico, so Sampson fell upon San
Juan and gave the place bombarding for
two or three hours, then sailed ont of the
harbor to meet the Spanish fleet. but the
Spaniards had no inclination for such a
meeting and kept away. report spread
that the Spanish feet was bound for Cuba
to break the blockade, and had been
hiding at Martinique in place of going
out for Sampson to destroy"
The Administration got frightened
again, halted the expedition that was just
on the point of embarking for Cuba, and
ordered Schley, who had all this time
been lying i'll Hampton Roads with a
formidable fleet, to get under way i'll
hurry to help stop the Spanish fleet from
breaking the blockade of Cuba. Up to
last Sunday this is the ridiculous condi-
ton to which the Administration had got
things mixed up. The EXPEDITION of
Sampson to Porto Rico wasn't worth the
price of the coal to steam to the island.
Bonaparte said century ago nearly that
simple bomtardment wasn't worth the
powder it burnt.
But there is definite object in all this
wabbling and counter marching that is
being. done by the Administration,
ordered by the kitchen Cabinet, for Mr..
Mckinley never in his life has been cap
able of direct purpose or carrying it out
ifby chance such purpose has assumed at
any time neLulous form. The battle of
the gold ring which is represented in this
Administration is not for Cuban freedom
or speedy termination of the war with
effete Spain, but the saddling Of an addi-
tional bonded debt on this country. With
$500, ooo, 900 in the treasury, $780, 900, 900
in gold-about 1000 tons of gold, think
of it-$42, 600, 900 ofuncoined silver seign-
forage, and upwards of $500, 600, 900 Of
coined silver against which certificates
are circulating, and which certificates
could be safely doubled if emergency de-
:nanded, and power to issue treasury
notes payable in coin if it were though,
more expedient, the gold ring power rep.
resented in Congress and in the kitchen
Cabinet behind the President, are pro-
longing the war, and by extravaganza
striving to heap all additional bonded
debt on the nation of 5000, ooo, 900 in order
to secure power to destroy all government
currency and fasten the gold standard
and national bank rule on the govern
ment and people. For this the many
ridiculous movements are being made
and holding back operations of two
powerful fleets from freeing Cuba, which
could have been accomplished weeks ago.
Even the most ardent administration
papers chafe and struggle to restrain
protests against this infamous gold ring
policy of the Administration.
Against Bond Issue.
FIom the Silver Knight