Evening star., 1898-06-23
WITH GREAT WG0R
The War to Be Vigorously Pressed
From Now On.
THE ONLY HOPE OF SAGASql
MischIevous Attempts to Involve
Other European Powers.
TO EATEN SPAIN

In the opinion of the best informed men
at the Capitol. the time has arrived for the
war to be pressed with great vigor. with
the view of crushing Spain speedily as
possible. 1t has been apparent from the
first that the Spanish government had no
hope of being able to successfully conduct
a war with the United States, and that the
main reliance of Sagasta on entering upon
the war. was that foreign powers might be
drawn into it and this government become
involved in entanglements which would
draw it off from the original issue of the
war As the situation has become more
and more desperate for Spain the Spanish
ministry has become more energetic in the
role of misunderstanding.
Three MischievOus Stories.
The three stories related in dispatches
published this morning from the London
Mail. two of them from the Mails Madrid
correspondent and one from Washington,
are recognized for their Spanish inspiration
and their motive of mischief. The first,
that the South American republics are
forming an alliance against the United
States and in sympathy with Spain, Is pro-
nounced an absurd Spanish fabrication. IN
tended to give courage to the ignorant peo-
pie of Spain and to bolster up the failing
government The second story, that of
German forces having landed at Manila to
take possession of the town. is pronounced
as evidently equally false, and the motive
of the statement, clearly discernible. is to
irritate the people of this country at Ger
many and to lead to expressions of de-
fance: while the third story, that from
Washington. stating that we intend TO
transfer the possession of the Philippines
cft he
emotional ruler of Germany. The whole
thing is regarded as transparent, and ex-
cited no feeling of concern as to what may
have already happened or been planned
1t is seriously regarded. however, as an
admonition that if Spain is to be permitted
to protract the war we must confront the
danger, constantly recurring, of some issue
being devised by Spain to irritate one or
more of the foreign powers against u.s.
The effort being persisted in may at any
time hit upon the right plan to cause mis-
chief
At present this government has sats-
factory assurances of the neutrality OF
the powers and there is suspicion or
the sincerity of the amicable professions
of Germany; but If mischief makers are
given full swing for an indefinite time there
is no telling what they might accomplish.
To Menace Spain mt Home.
This situation being fully recognized, 1t
is expected to affect our war policy. 1t is
said t'Iat the administration is confirmed
in the intention to force the speedy termi-
nation of the war by menacing Spain at
home. and that naval operations against
the Canaries and Spanish ports, which
have been under discussion for some time,
will be set in motion speedily as is con-
sistent with the completion of operations
already on foot. 1t is realized that the way
to avoid disagreeable entanglements is to
make our operations as vigorous and ef-
fective possible at once and to force
Spain to a termination of the war on terms
satisfactory to this government. The idea
is to press the war at every point and not
to let IL linger and drag. Effective blows
struck at vital points, it is believed, will
speedily bring Spain to terms. Now that
General Skaters troops are landed for
an attack upon Santiago a very aggressive
campaign in that quarter is looked for. No
apprehension Is felt as to the issue of the
contest, though the Spanish are not ex-
pected to yield without making a desperate
resistance As soon the situation in that
quarter admits of 1t other aggressive oper-
ations will be set in motion. 1t is believed
that the expedition against Porto Rico and
the naval operations against Spain at home
will be undertaken almost simultaneously.
To Destroy the Cadix Fleet.
1t is believed to be the design of the
Navy Department to run down and destroy
the so-called Cadiz fleet, after the fleet in
Santiago barber has been disposed of.
This is in line with consistent policy
which was inaugurated with the destruc-
tion of the Spanish fleet at Manila That
fleet being destroyed, the next thing in or
der was to find and do away with the Ger
vera fleet. The Camara fleet is next in or
der. 1t was hoped at first that the Camara
fleet would try to relieve Havana or San
tiago, or attempt some sort of aggressive
operations on this side, but no such move
ment having yet been made, it is believed
to be the intention of this government to
seek the fleet wherever it may be found
and to destroy it. If possible. or if it runs
away to force it into action by menacing
the ports of Spain.