The Holly chieftain., 1898-08-05
PRowRRs COUNTY DIRECTORY.
washington Correspondence.

Washington Correspondence.
Gen. Shafter has officially confirmed
the press statement of the worthlessness
of Garcia and his Cubans in the Santiago
campaign.
In the general discussion which has
followed Spain's plea for peace, some
very interesting points have been
raised. For instance, as an evidence Of
Spain's insincerity, one man calls atten-
ton to clause in the Spanish consti-
tuition which prohibits the crown even
entering upon negotiations having in
view the cession or exchange of any
portion of Spanish territory, until au-
thority has been granted by a majority
vote of both branches of the National
Legislature. This is met by another
man with the claim that the recent dec
laration of martial law through
out Spain operates as suspen-
sion of the constitution, and that the
Spanish government can. if it 80 desires,
negotiate treaty on the lines laid
down by the terms Of this government
without danger of having its legality
questioned.
The fears Of tie administration that
the Philippine insurgents were likely
to make trouble for us at Manila, have
been increased by dispatches from Ad
miral Dewey, and Gen. Merritt. who
reached there last week. Aguinaldo. the
insurgent chief is nursing bad case of
the big head, and has had little enough
sense to try to give himself airs in his
dealings with Admiral Dewey. One
consolation in the situation is that Ag-
uinaidos's relations with the Spanish
are such that there is no possibility of
his making combination with them
against us. After Manila is taken and
the Spanish disposed of, Gen. Merritt
and Admiral Dewey will be in position
to administer a thrashing to the insur-
gents. if their actions show them to
be hankering after it. The taking of
Manila is not likely to be much longer
deferred, unless peace puts stop to
the campaign.
*o~
Although not freer from doubts than
everybody else about how long we shall
wait for peace, Secretary Long has issu-
ed orders for the monitors and yachts
composing the auxiliary coast defense
feet, generally referred to as the Mos
quito Fleet" to be put out of commiss-
ion. This is the first step taken to re-
duce the tremendous war expense of
the government. A naval officer war
asked if he thought this action on Sec
retary Longs part indicated his belief
that peace was near at hand, replied:
"Not necessarily. I think the vessels
composing this fleet would have been
ordered out of commission if Spain h ad
not SAID word about peace. Secretary
Long knows that Spain has no ships
left to attack our coast, and this feet is
no longer needed.' The same officer
was asked what about the decision by
Secretary Long to purchase only one
floating dock for service in southern
waters. instead of two, which it was de-
cided to buy before Spain made peace
overtures, He said: "It was the des-
truction of Ceryera's fleet. not peace
overtnres. that caused the change"
-
Spain is an pp-to-date exemplification
of the adage about the evils attendant
upon bad name. Although President
Mckinley has acted upon Spains re-
quest for our terms of peace as though
he believed in its honor and straight
forwardness, there is no reason to be-
lieve that his faith in Spanish honor is
any greater than that of the average
men, owing to his experience it Is prob
ably not so great. .aot one man out OF
ten in Washington, believes that Spain
made those overtures with any serious
intention of accepting our terms of
peace. although in the end it may do 30.
1t has very nearly reached case of
must with Spain, and if it does not
accept the present terms. which, under
the circumstances are liberal in the ex-
.reme-so liberal that the French Am
basssdor. who is now also accredited Al
Spanish minister, accepted them On the
spot-more severe ones will have to be
accepted later. The terms condensed
are the evacuation OF Cuba and Porto