Evening star., 1898-07-21
PORTO RICO ISLAND
It Will Be Held as a Permanent Pos
session.
AN AUTHORITATIVE DECLARATION
Dewey TeIegraphs the Arrival of!
the Second Expedition.
WHITE HOUSE MATTERS

The authoritative declaration was made,
| today that the Island OF Porto Rico is to-
be held as a permanent possession Of this
| country the price of the war. The sub
joined practically official statement wasl
| made today.
Porto Rico will be kept by the United
States. That is settled and has been the
| plan from the first. Once taken 1t will new
er be released. 1t will pass forever iuto'
| the hands of the United States. and there
never has been any other thought. Its
possession will go toward making up the
heavy expense of the war to the United
| States. Our flag once run up there Will
float over the island permanently"
The same authority says the future OF
| the Philippines is a matter of development,
and that so far there is no certain policy
| finally adopted regarding these islands.
| They are subject TO developments in the
| war situation IN the Pacific. 1t was inti-
mated, however, though not definitely as.
| serted that the Ladrone Islands might fol-
low the fate of Porto Rico and become our
permanent possession, being valuable as a
| coaling station and supply station for our
ships when en- route to eastern Asia
Dispatch From Dewey.
Secretary Long was with President Nc
| over the naval situation in all directions.
Secretary Long announced that d dis
patch was received today from Admiral
Dewey telling or the safe arrival of the
second expedition of American troops This
was the largest of all the expeditions
| which sailed from San Francisco and will
enable the American commander to have
his own way at Manila. 1t is said, how
ever, that Manila will not be attacked until
Gen. Merritt arrives. This will probably he
week or more. BY that time the Mon
terey will arrive, and will take part in the
| bombardment of the city.
Commodore Watson's Fleet.
Secretary Long was asked about the SAIL
ing of Commodore Watson's squadron He
said that the time for sailing would depend
somewhat on the Porto Rican expedition.
The Secretary also stated that there was
no hurry about getting the squadron away.
The Secretary deried that there is any
friction between the War and Navy De-
| partments over the starting of the expedi-
tion TO Porto Rico. He ridiculed such a
suggestion.
Secretary Long does not believe that
Europe will interfere in any form against
| the operations of our squadron in Spanish
or European waters. He has received
eny trouble with Europe over the sailing
of the squadron. At any rate the squadron
will go aid will fight wherever the enemy
IS found.
A story was af1oat during the day that
the sending of the squadron to Spain would
be abandoned. Secretary Longs statement
| to representative of The Star did not in
dicate that there was truth in this story,
but indirectly the impression was given
that the sending of the squadron might be
longer off than supposed. The Secretary, as
stated, remarked that there is no hurry"
ard said that the squadron's going would
derend on the Porto Rican expedition" He
next explained that this did not mean until
the completion of the program in Porto
Rico.
Senator Moneys Congratulations
Senator Money of Mississippi was one OF
the Presidents callers today. The senator
WI sail for Europe next Wednesday. He
goes to secure expert treatment for his
eS IS, which have been giving him trouble
for some time The senator congratulated
the President on his successful manage
ment of the war to this time and hoped
that all future operations would be equally
as successful.
Ex-Secretary John w. Foster was with
the President a short while, talking over
the coming session of the Canadian COM
mission
Postmaster General Smith and Secretary
Gage saw and talked with the President
about affairs in their respective DEPART
ments Mr.. Smith said that the postal reg
ulations of the United States would be ex-
tended to Hawaii so soon as announcement
Is made that the islands have been for
mally annexed.
Mai. Gen. Buffers Command.
Major General Butler called to see the
President today. He is anxious to get to
the front, but it is probable that he and
his troops will not be actively engaged until
the sege of Havana. Gen. Butler comes
into the city frequently from Camp Alger
to consult with the President and Secretary
of War.
LOufsianfRns Call.
A large delegation of prominent Louisiana
republicans, white and colored were at the
White House today to express their satis-
faction with the appointment of Mr.. VIM
berly collector of customs at New Or
leans. Included in the delegation were a
number of men who have heretofore op-
pos ed the appointment
Senator Penrose and Representative New
lands were callers. seeing the President
about minor appointments they have been
urging.
Adjutant General Corbin was the only
War Department official to visit the White
House up to 1 o'clock today. When asked
about the departure of Gen. Miles for Porto
Rico he said he thought the American COM
mander was about getting away"