Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-07-23
UNCLE SANS PLANS.
WATSON NOT To ATTACK SPANISH
CITIES but CAMARA.
no IMMEDIATE HADAHL CAMPAIGN.
fhat City Will Not he Attacked
"hhe feilow-Fever Condition.
t-"overnment of New Acquisi-
dons-Porto Rico to he Kent.

WASHINGTON, July pa signincan,
statement was made to the Associated
fess to-day by a gentleman in a position
10 speak with knowledge and authority
as to the plans of the administration with
reference to future war operations. in
substance the statement was as follows:
commodore Watson, in proceeding 10
the spanish peninsula as soon as the
fo''o Rico expedition is gotten under
| way Is not to lombard the cities Of the
opahisn coast. No such idea of lombard
ment OF the coast is entertained. While
'nere may be other incidental purposes
the main mission of Watson is to take
| care Of Admiral Canlara's fee, Tho
movement Of this feet, and the fears and
appi.hensiohs caused by reports concern
ing IL, are to be stopped for all time.
Inc ships under Camara will be located
oy Watson and finally met and engaged
Inc talk occasionally INDUCED In as 10
the Canary Islands is utterly without
foundation. This government has no pIan
10 take those islands, and does not want
them.
HABANA CAMPAIGN.
Despite popular expectation that the
Porto Rico operations will be followed
immediately by action against Habana. II
can be said that Habana will not he ar
tackled while yellow-fever conditions ex-
ISL. ms Is certain. Ii would be the
helSht OF national folly to engage our
troops IN and about that fever pesthole.
consequently, 1t will DE left until the cli-
mate lends its aid in the autumn Shaf-
Ter VIII mold his own In the eastern strip
no" surrendered, may gradually push
MS way over some other districts. and ir
Ihere should be any particular need OF
immediate aggressive action at any point.
VIII move against it, but Habana will be
lett until yellow-fever dangers are past.
GOVERNMENT PROBLEMS
Meantime, in the next two months.
there VIII be enough TO keep this govern
meht Dusy. We will have TO cope with
the most serious problem yet-that of
proVldlng Tor the government in flture
or the islands involved in this war. I'he
hauling down Of the Spanish flag and the
hosting of that of the United States
means more than on its face IL Indicates
TO the popular mind. No more important
matter is to engage the attention Of tho
government than the details to be ar
ranged Tor the disposition. control, or
temporary. possession OF those islands
pending final transfer Of their possession
to our domain. There are questions of the
most intricate and far-reaching charac-
ter TO be decided
PORTO RICO TO BE RETAINED.
Porto Rico, whose fall is likely to be |
recorded within week or ten days, will |
have to have military governor. Porto |
Rlco, or course. is to be kept permanent |
ly by this government but there must be |
military governor first, and many pre- |
liminary details will have to be worked |
out.
There must be rehabilitation OF exist |
ing systems Of government, where we |
have carried our arms, and while local |
schemes and conditions will form the |
basis OF the general system for control |
of the new lands. there must be numerous |
changes, abolishing such laws as may be |
oppressive. Laws will have to be very |
thoroughly gone over, and the tariff sys-
tenn revised in some way, but in general,
and as far as possible, the system of |
government which now exists Is to be
All this means work OF the
most serious character, and in the alb
ence OF existing laws to govern such mat
ters, the President has to go ahead on
his own responsibility. Next winter, how
ever, when Congress convenes, the neces-
sity for laws covering such matters will
be recognized by recommendations to
Congress to that end, to be submitted by
the President. and it is very probable the
shaping OF the destinies of Porto Rico
md similarly y-circumstanced lands will be
eft to a commission, or commissions. to
De appointed to draft the laws for adop- |
ion by Congress. The government is like
y TO be busy from now on considering
Ill these matters Of governmental detail.
GUAM TO BE KEPT.
1t is a certainty, so far as can now be
oreseen, that Guam, the island In the
4adrone group that was captured by this
overnment will be permanently retained
$ a coaling and supply station. For
hese purposes it Is valuable from its
Dcation between the Sandwich and Phil
Dpine Islands, but on the point whether
he rest of them will be kept, 1 am rot
ure. They may be and they may not
e. The disposition of the Philippines is
nsettled. and depends on circumstances.
THE CUBAN DIFFICULTY.
AS TO the attitude of Garcia and the I
in Cuba, there is no change J
1 our intention. This government has !
OF been mised in its estimate Of those :
)rces With the oppressive hand Spain {
as put on them so long, contending Z
gainst the conditions imposed by In a
istice and oppression, there should have @
cen little expectation of greater abilities
IAN are now shown by them. This gov
-nment will have TO treat them kindly,
ut firmly. 1t has made a pledge to es- &
tblish a firm and stable government, and y
lat must be carried out.
MANY YEARS OF TUTELAGE.
IT, therefore, may be. in the light OF
resent circumstances and conditions
any years before affairs there have so T.,
laped themselves as that the island =,
ay be entrusted to the Cubans, and we Z
lally yield possession TO them. The p'
ansition must be gradual. step by step X
Id the final general change Of control p'
fected only after thorough training,
ID demonstration OF the abilities Of the II
opie beginning with the trial of some
the LEADERS, at first in minor capacities.
lis is what is to be looked for, and the
adual transition will consume a length
time considerably at variance with
,at most Deopla exDect.