Rock Island Argus., 1898-07-23
OUR GENERAL POLICY
Regarding the Settlement oi
Questions Which the War
Will Develop.
kLs0 THE PLAN OF CAMPAIGN.

Watson Not Going to Bombard Spanish
Ports or Captare the Canaries-Camara's
Fleet Is His Game No Action Against
Havana Until Autumn-Cuba May BE
Held for Years-PortO Rico and Guam
To BE Ours for Good.
Washington, July PA significant
statement was made to the Associated
Press yesterday by gentleman in a
position to speak with knowledge and
authority as - the plans of the admin
istration with reference to future war
operations. In substance the state
ments was as follows: Commodore
Watson in proceeding to the Spanish
peninsula as soon as the Porto Rican
expedition is gotten under way is not to
lombard the cities On the Spanish coast.
No such bombardment of the coast is
entertained. While there may be other
incidental purposes the main mission of
Watson is to take care of Camara's s
feet. The movement Of this fleet and
the fears and apprehensions caused by
reports concerning it are to be stopped
for all time. The ships under Camara
will be located by Watson and finally
met and engaged. The talk occasionally
INDUCED in as to the Canary islands is
utterly without foundation. This gov
ernment has no plan to take those ISL
ands and does not want them.
Blanco Will Have to Wait.
Despite popular expectation that
Porto Rico operations will be followed
Immediately by action against Havana
1t can be said that Havana will not be
attacked while yellow fever conditions
exist. This is certain. 1t would be the
height of national folly to engage our
troops in and about that fever pest hole.
Consequently it will be left until the
climate lends its aid in the autumn.
Shafter will hold his own in the eastern
strip now surrendered-may gradually
push his way over some other districts
and if there shoui5 be any particular
need of immediate aggressive action at
any point will move against 1t, but Ha-
vana will be left until yellow fever dan
gers are past.
Will BE Governments Busy Months.
III tnC HtAl lNo
there will be enough to keep this gov
ernment busy. We will have to cope
with the most serious problem yet
that of providing for the government
and the future Of the lands involved in
this war. The hauling down of the Span
ish flas and the hoisting of that of the
United States means more than on its
faceit indicates to the popular mind. Nc
more important matter is to engage the
attention Of the government than the
details to be arranged for the dispOsi-
ton, control or temporary possession
pending final transfer of possession Of
these additions to our domain. There
are questions of the most intricate and
far-reaching character to be decided
Porto Rico, whose fall is likely to be
recorded within week or ten days. will
have to have a military government.
Porto Rico Is to Remain Ours.
Porto Rico, Of course. is to be KEEP,
permanently by the government, but
there must be military government first
and many preliminary details will have
to be worked out There must be a re.
habilitation Of existing systems Of gov.
ernment where we have carried oul
arms, and while local schemes and con.
ditions wMl form the basis Of the gen
eral system for the control of the lant
there must be numerous changes abol
ishing such laws as may be oppressive
"As to the attitude of Garcia and tn
| insurgents in Cuba there is no chang
in our intention. This government ha