Daily capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1896-1899, 1898-08-15
WORK FOR THE ADMINIsTRA-
TION.
Establishing Governments For Amenca's
New Acquisitions.

WASHINGTON, Aug. 15.-The tran
sition from war to peace is reflected
today in the complete dullness and
stagnation throughout official quar-
ters. Instead of the hustle and ac-
tiYity which has prevailed for months.
through the corridors of the war and
navy departments, there was dull
ness not apparent since the mldsum-
mer vacation of the last year. Most
Of the oficlals went home early in the
day, enjoying the first practical hol-
iday since the war began.
There will be large amount of im-
portant details to be worked out
from this time forwarded, gradual
reduction of.the army and navy to
peace footings. the establishment of
temporary and permanent admins
tratiOns for our new colonial possess
siOns, caring for the wounded and pris.
oners, and the relief of the distress in
Cuba.
1t is expected that the occupation
of Manila, under the terms OF the
protocol, will occur within the next
few days. General Greely is satisfied
no use can be made of the cable con-
Meeting Hong Kong with Mania, as
there are no cable operators at the
Manila end.
The orders sent Admiral Dewey are
much more specific than those sent
other naval commanders, as the occu.
patton of Manila and the holding Of
the bay and harbor Involve more I'M
portant consideration than the mere
cessation of hostilities.
Acting Secretary Allen said the
matter of establishing coaling sta
tions, the disposition of Admiral Ger
vera and other Spanish prisoners and
like questions would receive consider.
tion in due time, but that there was
no immediate necessity for passing
upon them.
Preparations are being made to re.
celve the battleships and armored
cruisers now under orders to come
north. Drydocks No. and No. 2, at
the New York navy yard, are availa
BILE for the big cruisers New York and
Brooklyn, but not for the battle ships.
Drydocks No. 3 will receive the battle
ships.
The subject of mastering out part
of the volunteer forces has been con-
sidered, and it is probable the total
force will be reduced to 100000. This
mastering out will not begin at once.
Garrisons of both regular and voluns
teer soldiers Will remain in Cuba,
Porto Rico and the Philippines.
Manila and Porto Rico will be gov.
erned through the milnary arm at
present. This state of things is likely
to continue until congress meets.
1t is understood at the war depart
ment that the Spanish soldiers in all
places over which the United States
exercises authority will be virtually
prisoners of war and under the orders
of the United States officers in COM
mand
With peace proclaimed, all Of the
energies of the military and naval
establishments are being directed
into pacific channels. The sudden
change from war to peace was mani
fest at the war and navy departments.
The order given for the
immediate cessation of hostilities has
brought all military and naval move
ments TO a halt, and it now remains
only to bring affairs back to a peace
basis.
Ia this, however, the authorizes
were acting on the theory that The
protocol was but the first step towards
peace, and that not until final and
lasting peace was secured could there
be an entire return to peace basis.
This was particularly true as TO the
navy department. In that branch, it
was accepted that permanent peace
undoubtedly would be made, and yet
instead of stripping our ships, reds
trlbuting them into squadrons on a
peace basis and returning them TO
their old channels, the naval authOri
ties acted on the principle that the
present armistlce might end in re-
sumption of hostilities.
The comnissary department OF the
army will not have its labors lessened
in Cuba. for while there are likely To
be .changes, it is believed TO be the
purpose .Of the administration 70