The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1898-04-22
" ashingtOn Letter.
From our regular Correspondent


Will he issued the minute that Con-
gress acts ugOn President McKinlev's
recommendation for armed interyen-
ton for the purpose of driving Spain
out OF Cuba, and there will he no de-
lay ON the part of Congress in adopt
ing the resolution that will place the
authority in the hands of the Presi-
dent to use the army and navy of the
U. S. to force the Spanish out of Cuba.
Proclaiming an armistice in Cuba was
trick worthy of Spain, but it failed
to bring the delay at the Washington
end that Spain expected. Unless there
is some unexpected delay, our war
ships will be demanding the evacua-
tion of Cuba with shot and shell be-
fore the close of the present week.
The spanish will, Of course, have
chance up to the last minute before
the shooting begins to peaceably sur
render Cuba, but there is now nothing
In sight to indicate that they will get
out until they are forced out.
In intervening in Cuba this govern
ment has no intention of making a
war of conquest, but in the language
OF President Mckinley is merely en-
deavoring "to fulfill a duty to human
ity by ending situation the indefinite
prolongatiOn of which has become in
sufferable." Therefore whether the
war will go further than is necessary
to drive the Spanish out of Cuba will
depend upon the Spanish themselves.
While the official plan of operations
is not known outside of those who are
intrusted with the duty of carrying it
out, it is understood that the initial
naval demonstration of this govern
ment will be made against Cuba alone,
and that no hostile movement against
VIC opdlIloii ColOilICS III lilt lllllp pIut
Islands, the Canary Islands, or Porto
Rico will be made unless the oppOSi-
tiOn of the Spanish navy to our taking
possession of Cuba shall make such
steps necessary.
There is an impression among naval
officers that if Spain does not make an
abiect surrender before the fighting
begins, it will throw up the sponge be-
fore we can get an opportunity to COM
pletely destroy its navy, and call upon
the European powers to arrange some
sort of peace for her. 1t is thought
THAI the distribution OF the Spanish
navy indicates that an attempt will
be made by her fastest ships to attack
some of our seacoast cities and to avoid
battle with US unless they can catch
some of our ships in positions where
they can be overpowered and either
sunk or captured Naval officers Will
| he surprised if Spain places any por-
ton of her navy where it will come
into contact with the powerful fleet
that we will send to invest Cuba Six
| tv days is the outside guess of our
naval officers as to the length of the
war.
Gen, Blanco did not improve the re-
lations between Congress and Spain
| when he made discourteous monkey
of himself by refusing to see consul
Gen. Lee when he called to say an
official goodbye just previous to his
departure from Havana. 1t is likely
also that Gen. Lee may have some
ington that will likewise add to the
existing enmity towards the Spaniards.
An informal agreement has been
reached by the House Committee on
WAYS and Means, which has been con-
sidering the matter for several weeks,
that the war revenue bin 20 be report
ed to the House as soon as hOstilities
begin shall include provision increas-
ing the internal revenue tax on beer
from ST. to 50 barrel, notwithstand
ing the arguments of the representa-
tives of the brewers who were granted
hearings last week. 1t is estimated
| that this increase in the beer tax will
add $50 100000 year to the govern
ment's revenues. Tobacco, in its va
rious manufactured forms, is relied
upon to produce as much more; like
wise a tax on several kinds of CONNER
cial paper. A bill has also been pre-
pared by Chairman Dingley providing
for the issue of bonds to the amount
of $1O0,00O,OO0, as a temporary loan,
and from three to five times that
amount, as may be needed, as per-
manent loan. These bonds will be
payable in coin, just as all our out
standing bonds are, and are to bear 3
per cent interest. Although offers of
more than $5OO,OOO,OOO have been
made to the government by large
financial institutions, it is probable
that any bonds issued will be offered