Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-08-15
our NEW LANDS.
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problems for settlement but the inn
preston prevails that these islands
will become rapidly Americanized and
every encouragement for them to do so
will he given. Porto Rico will be I'M
der military control for the present.
Cuba also will be similarly governed,
but it is probable that American re-
forms in the matter of government
will be such that the people of Cuba
will see the advantage of becoming
annexed to the United States. Ii is
thought that the sanitary improve
mcnt of Havana and other cities, the
management of the municipalities and
the liberty offered the country people
will soon convince the inhabitants
that the changed conditions are for
their good.
Porto Rico will be treated at once as
an American possession. The first move
ment in this direction will be the sending
of IA delegation of officials from the post
Office department. to inves tigate and re-
port upon the mail facilities there, and
to make such recommendations as they
determine upon.
Mail routes methods of transportation
and the conditions of the post offices gen.
orally in the island will be examined.
Military post offices will be established
at once where troops are stationed, and
! at such other points as may be demanded
| by the interests of Americans and the
people of the island, if the present offices
are not available. a similar course Will
| be taken in Cuba but this is likely to be
| delayed, as immediate removal of the
Spanish and occupation by the United
States is not expected.
No more troops will be sent to Gen.
Merritt unless he asks for them. 1t is
! believed at the war department that the
| 16. 900 men now there are sufficient TO gar
rison Manila and the ground which the
United States for the present will occupy,
| All of the troops that were with Gen.
Shafter in the Santiago campaign will be
out of Cuba by Friday of this week. Gen.
Shafter will accompany them to Montauk
Point. There will remain at Santiago five
regiments of immuncs to do garrison
duty. 1t is yet possible that a battery
will be sent to Santiago to take the place
| of the batteries which are to be removed.
| Gen Miles has about 1900 men in Porto
Rico They will be sufficient for the occu-
patton of the island and perhaps more
than are needed after the Spanish evac-
| uate.
The remainder of the troops will remain
in the various camps to,which they have
been assigned for the present. though
something may be done towards diminish
| ing the number when it becomes apparent
that they are no longer needed.
The government will dispose of the
transports that have been in use as fast
as they can be released and are no longer
| required for service. All vessels OF the
! navy that can be spared from service in
the West Indies will be ordered to ports
in the States. where the men will be given
fleet will be put in dry dock as soon as
possible and undergo such repairs as may
4 be necessary. There is scarcely a vesse
of the navy that docs not need docking
1t is expected that the large dock in the
New York yard will be ready to receive
..-ary vessels of the navy which will not
be used for the permanent navy viii BE-
disposed of as soon as they so out OF
commission, probably being sold al
auction.