Smyrna times., 1898-07-27
THE WAR SITUATION.

While it is not likely that any great
naval or land battle will be fought
hereafter in the present war with Spain
very important military and naval
movements are being made with all
possible rapidity. The first duty of
the government is to hasten the clos
ing of the war, and that can be done
only by pressing the enemy with the
utmost vigOr.
The rulers of Spain either do not
know when they are whipped or dare
not confess it to their people. It NAV
be that both reasons enter equally into
the suicidal policy of Spain that pro-
longs a war in which she cannot
hope to gain even temporary victory
on land and sea- With twO-thirds of
her navy destroyed in action; with one
fourth of her army in Cuba surrender
ed; with the Philippine and LadrOne
Islands wrested from her, and with
Porto Rico certain to be assailed within
very short time by an overwhelming
army and naval force, any other nation
in the world but Spain would ask for
peace; but it is evident that Spain will
not propose peace until revolution at
home shall drive her blind rulers from
power.
What is generally accepted as the
most important feature of a war has
been absolutely determined in our
conflict with Spain. We have now
nothing to fear from Spanish fleets
and nothing to fear from Spanish
armies, but we must be prepared for
all the ingenious treachery of Spanish
diplomacy in field and Cabinet; and
the only way to disarm diplomacy of
its perils is to prosecute the war with
tireless vigor as long as there is
Spanish province to assail.
President Mckinley has exhibited a
measure of diplomacy and statesman
ship in his orders for the government
of the conquered Spanish provinces
that must command not only the cor
dial approval of the country, but the
cOmmendatiOn of the civilized nations
of the world. He is generous to the
last degree in all things where gener-
Osity is possible, and he gives the as
surance to friend and foe in Cuba,
Porto Rica and the Philippine that the
occupation of their territory by the
United States army means protection
to the property and person of every
class and condition regardless of the
revengeful purposes of infamed insur-
gents. The American flag must carry
peace, order and protection wherever
it goes, at home or abroad.
The complications in the Philippines
would have been very serious but for
the mastery diplomacy of Admiral
Dewey. He has held a most offensive
and Ostentatiously obtrusive German
feet at bay, and everything now points
to a peaceful solution of the troubles
which threatened from various quart
ers in that section. General Merritt
is doubtless there by this time, and
with the surrender of Manila to him as
military Governor. the exact status of
the Philippine Islands will be defined;
and the Presidents letter given to the
public recently relating to the gov
ernment of conquered provinces will
be the supreme law to be enfor-
ced by General Merritt from Manila.
We now see how much wiser than Con-
gress the President was when he en-
forced the omission of the recognition
of the Cuban Republic in orr declara-
tion of war. We are now entirely free
to govern not only the Spanish in
Cuba, Porto Rico and the Philippines,
but to govern the insurgents as well,
if it shall become necessary.
While it is important to press the
=, war with great vigor, there is no need
to hasten an army to Porto Rico be-
fore it is entirely prepared. We were
compelled to move with headlong speed
on Santiago, and we paid dearly for
our want of preparation for battle, but
the capture of Porto Rico a week
sooner or later is not of such import
ance as to hasten an army there with
out completeness in its equipments,
not only for battle, but for feeding
and protecting our soldiers in health,
and thoroughly caring for them when
sick or wounded. Porto Rico will fall
most likely with out battle, and then
the only remaining work will be for
Commodore Watson's fleet.
If Spain, with all her armies con-
quered, wherever attacked, shall re-
fuse to sue for peace, she will be noti-
fed by the thunder of our naval guns
on her coast cities and Notifications,
that if she would continue to exist
among the nations of the earth she
must give up all her West India and
|. Pacific possessions, which stand to-day
Al as monuments of her misrule and OPP
i preston for more than three centuries.