Evening star., 1898-07-15
PEACE NOT AT HAND
The Opinion of Congressman Now in
the City.
N UGH REMAINS TO BE DONE
Senator Elkins Predicts Stout Re-
sistance by Havana.
SENATOR COCKRELL'S VIEW

| who are now In Washington the opinion is
| not held that the surrender of Santiago
| means immediate peace. The almost uni
versal idea seems to be that the peculiar
| characteristics of the Spanish render Il
| unlikely that Spain will at this time as
I sumo an attitude which will admit OF this
government entering upon negotiations OF
peace with her. The impression that this
government is over anxious for peace is
regarded as a thing TO be avoided. The
understanding is that the war is TO be
pressed vigorously from point to point, al
ways advancing against the power Of
Spain, and 1t is believed that still further
| disaster will have to be brought upon the
| arms of Spain before she will yield. The
| fact that large army has been sent from
/ our coast to Manila and that Gen. Mer-
| ritts instructions contemplate the estab-
lishment of a military government and the
| collection of war revenue on the islands
| is regarded as negativing the proposition
| that this government intends to retain no
further interest in the Philippines than the
possession of a coaling station.
Future of the Philippines.
| The most common opinion among sena-
| tors and representatives who have been
| Interesting themselves in the matter, ard
have talked with the President and his ad-
visers on the subject, is that the Philip
pines will be made independent OF Spain,
with q local self-government under the
protection Of the United States. 1t is not
believed that the President would consent
to the restoration of these islands TO Sraih
or to any joint protectorate of the powers.
and 1t IS declared that the Senate would
| never ratify treaty of peace which did
either of these two things. The failure TO
p,r of In,
pt ssession of this government any terri
tory at this time occupied, and would not
restore it to Spain. 1t would take afarma-
tive action TO restore captured and occu-
pied territory.
Havana Would Hold Out.
Senator Elkins. who is especially close to
the President, expressed an opinion this
morning that Spain would not now sue for
peace He stated that all the efforts Of the
Spanish on this side of the water would
be exerted for a continuation of the war.
I'VE have not yet accomplished what we
have started out to do" he said, and as
long as Havana can hold out every effort
will be made TO continue the hostilities. The
Spaniards in control of that place know
that they are comparatively secure, an1
that any attempt on our part TO take
Havana at this time would mean the loss
of many thousands of oar men by yellow
fever, not to mention the losses by an at
tack on that city. According to reports,
Havana will be able TO hold out for sew
eral months yet because her resources are
such as to enable her 10 get supplies from
the surrounding countries. The city Is
practically able to draw on the surround
ing country for miles, because there Is
not an insurgent in that province ana
crops can be raised every three months.
Havana is practically. fortified for thirty
miles, If put in a straight line, and would
require an immense army to surround IL
Its Notifications are not confined to the
city but extend for miles from the CITY,
and this would mean one assault after an
other before our troops could reach the
town, and from CDR experience at santiago
that means frightful losses. The SPAN
iards know that they have lost their navy
but they have had but one reverse on lano'
and Blanco, knowing his position at Ha-
yana, will urge a continuance as iohg as
his supplies hold out. If there was stable
government at Madrid II might change the
situation and there might be prospects OF
peace but as long as Havana has supphes'
and there is fear If a revolution az homS,
the advice of the Spaniards from TINS sloe
will be to continue the war.
Senator EllSins aid that ne had alWays
held and stated IL his closing speeches IN
the Senate that W should take forto RICO
before an attack vas made upon haEaha'
and his words were, After Porto bico'
on TO CadiZ and Barcelona" The senator
said another question entered into the at
tack on the coast of Spain, and that was
Spaniards into suing for peace or only
aggravate them to further resistance. He,
however, still stood by his opinion TO at
tack Spain itself. and he was sure that
the policy of the President was to do this
as soon as Porto Rico was in our posses
sion. He did not think the occupation OF
Porto Rico would be a difficult task, COM
pared with Santiago. That had been a d.
gression from our original policy, and the
result had been a severe one to our army.
Circumstances, however, control the situa-
tion, and one could truthfully predict
what might happen to change the present
plans.
Star reporter asked Senator Cockrell
today what he thought would be the et-
feet of the Santiago surrender.
Not Ready for Peace.
Nothing" the Senator replied, except
to close that campaign to facilitate our
further operations. We have simply to
smash right at Spain and fight her into
proper Eubmission. There is no peace In
the present situation. We are not ready
for peace. Spain should not be permitted
to deceive herself on this score. This gov
ernment is at present engaged in war, not
in making peace. Spain should be given
to understand that she has not yet given
US sufficient satisfaction for her conduct
and that we will not be ready to talk peace
Until we have taken everything. Talk of
reace as IL We were seeking Ii Is not
healthy. 1t is calculated to make Spain
believe that she has but to propose terms
OF peace. and that we will ct once accept
tEern. We have got to press the war with
ei ergy; not TO stop to talk about peace at
this point"
The senator was asked what sort of peace
would ultimately be obtained.
THAT We cannot say il depends too
much upon the disposition of the executive
for any one to be able to say what the
ultimate terms will be- / think we Will
have possession of these islands before we
begin to consider peace.
Il do not know what Will be the policy
of the executive. j know what ] would do
do not think any territory taken should
ever be restored to Spain. / would give to
the Philippines, well as to Cuba, an in
dependent form Of self-government under
the protection of the United States Pop
ular government is not failure
Duty to Sustain Popular Government.
I'VE have duty to sustain popular gov
ernrnent- There are many bright and cap
able men among the people of the Philip
pines. and they are capable Of self-sovern-
ment; but even II they are not at frst CAP
able Of making really good government.