Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1898-06-17
WASHINGTON LETTER.
From our regular Correspondent

snip OF news OHiy 'he 'J S
BILE accept the story given wide pub
licity, that the transports were held
at Tampa because of the fear that
they might be captured by a mis-
terious Spanish fleet that had been
reported to be engaged in doing the
"Flying Dutchman" act in the vicinity
of Havana. These transports are
known to have gone to Key West
and arc supposed to be well on their
way to Santiago, but it is altogether
probable that the first positive In
formation the public gets about these
troops will tell of their capture of
Santiago, where Admiral Sampson
has so well prepared the way for
them. They cannot get the honor Of
first raising our flag on Cuban soil;
that already belongs to SIMPSONS
marines, who are now in possession OF
Guantanamo Bay.
Hurry orders have been seat to
Generals Coppinger and to Lee, who
are to command the army sent to
capture Porto Rico, to get the troops
ready for cmbarkation with as little
delay as possible.
There have been numerous reports
recently, originating in Europe, that
Spain had or was about to ask Aus
tria, or some other nation to ask the
| U. S. to state its terms for peace.
These rumors are believed to have
been started for the purpose OF feel
ing public opinion in this country.
Not only has the Austrian Minister
not made any peace overtures to TINS
government but he evidently docs
not expect to have any important
business in Washington before fall as
he is going to the New England coast
with his entire staff, this week, to
remain away all summer. According
to prominent European diplomats,
no neacs oyertures will he made on
behalf ofSpain until this government
intimates to the diplomatic corps
that such will be acceptable and that
it would be willing to discuss the
terms upon which it would agree to
peace. Ifthat is really the view of
the European nations, Spain would
better deal direct with this govern
ment. We did not seek this war, but
having got into it, and having won
nothing but victories, it would be
absurd to expect us TO ask for peace.
1t is the whipped power that must
ask for peace, and the longer Spain
defers the asking the worst she will
be licked. The fighting power Of
the L. 5. grows stronger each day,
while that of Spain grows weaker.
Ifthere had been no bond clause in
the war revenue bill, as reported
from conference, it would have come
very near to receiving 4 unanimous
vote in the Senate, instead of going
through by vote of 4S to p. The
opposition to any other clauses of the
bill was nominal, although a number
| of them, including the coinage of
ST. 100000 OF silver every month,
some of the stamp taxes, and the tax
on tea, were not altogether satisfac-
tory. President Mckinley promptly
signed the bill, and now the people
have the chance to buy at par one
half of the S4SO,OOO,OO0 in bonds
authorized to be issued by the new
law-it is hoped that it may not be-
come necessary to issue the other
$780, OO,O 900. Although these bonds
Will only pay three per cent interest,
the big fnanciers are so certain that
they will soon command premium
that they will gladly take them al.
Small investors will have the first OPP
portunity to buy. What they fail to
take in 80 days will go to capitalists
in BIG blocks. Senator Wolcott is
one of those who believes that the
people will take them all. He said;
''The people of the country will take
ND these bonds as a manifestation Of
their patriotism and their pride in
the country.
Iii now settled by agreement OF
the House, after large majority, in
Guiding members of all parties, had
shown its power, that the Hawaiian
annexation resolution shall be voted
upon Wednesday afternoon. Iti
adoption is certain. Speaker Reed''
friends are trying to square him will
6, the friends Ofannexation by declar
ing that he had been misrepresent ed
that he never had any idea of allow
ing his personal opposition to annexa'
, ton to cause him to try to stand ii
the way of a majority of the House
= getting TO a vote on the resolution
, Some of the leading annexationists
assert that the Speaker has killed hi
political future, but wise politicians
lara not vat INVESTING any money IN