The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1898-06-30
WASHINGTON
WAR GOSSIP
Dx 4. W. BUTT.


If the administration ever had any hope
that Spain would back down after the
| first defeat that hope has been dispeled
now, and certainty that the Spanish in
tend to fight it out has taken the place
ofthe ilusve hope that the war was to
be brief one. As the situation has be-
come more desperate to Spain that country
has BECOME more determined than ever, it
seems, upon prolongng the war with the
hope, possibly, of embroilng the civilized
world in STRIFE in order to get what she
| could in the general cataclism.
Every day now there comes some alarm
ing story from Madrid, France or Ger
many. One story which caused some
alarm here was that which came from
Madrid to the effect that Germany was
negotiating for the Philippines and that
| the emperor would cede to France Alsace
and Lorraine, with the understanding that
that country would lend Spain all the
money needed to carry on the wars This
proposition contained two crazy people
in it, and ON account of this occasoned
some alarm outside of administration cir
Giles. Emperor William is conceded to be
crazy. partially SO, and the French may
be so considered on general principles. The
administration fastened to deny this story
and give out assurances that Germany was
perfectly friendly and had repeatedly made
statements to this effect through the Ger
man minister here. l have 1t from
source that could not be better, that the
administration has no fear whatever or
German interference in the eastern ques-
ton.
The next story which also came via
Madrid, was to the effect that the South
American republics were forming an ALL
ance against this country with the intent
to give sympathy and aid to the mother
country.
The ministers from the South American
countries FASTENED to the white house TO
deny this report and to stamp 1t as pro
Spanish fabrication. The administrator
is convinced that Span's only object IN
holding out is to stir up strife among the
nations and arouse jealousies on the con-
tinent and in all Europe. 1t is this view OF
the situation which has forced the admins
tration TO push the war vigorously, even
to the very doors of the Spanish Kingdom.
Effective blows struck at vital points VIII
soon bring Spain to terms, it is believed
The war will certainly run through TINS
summer. and how much longer no one can
tell at the present time But 1t Will not DC
allowed to lnger or drag in any way. Inc
armies and navy will be busy continually
through the hot months and Will possibly
walt until frost to strike the final blow at
Havana This Is the intention at present.
but the army may overrun Cubab from the
Santiago province before that time.
Still the administration does not antlci,
nate conuuering Cuba until the fall. 1t VIII
ALI depend upon the ease with which SAN
tiago is taken. AT this time the war au-
thorities look for heavy fighting in that
vicinity and do not think the Spaniards Will
weld without terrific struggle. No appre-
hension is felt as to the issue OF the con-
test though the Spanish are not expected
to yield without desperate resistance
Reports are continually reaching here of
the desperate condition of the people on
the island of Cuba. The president is great
ly chagrinned that the people (namely, the
reconcentIados, for whom the war was
practically undertaken are nearly all dead.
They possibly could not have survived, buc
the fact that they have starved to death
in most cases is cause for great regret to
the president.
The government will still try to feed as
many of them that remain as is possible.
The present programme contemplates push
ing into the interior after Santiago, rams,
and getting possession of any roads in that
end of the island carry provisions in what
ever direction possible. AS many as come
will be fed and efforts will be made to get
the country people u DeBiH "oih oi ehSii
lands again. War and peace will be pushed
hand in hand from Santiago. How far TINS
plan can be carried out can not be foretoid
now. but it is the plan and will be carried
out to the extent of the ability of this gov
eminent to do so.
The war is a few days older than two
months and in spite of the unprepared
condition of the government at the time
war was declared more has been accom-
H., hot tttNan fhn ~ a
two monts of almost any war in the history
of modern times.
Sixty-six days Of actual war and we find
sixteen thousand troops in Cuba, near SAN
tiago; capable communications established
between the home government ana the ad-
vance guard of the expedition to Cuba;
the Spanish fleet in the orient destroyed and
one of its European squadrons hopelessy
bottled in Santiago harbor; Manila at the
mercy of an American admiral and the
Philippines practically in the hands of
Span's enemies; the expedition to Porto
Rico on the point of embarking and two
hundred thousand men in camp in. the
United States to all intents and purposes
drilled and disciplined. Not bad fer sixty
six days.
Ex-senator Blackburn has about given up
the idea of entering the army. President
Mckinley got him to do it. When Black
burn saw his old contemporaries getting
fat places in the army and marching to the
front or else going on crutches he was in
spired to take up arms again. There was
Ex-Governor Oates, who was minus an arm,
ex-senator Butler, minus a leg. Several had
grown so fat that they would have to use a
step ladder, as General Rosser said to
mount a horse.
Blackburn made short statement of his
arms and legs and so thought that there
was nothing to bar him from an appoint
ment Consequently he marshalled his
forces and presented himself at the white
house. President Mckinley greeted him with
all the love he still has for men whom he
knew in publis life-when he was simply
plain Representative Mckinley.
Blackburn hade a short statement of his
case and offered to sacrifice himself upon
the artar of his country.
l never hear 10 Blackburn talk without
being reminded of the stories about the
beautiful voice of Robert Burns. Black
burns voice is absolutely caressing. SEM
ator Lindsay the great big stalwart Ken
tuckion, one said, in speaking of Blackburn:
when am with 10 l don't see how have
III hut trhn oar