Middletown transcript., 1898-07-16

MH and he doesn't
SW | intend that either
Il gE1X%SH IICS talk about peace
n t/tA(Ed ll>h or the surrender
III NAIITI of the Spaniards
~ at Santiago shall
interfere with his plans. If the de-
struction of Cervera's fleet and the
Spanish defeats at Santiago have con-
vinced Spain that it is time to beg
for peace, she must say 50. She
can accomplish nothing by talking
peace unofflcially, nor through the in
tervention of other powers. This
country does not intend to allow any
other country to have any hand either
in obtaining peace for Spain or in ar
ranging the terms Of peace. Spain can
have the terms of peace whenever she
chooses to ask for them, and they will
not be deviated from nor will they be
offered until they are asked for. Mean
while the war is going to be pushed.
1t is expected, at the Navy Department
that Commodore Watson's fleet, which
is going to the coast of Spain, will get
started this week, and that, by the first
of August it will he heard from by
Spain and the expedition against
Porto Rico is to be prosecuted with
Santiago as base of supplies. Gen.
Miles has gone to Cuba to take com.
mand of the campaign.
The War and Post Office Depart
ments have adopted system for the
improvement of the mail service to the
soldiers. Under this system, the
quartermaster's department of the
army will transport all NAL within
camp to and from the point of arrival
and departure, and battalion and regi-
mental adjutants will be held response
BILE for the correct distribution of mail.
Every military post or camp established
will be given post office Immediately,
with postal superintendent in charge.
In short, nothing will be left undone
that will aid in quick and constant
communication between the soldiers
and their relatives and friends.
Just plain statement of what was
done at the session of Congress just
ended, without one word of argument,
should be amply sufficient to bring
about an increase of the Republican
majority in the next House. 1t was a
business session, as we'll as war ses-
sion. Aside from the important war
legislation, which has met every need
Of the administration and prepared, so
far as possible for its needs for the next
six months, and the regular apprOpria-
tion bills, a just and equitable National
bankrupt law was enacted; Hawaii
was annexed, and number of other
important laws placed upon the statute
books. The total amount appropriated
by Congress at the session was $692,
527, ,991, of which $361, ,799, ,O95 twas to
meet the expenses of conducting the
war against Spain.
As special favor to those who are
here in attendance upon the nnual con-
vention of the National Educational
Association, Secretary Long instructed
the commandant of the Washington
Navy Yard, which has been closed 10
visitors since the war started, to ad-
NIT members of the Association to the
yards and shops. Another unusual
courtesy extended to the Association
was the opening Of the Congressional
Library building at night by Librarian
Young. This was the first time that
the handsome building had been open
to visitors at night.
Secretary Long gives the following
reasons for the success of the Navy in
the war-a success never equaled in
any war by any navy, involving, be-
sides individual ships captured or de-
stroyed. the complete destruction oil
two Spanish fleets, that of Admiral
Cervera having several warsnips that
were as fine as any of their class afoat
First, the skill and mechanical genius
Of our people in building The best ships
Second, the high personnel of the
Navy; Third. the foresight of oul
Naval authorities in literally spending
money for ammunition to be used in
target practice; FoulIh, the help the
Secretary of the Navy had from the
Assistant Secretary and the bureau
chiefs. 1t will be remembered that
Theodore Roosevelt, who has jus! been
promoted from Il. Col. to Col, fol
gallantry in action before Santiago,
was the Assistant Secretary of the
Navy until after the fighting began.
Secretary Long said of his bureau
chiefs: "When the Navy DepaI tment
saw that war was approaching, the bu.
reau chiefs were called together and
told they would be held personally re.
sponsible for the efficiency of their
various departments. Every reason
able amount of supplies was given
them, and they were told that the Navy
must be put in thorough condition.
Not enough credit has been given to
these men, who made success possible
by having the navy prepared"
President Mckinley has named as
Commissioners t., recommend to Con.
gress needed legislation concerning
Hawaii, our new possession, Senator:
Cullom and Morgan, members of tht
Senate Committee on Foreign Rela
tations; Representative Hit, Chair
man of the House Committee OF
| a,;ra o0l Go.FnrI d DoIo