The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1898-08-12
Washington Letter.
From our regular Correspondent1

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President McKinley's reply to the
Spanish "feeler" as to the terms upon
which we would negotiate peace, which
Is now in the hands of the Spanish
Ministry, is not only liberal, it is, un-
der the circumstances magnanimous.
1t provides for the evacuation of Cuba
and Porto Rico, the former to have an
independent government, under the
protection of the U. S. and that the
latter shall become our property,
Spanish troops upon both to be sent
home at the expense of Spain, and
leaves the question of what shall be
done with the Philippine islands, to
be settled afterwards. If Spain is
wise, she will lose no time in accept
ing these terms, as it is very certain
that If the war is continued the terms
will grow harder and harder, but for
Spain to display wisdom will be a new
thing under the sun. The French
Ambassador, who is now also the
Spanish Minister, accepted the terms,
but, of course, his acceptance goes for
nothing until confirmed by Spain.
Our preparations for pushing the
campaigns in Porto Rico and in the
Philippines have not been stopped to
await Spain's answer, and will not be
stopped. and if Spain refuses the terms
or attempts to gain time by quibbling,
the plans for sending Commodore
Watson's fleet to Spain, which were
deferred in order to give Spain
chance to ask for peace, will at once
be carried out. 1t is doubtful whether
any other country than the US.
would have been SO generous to de-
feated foe as not to insist upon
large money indemnity; it is also
doubtful whether the Spanish charac-
ter is capable of appreciating that gen.
erosity.
Brlgadier General Chas. P. Eagan,
Commissary General of the Army has
made public scathing denunciation
of Robert B. Roosevelt, for having
written letter to the secretary of the
Sons o. the American Revolution,
charging shameful incapacity or in
famous dishonesty in the commissary
department. The tenor of Gen. Eag-
ans remarks, which make a column
of nonperiel may be judged from the
following quotation: "Notoriety is
what Mr.. Roosevelt wants, and he is
bound to have it. He deserves it-he
stayed at home. He did right to stay
at home. Notoriety is what he is
after; we see it in every line OF his
writing. He carefully avoids giving a
name or date. OF course, we know
why. He could not do it and tell the
truth. But he could manufacture
letter in such shape and form as to
bring misery and distress to every
father and mother, wife and sister OF
the men at the front, who did not
know that the disingenious representa-
ton of lawyer for the purpose of
notoriety were what they were read
ing, not statement of facts, not
true or fair representation of the ac-
ton of officers, nor the truth regard
ing the situation in the field, but a
low, libellous, scandalous villiticatlon
of honorable men,"
Sickness continues to increase In
Gen. Skaters army at rate that
would be alarming were it not for the
small number of deaths. AS 1t Is,
there is much uneasiness, and plans
for bringing the men back to the U.
S. at the earliest possible moment are
being perfected.
Dispatches from Admiral Dewey,
and Gen. Merritt, who has arrived and
taken command of the army, have IN
creased the apprehension that we shall
have to whip both the Spaniards and
the insurgents before the Manila CAM
paign is over. It is expected that
Gen. Merritt and Admiral Dewey Will
make combined land and water at
tack on Manila in few days, if the
Spanish do not meet their demands
for surrender, and if Spain does not ac-
cept our terms of peace. Then it will
be seen whether they will have to fight
the insurgents.
OAsToRIA.
p.,.h. nIhs Kind You Have Always Bought