The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-06-17
THIS BELIEVED TO BE THE BE-
GINNING OF THE END
ment to Force Matters Leads
Color to the Idea That with the
Actual Occupation of Cuba and
Porto Rico the Powers Under the
Lead of England VIII Take Steps
to Bring the War to a Speedy
Close.
Washington Bureau, st. Paul Globe, I
Corcoran Building. (
Special to The st. Paul Globe.

Special to The st. Paul Globe.
WASHINGTON, June 16. - Within
twenty-four hours the war with Spain
will have assumed a new phase. With
in that time it is believed Gen. Shafter
wal be at Santiago, and it is safe to
assume that with his arrival there will
be no delay in planting the flag on
Cuban soil, not with guard Of mar
ines to hold it, but with an army of
invasion ready to support this sign of
sovereignty.
The belief is firm in many quarters
at Washington that the actual occupa-
ton Of Cuba by a strong armed force,
such as that which sailed under Shaft
er, will be the beginning of the end.
More than ever the fact will be i'm
pressed upon Spain and Europe that
the struggle is hopeless, and that 1t
Is only folly to continue it. Indeed, in
some quarters, particularly among the
foreign diplomats, 1T is said that the
new phase Of the war means it's indef-
mite extension. This might be true
were events allowed to shape them
selves, with Spain preferring death in
the last ditch rather than a surrender.
In this case resistance to the invasion
of Cuba and Porto Rico might be stub
born, as Spain would desire to make
the conquest as expensive for the Unit
ed States as possible. But there are
signs that Spain's leaders will not be
allowed to follow such a programme
TIME TO STOP.
1t Is hinted that England believes
the war has gone far enough, and that
as soon as American troops are landed
in force in Cuba Lord Salisbury will
suggest to the other powers the bring
Ing to bear Of pressure that will in
duce Spain to yield her Western pos
sessions and end the hopeless struggle
But the diplomatical phase of the de-
velopment Is at best only Incidental.
The essential point is that the United
States has made good the promise to
bring freedom to the patriots of Cuba
by force Of arms.
The war department is reticeh- as to
the exact whereabouts of Gen. Shafter
and his invading army, but from signs
which those here have learned to in
terpret accurately, there is no ques-
ton that important news is expected
at an early date. This can be nothing
else than information of the landing
of troops under the protection of Samp-
sons guns, and this is the foundation
Tor the statement that within twenty
four hours the new phase of the war
will be on.
The actual developments Of today
We're not many. There was no news
from Shafter, Sampson or Dewey, but
none was expected, so this lack caused
nellner surprise nor apprehension
From Cuba the first tidings will be Of
the invasion. This may be delayed by
e circumstances little beyond the time
set, but early news Of the landing of
troops when the programme is execut-
60 is expected at Washington. Samp-
son is in possession Of one end of the
cable at Guantanamo, and as soon as
the soldiers are on shore at Santiago
dispatch boat will doubtless carry
the news to the cable station for trans
mission to the war depa rtment. The
cable is held by Huntington's marines,
ana there are no fears that it will be
lost before Gen. Shafter and his men
arrive.
WAR DEPARTMENT EAGER.
Some color is given to the statement
that the occupation of Cuba and Porto
l;lco will mean an early end Of the
war by the very evident desire of the
war department to hurry matters along.
No effort is being spared to complete =
the equipment Of the troops now in the
field at the earliest possible moment
Kumors Of orders to move were cur
rent today, but they could not be con-
firmed. and the statement made at the
war department that orders have not
yet been issued Is probably correct.
Definite action is expected with the
coming of Gen. Miles, who will be here
tomorrow from Tampa, to consult with
Secretary Alger.
In advance Of Gen. Miles arrival it
is impossible to predict what he will
advise. but 1t is probable he will sug-