Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1898-07-28
Our Plans With Refer
ence to the War
Operations.
Watson's Work WilE Be
to Destroy Camara's
Fleet.
Sea Coast Cities of Spain
Are Not to Be
BOmbarded.

Washington, July pa significant
| statement was made to the Associated
Press Friday by a gentleman in a po-
sition to speak with knowledge and
authority as to plans Of the admins
tration with reference to future war
/ operations. In substance the state
ment follows:
Commodore Watson in proceeding
to the Spanish peninsula as soon as
the Porto Rican expedition Is gotten
under way is not to lombard the
cities on the Spanish coast. While
there may be other incidental pur-
poses the main mission of Watson Is
to take care Of Camara's feet. The
movement Of this fleet and the fears
and apprehensions caused by the re-
ports concerning 1t are to be stopped
for all time. The ships under Camara
are to be located by Watson and final
ly met and engaged. The talk occa-
sionally INDUCED in as to the Canary
islands is utterly without foundation.
This government has no plan to take
those Islands and does not want them.
Despite the popular expectation that
the Porto Rico operations will be
followed Immediately by action
against Havana, it can be said that
Havana will not be attacked while
the yellow fever conditions exist. This
climate lends its aid in autumn.
! Shafter will hold his own in the
eastern strip now surrendered and
may gradually push his way over some
other districts and if there should be
any particular need of immediate ag-
gressive action at any point he will
move against it, but Havana will be
left until yellow fever dangers are
past.
Meantime in the next two months
there will be enough to keep this
government busy. The hauling down
Of the Spanish flag and the hosting
of that of the United States means
the popular mind. There are ques-
tions of the most intricate and far
reaching character to be decided
Porto Rico, whose fan Is likely to be
recorded within week or ten days,
will have a military government.
Porto Rico, Of course. is to be kept
permanently by this government, but
there must be military government
first and many preliminary details
have to be worked out The laws
will have to be very thoroughly gone
over and the tarih system revised in
some way, but in general the system
OF government which now exists is TO
be followed. The government Is like
ly to be busy from now on in consid-
|. ering all these matters of govern
mental ideas.
1t is certain. so far as now can be
foreseen, that Guam island. IN the
Ladrone group captured by this gov
eminent, is to be permanently held as
coaling and supply station. Wheth-
err the rest of them will be kept cannot
now be said. The disposition of the
Philippines is unsettled and depends
upon circumstances.
As to the attitude of Garcia ami the
insurgents in Cuba there Is no change
in our intention. This government
has not been misled in It's estimates
of those forces While the oppressive
hands of Spain have been put on them
so long Contending against the con-
i dittons imposed by injustice and op-
!, preston, there should be little expec
tation of greater abilities than are now
shown by them. This government
will have to treat them kindly but
firmly. 1t has made pledge to es-
tablish firm, stable government and
that must be carried out. 1t therefore
may be, in the light of present cir
cumstances ard conditions. many
years before affairs there have so
shaped themselves that we can en-
trust the island to the Cubans and
finally yield our possession to them.
The transition must be gradual. step
by step, and the final general change
and control will be effected only after
thorough transition and a demon
stration Of the abilities OF the people,
beginning with the trial OF some OF thu
leaders in at first minor capacities
This is what Is to be looked for and
the gradual transition will consume
length Of time considerably at vari-
ance with what the people most ex-
pect.
Acting Agent Facuet OF tho French