Pike County press. (Milford, Pa.) 1895-1925, 1898-06-24
WASHINGTON LETTER

/
ley. 1t is not large army, but it
is large enough to accomplish the
purpose for which it was sent the
men are splendidly equipped and are
all eager to distinguish themselves.
1t will require several daysfOr Gen.
Shafter to take up a position from
which aggressive operations against
Santiago can be started, but it is
confidently expected that news of a
crushing and decisive blow being
administered to the Spaniards will
be received during the present week.
There isn't the slightest doubt in any
quarter that Shafter will give the
Spaniards drubbing that they will
remember as soon as he can get at
them
While neither the President nor
any of his advisors believe .that the
Spanish feet left Cadiz several days
ago will dare to come to Cuban
waters. It's starting W i'll hasten the
capture of Porto Rico. No chances
are to be taken. If the Spanish feet
should cross the Atlantic it would
naturally endeavor to make Porto
Rico it's base of operations, but,
unless something now unforeseen
shall prevent the carrying out of
present plans, Porto Rico will be
in our possession before the Spanish
fleet can possible arrive there. In
this connection it may be well
to state that the steamship com
panies which own vessels suitable
for the trasportation of troops are
responsible for any delay that may
occur. They are playing hog with
the government by refusing to char
ter their vessels to carry troops, be-
cause they wish to sell them to the
government at fancy prices. The
government can, of course, impress
the vessels, leaving the compen-
sation of their owners to be settled
hereafter, but up to this time the
President has not been disposed to
resort to that method of obtaining
ships, but it may yet become neoes-
sary for him to do so.
The contest over the adoption of
the joint resolution for the annexa-
tion of Hawaii, which went through
the House last week by more than
two thirds vote, is now on in the
Senate. How long it will last de-
pends largely upon the endurance
of the Senators-less than thirty in
number-who have started out, not
to defeat the resolution by a direct
vote, but to prevent a vote at this
session of Congress. There can be
but one end-a vote and the adop-
tion of the resolution. The Senate
could not adjourn without voting
on this resolution, even if a major
| ity of it's members desired to do So
No adjournment can take place
without the consent of the House,
and the votes of 200 Representa-
tives for the annexation resolution
was a notice served on the Senate
that adjournment without action
would never be consented to by the
House. In order to make the work
of the antics as hard as possib g, it
has been decided that the friends
of annexation shall allow the other
fellows to do all the talking.
Although the subscriptions for
the war bonds to be issued are al
ready largely in excess of the
amount of the first issue-$200, ,OO0,-
O00-one bank offering to take
half of them at a premium of 1 per
cent.-there is no reason for any
small investor to withhold his sub
scription for fear that he will not
get the bonds. Those who desire
$500 or less win get them first, and
it will take lots of these small sub
scribers to absorb the entire issue
So any of your readers who desire
small amounts of these bonds at par
may forward their subscriptions, Oh
blanks to be obtained at any express
or money order post office, with
confidence that they will get the
bonds.
The third expedition will leave
San Francisco for Manila this week
and will be accompanied by Gen
Merritt 1t is not probable that an.
other expedition will be sent unit
some Of the ships that carried the
first troops return, as there are nc
more ships TO be had on the Pacific
1t is believed that the first Philli
pine expedition has arrived at Ma
,nila. As soon as official news of its
arrival is received, President Nc
Kinley intends to issue a proclama.
ton declaring a military govern
ment over the Philippine Islands
Not the slightest apprehension ex
) lists in Washington concerning tn,
= attitude Of Germany towards oul
) occupation of the Philippines, not
! withstanding persistent relteratioI
J in cable news of hostile intention
on the part Of Germany.