The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1898-06-23
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.

was on Cuban soil with more pleasure
than did President Mckinley.
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 days for Gen.
Shafter to take up position from
which aggressive operations against
Santiago can be started, but it is con
tidently expected that news of a crush
ing and decisive blow being admins
tered to the Spaniards will he re-
ceived 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 fleet which left Cadiz several
days ago will dare to come to Cuban
waters, its starting will hasten the
capture of Porto Rico. No chances
are to be taken. If that Spanish fleet
should cross the Atlantic it would
naturally endeavor to make Porto
Rico its base of operations, but, unless
something now unforeseen shall pre-
vent the carrying out of present
plans, Porto Rico will be in our
possession before the Spanish fleet
can possibly arrive there. In this
connection it may be we'll to state
that the steamship companies which
own vessels suitable for the transpor-
tation of troops are responsible for
any delay which may occur. They
are playing hog with the government
by refusing to charter their vessels
to carry troops, because they wish to
sell them to the government at fancy
prices. The government can, of
course, impress the vessels, leaving
the compensation of their owners to
be settled hereafter, but up to this
time the President has not been dis
posed to resort to that method of
obtaining ships, but it may yet be-
come necessary for him to do so.
The contest over the adoption of
the joint resolution for the annexa-
ton of Hawaii, which went through
the House last week by more than a
two thirds vote, is now on in the Sen
ate How long it will last depends
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 vote at this session of
Congress. There can be but one end
"a vote and the adoption of the reso-
luton. The Senate could not adiurn
without voting on this resolution,
even if majority of its members de-
sired to do so. No adjournment can
take place without the consent of the
House, and the votes of 200 Repre-
sentatives for the annexation resolu-
ton was a notice served on the Sen
ate that adjournment without action
would never be consented to by the
House. In order to make the work
of the anti's as hard as possible, it
has been decided that the friends of
annexation shall allow the other fell
lows to do all the talking.
Although the subscriptions for the
war bonds to be issued are already
largely in excess of the amount of the
first issue - $20O,0O0,00O, one bank
Offering to take half of them at a
premium of per cent.-there is no
reason for any small investor to with
hold his subscription for fear he will
not get the bonds. Those who desire
$500 or less will get them first, and it
will take lots of these small subscrib-
ers to absorb the entire issue. So any
of your readers who desire small
amounts of these bonds at par may
forward their subscriptions on blanks
to be obtained at any express or
money order postoffice, with conf
dence 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 another expe-
dition will be sent until some of the
ships that carried the first troops
return, as there are no more ships to
be had on the Pacific. 1t is believed
that the first Philippine expedition
has arrived at Manila. AS soon as
official news of its arrival is received
President Mckinley intends to issue
a proclamation declaring the estab-
lishment of military government
over the Philippine islands. Not the
slightest apprehension exists in
Washington concerning the attitude
of Germany towards our occupation
of the Philippines, notwithstanding
persistent reiteration in cable news
of hostile intention on the part of
Germany.
Thera 10 not tho s1iphtaSt fonda