The herald., 1898-07-15

There will be little disposition mani
tested in any quarter to criticise the man
agement Of the campaign in Eastern
Cuba, since 1t has resulted in 80 quickly
bringing the enemy to terms wholly dc
tated by ourselves. The defenders OF
Santiago have been compelled to lay down
their erms, open the gates to the invading
army accept food at the hands Of their
conquerors and agree to 90 home to fight
no more, for 1t is safe to assume that
the usual course will be pursued and that
they win be paroled, upon condition that
they will not again take up arms against
the United States until regularly ex-
changed. The fear. therefore, that they
may, upon arrival in Spain, be sent
against our troops In the Philippines or
elsewhere, Is not warranted. When the
army surrendered everything was for
feited. including the privilege Of fight
ing again. Its arms. equipments and
stores, and all Of the city's defenses. were
handed over Internationally to the United
States, and 1t is intimated that other i'm
portant concessions are made in the mill
tary some extending far beyond the limits
Of Santiago proper.
Primarily there was little to contend
for in Eastern Cuba, and the wisdom of
the enemy in making so stubborn re-
sistance is not at once apparent. Had not
Cervera sought shelter Tor his feet in the
land-locked harbor, It is questionable If
the United States would have made dem
onstration against the garrisored city at
this time, for now that we are in full pos
session its strategic Importance will no
where and by nobody be recognized. With
the Spanish fleet at the bottom Of the
bay and the Spanish army on its way
home, It does not appear that any occa-
sion exists for heavily garrisoning the
place. This for the reason that 1t is too
remote from Havana to be used as base
Of operations against that city, the next
objective point. A single gunboat may
maintaining the blockade, If, indeed, the
necessity Of longer blockading that Sec
ton Of the coast be recognized. In the
absence of the Spanish army, there will
be little inducement to land supplies, since
there will be few people left to consume
them, and their transfer to Havana over
land from that point will scarcely be
thought Of. in the present condition of
the roads and in the face of menacing
disease,
The gallant commanders OF army and
navy, and their no less gallant men, have
done well their work, and will receive
the impulsive plaudits and the lasting
gratitude Of the American people. Their
achievements have cleared the atmosphere
and pointed the way either to a speedy
peace. in the discretion of the battered
enemy or to even more decisive results
IN the western provinces. The air is full
-os ruxnors regarding future plans of the
MAR board Some credit 1t with the pur-
pose Of Immediately invading Porto Rico.
Others hint at suspension Of hostilities
throughout the island until the rainy sea-
son ends In October, and 1t is undenied
that such a plan has been under consfd-
Grafton, but we prefer to take the view
that 30 obviously unwise plan will not
be adopted. We believe public sentiment,
to which the administration is not wholly
oblivious, will demand prompt and en-
erget1c movement against Havana, as the
quickest and surest way to force Spain to
terms.