The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-07-26

Washington, July ga signlhcant
statement was made to the Associated
Press today by a gentleman in po-
stion to speak with knowledge and
authority as to the plans Of the ad-
rninistration with reference to future
war operations. In substance the
statement was as follows:
"COmmodOre Watson in proceeding to
4hc Spanish peninsula as soon as the
Porto Rican expedition is gotten under
way is not to lombard the cities on
the Spanish coast. No such idea of
bombardment Of the coast is entertain
cd. While there may be other inciden-
tai purposes, the main mission Of Wat
son is to take care Of Admiral Ca
maras fleet. The movement of this
fleet and the fears and apprehensiOns
caused by reports concerning it are
to be stopped for all time. The ships
under Camara will be located by Wat
son and finally met and engaged. The
talk occasionally INDUCED in as to the
Canary islands is utterly without fOun-
datiOn. This government has no plan
to take those islands and does not
want them.
Despite popular expectation that
Porto Rico operations will be followed
Immediately by action against Ha-
Vana. it can be said that Havana will
not be attacked while yellow fever
conditions exist. This is certain. 1t
would be the height of national folly
to engage our troops in and about that
fever peSthOle. Consequently, it will
be left until the climate lends it's aid
in the autumn. Shafter will hold his
own in the eastern strip now surren-
dered. may gradually push his way
over some other districts and if there
should be any particular need of i'm
mediate aggressive action at any point
will move against it, but Havana will
be left until yellow fever dangers are
past.
DIFFICULTIES IN THE SITUATION
Meantime in the next two months
there will be enough to keep this gov
ernment busy. We will have to cope
with the most serious problem yet, of
providing for the government and the
future of the lands involved in this
war. The hauling down of the Span
ish flag and the hosting of that of the
United Stateh means more than on it's
face it indicates to the popular mind.
No more important matter is to en-
gage the attention of the government
than the details arranged for the dis
position, control or temporary posses
sion pending final transfer of posses
sion of these additions to our domain.
There are questions of the most intri-
cate and far reaching character to be
decided. Porto Rico, whose fall is
likely to be recorded within a week or
ten days will have to have a military
government Porto Rico of course is
to be kept permanently by this gov
ernment but there must be a military
first and nrplirr1i-
mary details will have to be worked out.
There must be a reha bitatiOn of exist
ing systems OF government where we
have carried our arms, and while To-
cal schemes and conditions will form
the basis of the general system for
the control of the land, there must be
numerous changes, abolishing such
laws as may be oppressive. The laws
viii have to be very thoroughly gone
over and the tariff revised in some
ways, but in general as far as pos
Sible. the system of government which
now exists is to be followed. All this
means work of the most serious char
aCter. and in the absence of existing
laws to govern such matters the preSi-
dent has TO go ahead on his own re-
SpOnEjbility. Next winter. however,
when congress Convenes. the necessity
for laws covering such matters will be
recognized by recommendations to
by the president and il is very prob
able the shaping of the destinies of
Porto Rico and similarly circumstance
ed accessiOnS Will be left 10 a commits
sion or commissioners to be appoint
ed to draft the laws for adoption by
congress The government is likely to
be busy from now on, considering all
these matters of governmental detail.
TO RETAIN LADRONE ISLANDS.
1T is certainty. 50 far as now can BE
foreseen. that Guam, the island in the
Lt1rone group that was captured by
this government will be permanently
reta ned as a coaling and supply sta
TiOn. For these purposes it is valua-
ble from its location between the
Sandwich and the Philippine islands.
bat on the point whether the rest OF
sTnay be and they may not be. The dis
position of the Philippines is unset
tied and depends on circumstances.
AS to the attitude of Garcia and the
insurgents in Cuba. there is no change
in our intention. This government has
not been misied in it's estimate of those
forces. With the oppressive hand
Spain has put on them so long, con-
tending against the conditions imposed
by injustice and oppression. there
should have been little expectation of
greater abilities than are now shown
by them. This government will have
to treat them kindly, but firmly 1t has
made a pledge to establish a firm and
stable government, and that must be
carried out. 1t, therefore, may be, in