The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1898-07-29
Washington Letter.
From our regular Correspondent

WASHINGTON, d. C. July II, 1898.
Gen. Skaters great victory in the
capture of Santiago and $4,000 Span
ish troops, with their arms and ammu
milton, would have caused much more
rejoicing had it not been accompanied
by the news that the yellow fever had
broken out in our army at Santiago.
Everything that money and science
and medical skill can do to stamp out
the disease is being done, and the re-
ports indicate that the fever is so far
of a mild type, but there will be much
uneasiness until the full extent of the
infection becomes known.
The War Department is perfectlng
arrangements to send the Spaniards,
who surrendered at Santiago, back to
Spain, under parole, in accordance
with the terms of surrender, and they
will be hurried off as soon as possible.
Sending them to Spain is the best pos
sible thing to do with them. 1t will
be cheaper than feeding them and
keeping them as prisoners, either in
Cuba or in the U. S. and even if it
wasn't it would still be the best way
to get rid of them.
Secretary Alger is very proud OF a
letter he has received from gentle
man who held high command in the
Union army during the civil war and
who has world wide reputation as
an authority on military matters. The
tenor of the letter may be judged from
this extract: "You have shown the
world what American staff depart
ments under head of great executive
ability can create in an emergency.
1t is difficult to create an army, equip
it and move it, and 1T requires pecu-
liar kind of ability"
The total amount of subscriptions
the war bond was 81 100000, and
would doubtless have been twice as
large had not the certainty that they
would not get any prevented many
large financial concerns from Offering
to take big blocks of the bonds. The
meaning of this offer of our own citi-
zens to loan the government one bill
lion, three hundred and sixtyfve mil
lion dollars, at three per cent interest,
will be more fully appreciated in Eu-
rope than among Ourselves,-we re-
quired no such proof of the patriotism
of our people. President Mckinley is
much pleased to know that the entire
issue of bonds will go to individuals,
not one of whom will get more than
$4,000, and that almost half of the
5000, ,OOO,O 900 will go out in lots of $500
or less. 1t is a popular loan sure
enough.
1t might be supposed from the tenor
OF the European cable news that ne
gotiations for peace between the U. S.
and Spain were under way. Such is
not the case There has been no ne
gotiations, in fact, no word from Spain
on the subject. This government has
had an ample suficiency of negotiat-
ing with Spain, and is not likely to
countenauce any in connection with
peace. There will be no need for any.
When Spain thinks she has been
thrashed sufficiently, she can obtain
our terms of peace by asking for them.
AS they will not be deviated from,
there will no occasion for any negotia-
tions; the terms must be either ac-
cepted or rejected at once. The state
ment that President Mckinley had
told the terms of peace to European
diplomat, in order that he might make
them known to Spain, was bare-fac-
ed lie, with not even probable foun-
dation. 1t is not customary for the
victorious country to offer terms OF
peace before they are asked for, and
any statement that President NcKin-
ley has done so, or that he intends do
ing SO, may be put down as manufac-
tured.