The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1898-05-27
Washington Letter.
From our regular Correspondent
WASHINGTON, d. G. May %, 1898

lieNeu W Oe HeaueU lot Cupa, may
escape the fleet of Admiral Sampson,
which did such good work in destroy
ing the notifications in the harbor at
San Juan, Porto Rico, and the flying
squadron of Commodore Schley, which
is now being given its first opportun-
lty to show what it can do in the
lighting line, and get safely into some
Cuban harbor. 1t will make no differ
ence in the end-nnl vessel in that
81 anish fleet will escape destruction
or capture-but it would be much
easier t' destroy the fleet on the open
sea than it will be after it gets into a
fortified Cuban harbor And besides,
that fleet has supplies for the Spanish
in Cuba which it is very desirable to
keep away from them.
The coming of the Spanish fleet has
naturally resulted in holding up all
plans for the invasion of Cuba, but
they are only postponed until the fleet
can be got at and DESTROYED, not
! abandoned. The postponpment OF the
invasion OF Cuba is really very advan-
tageous to US, as it will enable us t.,
make the invasion with a larger and
much better prepared army. 1t has
been found that many of the volun-
teers are poorly equipped, and it will
take time to gather the new equip
ment for them. Spending a short
while in camp will also be greatly
beneficial to the volunteers it will
get them in condition to stand a
campaign in Cuba.
The several fights which have taken
place In Cuban harbors between our
blockading ships and the Spaniards
have been entirely satisfactory to the
administration. Formidable batteries
have been destroyed, two Spanish
cables have been cut, many Spaniards
have been killed, and our loss has been
comparatively small. The crews of
the blockading ships have proven
themselves brave and fearless in carry
ing out the most dangerous orders
the men who cut the tw o cables In the
harbor of Cienfuegos having done 80
IN open boats, under heavy fire from
batteries and from small arms,
There are lot of rumors III circula-
ton concerning Speaker Reeds oppo-
sltlon to the adoption of the Joint res
olutlon for the annexation of Hawaii.
which was favorably reported to the
House, and his Intention to prevent
Its being voted upon. There is no
foundation for these rumors, further
than the wishes of those who started
them. The resolution will be voted
upon, and will be adopted by large
majority. This statement is made on
undouhted authority.
There is no possibility that the
amended war revenue bill which has
been reported to the Senate from its
Finance Committee can ever become
law. In tact. there j. no doubt
nhttlitr - could l,as> ih, Senate. i'm its
present cotrlIii"n. In addil .on to
striking out the clause authurizlng
th, issue of bonds-the ONLY certain
Way in which the government can at
short notice raise all tbe money that
may be he. ded to fight the War to a
victorious end-the amended bill pro-
vides for an additional issue of green
hacks amounting to $I50,0OO 900, a
proposition that he House uverwhelnl-
ingly voted down before passing the
| bill, and the coming of the so-called
selgnorage of the silver bullion oa ned
10y the government, $42,O0O,O00 in
silver certificates to be issn. d in ad-
vance of the cOiuage. representative
steele, OF Ind. a prominent member
"l the House Ways and Means com
nlttee, said, alter reading the bill re-
ported to the Senate: "The majority
of the Senate Finance Committee
seem to think that this government
can carry on an expensive foreign war
on wind" Chairman Dingley said of
the amended bill: "The Bryan de-
mocracy appears to have abandoned
tree silver and gone back to fiat
money, pure and simple. l am now
wondering what the republicans, who
lett their party and enlisted under the
Bryan banner IN order to secure the
free and unlimited coinage of silver,
will say to that proposition. What's
the use of going to all the trouble and
expense of coming 80 cent silver dol
lars when you can print paper dollars
in unlimited quantities and amounts
1T slight trouble and expense. The
nond clause is certain to be restored to
| the bill by vote of the Senate.
| Representative Cousins, of Iowa,
who has been known as an anti-annex-
ationist, but who voted in favor of the