The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1898-07-19
ONO COUNTY REPUBLICAN UCKET.
Two Decisive Movements.

The news that orders have been given
70 complete preparations for the sailing
Of the squadron which Is to be sent to
the Spanish coast under Commodore
Watson, and that the expedition will
probably start by the last of the present
week. indicates that the campaign to
force Spain to terms is to be pushed Wig
orousiy, while the effects of the great
victory at Santiago are yet being felt.
This fact 10 accumulated by the further
news that the movement on Puerto
Rico has aiready begun, forces now be-
ing euroute and others about to sail
The Prealdent Is resolved to strike
wlssie the iron Is hot. The issue is to
be forced in these two particulars as the
most effective to bring Spain to fuller
realization of the hoplessness Of her
case. II she IS sincere about peace ne
EotIatEons. the necessity for some prac-
ttcal proposition will be forced upon her
by quick blows that are to be delivered
ID these two quarters. Every plan now
under way by this government is in di-
rect Ane OF an early ending of the war.
Nobody doubts the result of Watson's
expedition. 1t will be the most import
ant yet devised. for It will bring the war
hume to Spain and the Spanish people,
at a dine when domestic conditions are
in such shape as to further augment the
: critical situation on the peninsula The
general feeling is one of confidence that
the movement on Puerto Rico. on the
other hand, Will be Of easy accomplish
Fnent. Natural conditions, as well as
the comparative strength Of Spanish de-
lenses, are such that the obstacles met
With at Santiago will not be encoun-
tered General Miles himself Is in COM
mnnd, and a short and decisive cam
paign Is expected.
Thegeaeawties, which are to be prose-
cuted about the same time. will indicate
before the world and to Spain that the
uulted States has no intention of relin-
gushing in any degree Its intention 10
push the war TO finish, and II peace me-
gotiaiions are 20 come. before Spanish
power in the West indies IS entirely
wiped out, before the Philippines are
lost beyond recovery, and before Spain
s. tn be further Inundated at her own
doors, they must come from that gov
eminent Itself within a short time.
The United States lighting power is
growing In strength daily: SPANS Is
decreasing. So far short as the war has
been, II has been but a succession Of re-
verses for the arms Of spain. The coun-
try Is bankrupt, has left but the crippled
remains OF navy and has Just surreu-
dered an army corps, while the remain
der of her forces in Cuba are cut on
from the world by a blockade. and are
in starving condition. With the move
Tnent against Spain herself by power
full American beet the pick OF a navy
which has demonstrated It's superiority
In the highest degree, and the invasion
Of Puerto Rico by an army OF fresh
troops, types Of Americans who have
proven their efficiency and courage In
battle. will, OF necessity come the ell-
max OF the war,
Tho reports Of peace negotiations
which come from Spain. coupled with
boasts of Spanish honor, which has mt
yet been in evidence in the war. save In
one or two individual cases, viii have
no ehect. II spain's honor Is not YET
satisfed perhaps the United States wish.
in The next few days may assist that
country to realize che hopelessncss that
81 ever win DO satisfied.