The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-07-21
SPAIN MUST Be INVADED
PEOPLE DO NOT KNOW
THEY HAVE BEEN BEATEN
Premier Sagasta Wants Peace, but
Dares Not Voice His Sentiments
Capture of Cadiz Would End
the War-POrtO Rican Occupa-
-WntsOn's Powerful Squadron.

the War-POrtO Rfcan Occupa-
tiOn Simply n Preliminary Step
-Watson's Powerful Squadron.
Washington Bureau st. Paul G lobe,
Corcoran Building
WASHINGTON, July 2O.-(special)
Spain is to be invaded-if war rumors
| in official circles are worthy of cred
ence-and they have been in the past,
almost without failure. 1t is all the
talk here today that the government
| has about decided that it will be neces-
sary to teach the Spaniards a lesson
on their own soil, at home. The theory
is that the Spaniards in Spain do not
know that they have been beaten.
They are taught by the representatives
of the ruling dynasty that the Ameri-
cans are being slaughtered by the
| brave Spaniards In Cuba and in the
Philippines, and so persistent have
| these Spanish agents been that they
are beginning to credit their own mis-
| statements. The annihilation of Mon-
tojo's squadron in Manila bay, and the
| crushing of Cervera's fleet at Santiago
have been reported to the Spanish peo-
pie as great victories achieved by the
| has been surrendered, with the consent
and by the advice of the Madrid gov
ernment, the Spanish general, Toral, so
the Spanish people are informed, is to
be court martialed. The Spanish gov
ernment dare not assume responsibility
for the defeat of it's army in Eastern
Cuba.
SAGASTA WANTS PEACE.
There seems to be no doubt that
Senior SagaSta is desirous Of terminal
ing the hopeless struggle as quickly as
possible, but he is restrained by the
ruling power, which dare not let the
people know how hopeless Spain's cause
is for fear of an uprising that will
overthrow the present dynasty and
place upon the Spanish throne the Car
list pretender. With the present
dynasty anything is preferable to that,
and the diplomats of the world as we'll
as the United States government, have
so figured out the situation. Little else
was talked about In official circles to-
day, save the Porto Rico expedition,
and even that was made secondary to
the proposed sending Of Commodore
Watson, with a powerful fleet, to the
coast of Spain. 1t is argued that the
shelling Of Cadiz would quickly terIni-
nate the war. The Spanish people
would thus realize the actual situa-
tion, and demand peace at any price.
WATSON CAN SOLVE IT.
It is said that the government has
given the question of invasion Of Spain
proper the most careful consideration
There Is an earnest desire in the cabi
net that nothing be done that wo'E !
be calculated to disturb existing friend
ly relations between the United States
and European powers. 1t is believed
here that the invasion of Spanish
waters by an American fleet Of war
ships will not be received with delight
by any of the foreign powers save, per-
haps, Great Britain. There are 1T is
true, none to dispute the perfect right
Of the United States to make war upon
Spain in her own fair way, but the
government, it is said, is desirous Of
avoiding everything that will give even
a pretext for foreign suggestion~of in
reference. Now, however, it is said
the conclusion that the better way to
solve the problem of convincing Spain
that she is hopelessy beaten is to send
Commodore Watson over, with a pow
erful squadron. and let him finish the
Job so well begun in Cuba. And the
quicker it is done the better, is the
way it IS being put here.
PORTO RICO INCIDENTAL
So far as hurrying peace overtures
is concerned, Porto Rico is regarded
here as incidental. The government
is anxious to complete investment Of
that piece of Spanish territory, as soon
as possible, in order that 1t will be in
position to dictate terms Of settlement
with Spain, when the peace negotia-
tions are opened. With Shafter at
Santiago, Dewey and Merritt at Ma
nila, Miles in Porto Rico and Watson
at Cadiz, there will be every induce
ment for the Spaniards to sue for
peace, and be reasonable in their re-
quests for settlement Not that the
Porto Rico expedition is being belit-
tied On the contrary, the expedition
is to be far more formidable than was
that sent to conquer Eastern Cuba.
An army Of as many as $4,000 men will
be furnished, If needed, to make the
conquest speedy and complete.
AN EYE ON HAVANA.
It is also stated here today that the
government has an eye on Havana
and Gen. Blanco. The American troops
now in Cuba will move gradually west
ward, and, unless there is settlement
of differences between America and
Spain before such campaign becomes
necessary, the troops that marched
triumphantly into Santiago and raised
the Stars and Stripes over that city
may do something similar at Havana.
That Gen. Skaters arny-at least the
greater portion of twill remain in
Cuba, now seems to be a settled fact.
The reduction of the stronghold over
which Gen. Blanco now holds sway is
regarded as a task that will require
time and patience, and, perhaps, sac
rifices-but if it becomes necessary
to take Havana. it will be taken. re-
gardless of the cost. So say those who
ought to know.