Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1898-10-27
Our Washington Letter.
WASHINGTON, d. c., Oct. "a, '9s.

There is growing belief here among
men well posted, that the sensational
charges OF inefiiciency Of army officers
and lack of preparation and resources
on the part of the War Department are
affecting the peace negotiations between
the American and Spanish Commission
ers in Paris. 1t seems that the Spaniards
have decided that they made mistake
in conceeding too soon that they were
defeated. 1t is also known that they
desire if possible to delay the conclusion
of the negotiations until after the con-
gressional elections, hoping that should
and the president find himself confronted
by hostile majority in that body, they
will be able to secure better terms.
There is no question that the utterances
of the democratic speakers and the
course Of democratic leaders in the pres
ent campaign is becoming seriously en-
barrassing to the American commission
ers in Paris.
Attention has before been called in
these columns to the embarrassment that
would come to the Administration by
the election of hostile House. 1t
would be utterly impossible in the brief
life OF short session to settle the many
important questions arising out of the
results Of the Spanish war. and as at
present constituted the senate can be
counted on to cause delay and trouble
wherever the democrats, populists and
free silver forces imagine they can score
political advantage or put the republi-
cans in hole"
Ordinarily, too, the appropriation bills
are about all that can be successfully
handled during a short session. Per-
haps under the present business like
system of the House more could be &C.
complished, but it needs but super
fetal knowledge Of national legislation
to know that in the senate haste is rare.
There is already much speculation as
to the probability of an extra session
with leaning to the belief that it will
be found necessary. 1t would probably
avail nothing and very likely not be
called if the House is hostile to the ad-
ministration. On the eve of presiden-
tial contest it would, under such circum-
stances, degenerate into struggle for
partizan advantage to the detriment of
all interests demanding, action. 1t is
the unanimous opinion of republican
leaders that an extra session should be
avoided, if possible and certainly if the
opposition controls the House. AL! our
interests, both internal and foreign de-
mand republican House in the Fifty
sixth congress.
Porto Rico is now formally and de
facto part of the United States and the
process of recognizing its government
is going on under military supervision.
1t has so far been the policy to utilize
the old machinery as much as possible
and make few changes except for cause
and in the interests of justice and econ
omy. The currency question promises
to cause some vexation and the Assistant
Secretary of the Treasury is now on his
way to examine into the existing con-
ditions and study out plan to bring
Porto Rician finances into harmony with
those of the United States. Their cur
rency is now Spanish silver circulating
at rate slightly in advance of its bull.
lion value. The question will be to
substitute for this American money at
an equatible exchange.
It has developed that Blanco and his
advisers had planned a shrewd move to
save Cuba to Spain. This was nothing
less than to proclaim republic with
Blanco as dictator, secure recognition as
belligerents form Mexico and other
Spanish American republics and then
wait an opportune time to return the
island to the control of the Spanish
crown Trusted emmisaries were sent
to secure the proper recognition from
several Central and South American
governments together with Mexico.
The attempt would probably have been
made but for the sudden destruction of
Cervera's fleet, the capture of Santiago
and the signing of the protocol. 1t was
a shrewd scheme and would have caused
the United States much trouble could
projectors have had very little more