The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1898-07-21
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.
WASHINGTON, D. c., July IS. 1898


probably be on the way to Spain be-
fore this is printed, and the expedi-
ton against Porto Rico will be started
at the earliest possible moment. Ha-
vana is to be left alone for the time
being, as the delay is daily weakening
the effectiveness of Blanco's troops.
Gen. Skaters great victory in the
capture of Santiago and $4,000 Span
ish troops, with their arms and am
munition, would have caused much
more rejoicing had it not been accom-
panied 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 reports indicate that the fever
is so far of mild type, but there will
be much uneasiness until the full ex-
tent of the infection becomes known.
The War Department is perfecting
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
possible thing to do with them. 1t
will be cheaper than feeding them
and keeping them as prisoners, either
in Cuba or in the .. 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 a 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 a head of great executive
ability can create in an emergency.
1t is difficult to Great an army, equip
it and move lit, and it requires pecu-
liar kind of ability
The total amount of subscriptions
to the war bonds was 81, 3G5, 900. 600.
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 citizens, to loan the govern
ment one billion, three hundred and
sIxty-tive million dollars, at three per
cent. interest, will be more fully APP
preciated in Europe than among our
selves,-we required no such proof of
patriotism of our people. President
Mckinley is much pleased to know
that the entire issue of bonds will 90
to individuals, not one of whom will
get more than $4,000, and that almost
half of the 100000, 600 will go out in
lots of $500 or less. 1t is a popular
loan sure enough.
AS an additional proof that Ameri-
cans always keep near the head of the |
procession, whether they were engag-
ed in fighting with deadly weapons
or IN the struggle for the almighty
dollar, it may be mentioned that ap-
pllcations for authority to establish
National banks in the following places
nave been filed at the Treasury De-
partment Honolulu, Havana, San
Juan, Porto Rico and Manila.
a Washington delegation of the
Red Cross Society made a thorough
personal investigation of the arrange
ment for the comfort of the sick and |
wounded in the hospital at Fortress
Monroe and report all patients COM
fortably provided for in the way of
accommodations. To meet the need,
the Red Cross has issued an appeal
for contributions of delicacies for the |
patients.
Gen. Miles added much to his popu-
larity by giving Gen. Shafter entire
credit for the victorious campaign |
against Santiago, in his official dis
patches to Secretary Alger, and proved |
that he meant exactly what he said |
when he went to Cuba, that he was
going to make observations, and not |
to supercede Gen. Shafter.
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 sufficiency of negotia-
lions with Spain, and is not likely to |
countenance 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 be no occasion for any ne.
gotiations; the terms must be either
accepted or rejected at once The
cto taO,apt that Prasi6ap+ Max i,,Ia1,