The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-07-20
The Porto RIcnn Expedition.

The movement Of troops to Porto Rico
is being FASTENED in every possible way.
Ii was announced in our dispatches yes
teriay that Gen. Miles was already on his
way there.
one reason. and probably the chief one,
why there is such haste to capture Porto
Rico. is that Spain as likely TO sue for
peace any day. The beginning of peace
negotiations would check military opera
ions. Military operations would be re-
sumed. Of course If negotiations should
not be successful, but the chances are
uat when Spain sues for peace the end
Of the war will have about been reached,
1t Is true that IN settlement made be
fore The capture of that island we could in
sist upon being given the possession of it,
but our chances Of getting permanent con
troll of il would be- much better if We
should occupy It before any steps looking
toward peace We're taken.
Another feature Of the situation is that
with Porto Rico in our possession We
would be in a better position to exact
war indemnity, which would come some
where near the cost of the war TO US,
than ii peace negotiations should be be
gun now. With Porto Rico we would be
in actual possession of Spanish territory
Of great value. We haven't the Philippines
yet, though there is no doubt that we shall
take possession Of them just as soon as
Gen. Merritt arrives there with his army.
As for Cuba, we have solemnly declared
that we do not intend that that island
shall be added 70 our territory, though it
is highly PROBABLE that in the course of
time it will be under our flag.
AS the situation now presents itself,
therefore, the possession of Porto Rico is
very important to us We want to have
control of it when Spain asks for peace,
and we want to make sure of driving
Spain out of the West Indies and away
from this side of the Atlantic.
We have not, of course. adopted any
policy in respect to the territory captured
from Spain, bur 1t is pretty certain that
if We take Porto Rico we shall retain il.
The island would be of great benefit 10
us from both a naval and a commercial
standpoint. Its commerce amounts TO
about S360OO.O00 a year, of which the Unit
Gtt states StA d niue more ttidi ~ iCl
cent. They ought to have nearly all Of
it, and viii have when it comes under
their jurisdiction.
1t is not believed that it will be a DIFF
fcult task TO capture the island. There
is great need there now of supplies of
food and ammunition. The defenses of
San Juan, the capital, are not particular
ly strong The fact that Spain cannot
help the Spanish garrison there, together
with the destruction of Admiral Cervera' 5
squadron and the surrender of Gen. To
RAILS army, viii have a very dampening
effect upon Spanish officers and soldiers
who are expected to defend the island.
Knowing how impossible il is to make a
successful defense they will likely surren-
der after making a show of resistance.
Another reason probably why the gov
eminent is vigorously pushing forward the
expedition TO Porto Rico is the belief that
with the surrender or that island Spain
would sue for peace at once. The govern
ment is anxious TO bring the war to an
end as quickly as possible. and therefore
1t would not be surprising if Porto Rico
should he under our flag before the end OF
this month.