Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1898-07-16
HOW PEACE WILL core.
A Business Congress Courtesies Ex-
tended Reasons for Success.
lFrom our ReenIar correspondent ]

SituhLlOHs ana ne uOeSn I fntenu LndI
either talk about peace or the surreud-
er OF the Spauiards at Santiago shall
interfere with his plans. IT the de-
struction of Cervera's fleet aud the
Spanish defeats at Santiago have con
WINGED Spain that it is time to beg for
peace, she must say 50. She can ac-
complish nothing by talking peace
unofficially, nor through the interven
ton of other powers. This country
does not intend to allow any other
country to have any hand either in
obtaining peace for Spain or in ar
ranging the terms OF peace. Spain
can have the terms of peace whenever
she chooses to ask for them, and they
will not be deviated from. nor will
they be offered until they are asked
tor. Meanwhile the war is going to
be pushed. 1t is expected, at the
Navy Department that Commodore
Watson S fleet, which is going to the
coast of Spain, will get started this
week, and that, by the first of August
it will be heard from by Spain; and
the expedition against Porto Rico is
to be prosecuted with, Santiago as a
base OF supplies. Gen. Miles has
gone to Cuba to take command of the
campaign.
The War and Post Office Depart
ments have adopted system for the
improvement of the mail service OF
the soldiers. Under this system, the
quartermaster's department of the ar.
my will transport all mail within
camp to and from the point of arrival
and departure, and battalion and regi-
mental adjutants will be held respon-
sible for the correct distribution of
mail. Every military post or camp
established will be given a post Office
Immediately, with the postal superin-
tendent in charge. In short, nothing
will be left undone that will aid in
quick and constant communication
between the soldiers and their rela.
tives and friends.
Just plain statement OF what was
done at the session of Congress Just
ended, without one word OF argument,
should be amply sufficient to bring
about an increase of the Republican
majority in the next House. 1t was
business session, as we'll as a war
session. Aside from the important
war legislation, which has met every
need Of the administration and pre-
pared, so far as possible for its needs
for the next six months, and the reg
ular appropriation bills, a just and
equitable National bankrupt law was
enacted; Hawaii was annexed, and a
number of other important laws
placed upon the statute books. The
total amount appropriated by Con-
gress at the session was $500, 527, ooI,
Of which 1861 78S, oo5 was to meet the
expenses of conducting the war
against Spain.
AS a special favor to those who are
here in attendance upon the annual
convention of the National Education
al Association, Secretary Long in
structed the Commandant of the
Washington Navy Yard, which has
been closed to visitors since the war
started, to admit members of the AS
ISOLATION to the yards and shops.
Another unusual courtesy extended
to the Association was the opening of
the Congressional Library building at
night by Librarian Young. This was
the first time that the handsome
building had been open to visitors at
night.
Secretary Long gives the following
reasons for the success of the Navy in
the war-a success never equaled in
any war by any navy, involving, be-
sides individual ships captured or de-
stroyed, the complete destruction of
two Spanish fleets, that Of Admiral
Cervera having several warships that
were as fine as any of their class
afoat: First. the skill and mechani-
cal genius of our people in building
the best ships; Second, the high per-
sonnet of the Navy; Third, the tore
sight of our Naval authorities in lib
orally spending money for ammuni-
ton to he used in target practice;
Fourth, the help the Secretary of the
Navy had from the Assistant Secre-