Evening star., 1898-07-21
NO CAUSE FOR WORRY
The Administration Complacent Over the
War Outlook.
Which Might Cause
Concern Have Been Anticipated
and Guarded Against.

nave talked over various phases of the war
sitt alton with the President and his war
secretaries, the administration is in very
complacent state of mind about the future.
There are certain contingencies which
might develop to cause concern but for the
fact that they have been anticipated, and
the one most serious of all has particularly
been guarded against. The delays in the
departure of the Porto Rico expedition are
not the occasion Of as much annoyance as
might be imagined If there were an i'm
mediate prospect of peace there would be
reason for haste in getting possession of
Porto Rico. which 1t is intended shall be in
the possession Of this government when
peace is declared. but there appears no
such prospect of peace, nor are the dam
gers which at one time surrounded the
protraction of the war as much appre-
hended
Foreign Complications.
1t is said that this government is now so
situated az to render foreign complications
less probable, though they are by no
means impossible yet, and at the same
time is ready to meet any that may arise.
This readii'ess. which is understood
abroad, is Sf itself a strong admonition
to any powe" that might be disposed to
be meddlesome that it would be wiser not
to interfere. The selection of the Spanish
line to transport the Santiago prisoners
back tc Spain is regarded as Illustrating
to the whole world that we have the free
dom of the Atlantic well as of the
Pacific ocean, and feel that we have moth
ing to fear. 1t Is thought that this will
prove valuable object lesson.
Spain, with her fleet destroyed and una
bic either to render assistance to. her
armies in Cuba, the Philippines or in
Porto Rico, to interfere with American
commerce on the seas, must appeal to all
the world, 1t is assumed, as being entirely
al cur mercy, while we can move deliber-
ately o. with haste, as we choose, in the
further prosecution of the war.
Benefits of Delay.
Such situation has now developed that
prolongation of the war, instead of in
creasing the danger of foreign ~compica-
tions, as at first 1t seemed likely to do.
merely increases our preparation and our
strength to deal with any emergency that
may arise in the future. 1t is said that
the administration realizes that whatever
complication may arise it will not appear
Until the time when begins the settlement
which must follow the termination OF hos
tilities. As long we are not discussing
terms of peace and the policy of This gov
ernment in dealing with the captured ter
ritory is in doubt there can be no excuse
for any foreign government to attempt an
interference The Idea that there will be
any interference on the part of a foreign
power with the operations of our fleet in
the Spanish waters is not entertained. The
right of nation to carry a war home TO
peace is too well recognized to admit of
any interference by power which wishes
to remain neutral. The Watson squadron
is going TO be mads strong enough and be
we'll enough supplied with coal and war
material to discourage any interference Of
hostile character
Operations of WatsOn's Vessels.
The nature of the operations to be un-
dertaken by this feet has not been dis
closed, and 1t is not likely. therefore, that
these operations will be anticipated by
Protest from any ore. AS far as our deal
ings with Spain are concerned there is no
sort of apprehension for the future. The
inevitable result is clearly In sight, with
nothing to consider except the length of
time it may take to bring the war to a
conclusion.
Danger From Germany.
The danger point, as respects the possi-
biiity of foreign interference, is recognized
to be the Philippines, and from Germany
alcne is anything to be apprehended. Ea ach
day that the settlement of the Philippine
question is delayed is believed to lessen this
danger. The members of the adminstra-
ton will not confess to feeling of appre-
hension as to the attitude of the German
naval commander at Manila, but it is
known that 1t Is regarded with great
watchfulness, and that there is being more
thought given to that subject Just now
than TO the question of when and how
Spain is going to sue for peace.
The arrival of further reinforcements ct
Manila and the belief that the Monterey
has arrived are source of great satisfac-
ton to the administration. The strength
of Admiral Deweys forces and develop
ments probable within the next few weeks
are expected to relieve danger of any
trouble with Germany, if no serious trouble
occurs in the meantime.