The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1898-07-22
Washington Letter.
From our regular Correspondent. l


President Mckinley has the whip
hand of the situation, and he doesn't
intend that either talk about peace or
the surrender of the Spaniards at San
tiago shall interfere with his plans.
Ii the destruction of Cervera's fleet
and the Spanish defeats at Santiago
have convinced Spain that it is time
to beg for peace, she must say so. She
can accomplish nothing by talking
peace unotficlally, nor through the in
tervention of other powers. This
country does not intend to allow any
otner 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 thev
will not be deviated from, nor will
they be offered until they are asked
for. Meanwhile the war is going to be
pushed. 1t is expected, at the Navy
Department that Commodore Wat
sons 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 ex-
pedition against Porto Rico is to be
prosecuted with Santiago as a base of
supplies. Gen. Miles is in Cuba to
take command of the campaign.
The War and Post Office Depart
ments have adopted system for the
improvement of the mail service to
the soldiers. Under this system, the
quartermaster's department OF the
army will transport all mail within
camp to and from the point of arrival
and departure, and battalion and regi-
mental adjutants will be held response
BILE for the correct distribution of mail.
Every military post or camp establish
ed will be given post office immedi-
ately, with postal superintendent in
charge. In short, nothing will be left
undone that will aid in quick and con-
stant communication between the
soldiers and their relatives 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 war ses-
sion. Aside from the important war
legislation, which has met every need
of the administration and prepared, so
tar as possible for it's needs for the
next six months, and the regular ap-
preparation bills, just and equitable
National bankrupt law was enacted;
Hawal1 was annexed, and a number of
other important laws placed upon the
statute books The total amount ap-
propriated by Congress at the session
was $892, ,527 ,991, of which 1851 1885,
O95 was to meet the expenses of con-
Quoting the war against Spain.
Secretary Long gives the following
reasons for the success OF the Navy in
the war-a success never equalled in
any war by any navy, involving, be-
sides individual ships captured or de-
stoyed. the complete destruction of
two Spanish fleets, that of Admiral
Cervera having several warships that
were as fine as any of their class ahoat
First, the skill and mechanical genius
of our people in building the best
ships; Second, the high personnel of
the navy; Third, the foresight of our
Naval authorities in literally spend
ing money for ammunition to be used
in target practice; Fourth, the belp
the Secretary of the Navy had from
the Assistant Secretary and the bureau
chiefs. 1t will be remembered that
Theodore Roosevelt, who has just been
promoted from 1t. Col. to Col. for gal
lantry in action before Santias o, was
the Assistant Secretary of the navy
until after the fighting began. Secre-
tary Long said of his bureau chiefs:
"When the Navy Department saw
that war was approaching, the bureau
chiefs were called together and told
they would be held personally respou-
sible for the efficiency of their various
departments. Every reasonable amount
of supplies was given them, and they
were told that the Navy must be put
in thorough condition. Not enough
credit has been given to these men,
who made success possible by having
the navy prepared"
President Mckinley has named as
Commissioners to recommend to Con-
gress needed legislation concerning
Hawaii, our new possession, Senators
Cullom and Morgan, members OF the
Senate Committee on Foreign Rela-
tions; Represen tative Hit, Chairman
of the House Committee on Foreign
Affairs, and Sanford P. Dole, President
tbo uowo;;an Renuhlic and w. r.