Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1898-06-27
WASHIN0TON LETTER.
Washington, Jnne goth, 1898.

No person in Washingt on received
the news that Gen. Skaters army
was on Cuban soil with more pleasure
than did President Mckinley It is
not large army but it's large enough
to accomplish the purpose for which
it was sent; the men are splendidly
equipped and are all eager to distin-
guish themselves. 1t will require sew
eral days for Gen. Shafter to take up
a position from which aggressive OPP
erations against Santiago can be
started, but it is confidently expected
that news of crushing and decisive
blow being administered to the Span
iards will be received during the pre-
sent week. There isn't the slightest
doubt in any quarter that Shafter will
they VIII remember as soon as he can
get at them
While neither the President nor any
of his advisers believe that the Span
ish feet which left Cadiz several days
ago will dare to come to Cuban waters
its starting will hasten the capture of
Porto Rico. No chances are to be
taken. If that Spanish feet should
cross the Atlantic it would naturally
endeavor to make Porto Rico it's base
of operations. but, unless something
now unforeseen shall prevent the car
rying out of present plans, Porto Rico
will be in our possession before the
Spanish fleet can possibly arrive there.
state that the steamship companies
which own vessels suitable for the
transportation of troops are RESPONSE
bic for any delay that may occur.
They are playing hog with the Gov
eminent by refusing to charter their
vessels to carry troops, because they
wish to sell them to the Government
at fancy prices. The Government
can, of course, impress the vessels,
leaving the compensation of their
owners to be settled hereafter, but up
to this time the President has not
been disposed to resort to that method
of obtaining ships, but it may yet be-
come necessary for him to do so.
The contest over the adoption of
the joint resolution for the annexa
ton of Hawaii, which went through
the House last week by more than
two thirds vote, is now on in the SEN
ate. How long it will last depends
largely upon the endurance of the
Senators-less than thirty in number
who have started out, not to defeat
the resolution by a direct vote, brt to
prevent vote at this session of Con-
gress. There can be but one, 'end-a
vote and the adoption of the resolu-
ton. The Senate could not adjourn
even if it's members desired to- do so.
No adjournment can take place with
out the consent of the House, and the
votes of 209 Representatives for the
annexation resolution was "a notice
served on the Senate that adjourn
ment without action would never be
consented to by the House. In order
to make the work of the anti's as
hard as possible, it has been decided
that the friends of annexation shall
allow the other fellows to do all the
talking.
Although the subscriptions for the
war bonds to be issued are already
largely in excess of the amount of the
first issue-S2e0, 900, O00-one bank of
fering to take half of them at a pre-
MUM of per cent-there is no reason
for any small investor to withhold his
subscription for fear that he will not
get the bonds. Those who desire $500
or less will get them first, and it will
take lots of these small subscribers to
absorb the entire issue. So any of
your readers who wish small amounts
of these bonds at par may forward
their subscriptions, on blanks to be
obtained at any express or money
order postoffice. with confidence that
they will get the bonds.
The third expedition will leave San
Francisco for Manila this week, and
will be accompanied by Gen. Merritt.
1t is not probable that another expe-
dition will be sent until some of the
ships that carried tho first troops re-
turn, as there are no more. ships to be
had on the Pacific. 1t is believed that
the FIRST Philippine expedition has ar
riyedtatManila. AS soon as official
news of it's arrival is received, Presi
dent Mckinley intends to issue proc
lamation declaring the establishment
of military government over the
Philippine Islands. Not the slightest
apprehension exists in Washington
concerning the attitude of Germany