Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-07-18
Preparations for a Vigorous Prosecu-
tion of the War.
EARLY PLANS TO Be CARRIED OUT
Spain's Pride Still a Bar to Me-
gotiations.
THE PRESIDENTS POSITION

demonstrate that the administration has
not seriously contemplated early peace as q
probability. Forward and force the fight
ing" is the general cry. Men who think
they know something of the feeling Of the
President in the matter say that express
sions favorable to peace which have eman-
ated from the White House have had no
significance beyond an expression of an
ever-present desire that the war shall be
terminated as soon as it can be on terms
entirely satisfactory to this country. 1t
does not mean, they say, that this govern
ment is waiting anxiously to consider any
sort of overtures that Spain may make
The prompt and firm refusal of the Presi-
dent to permit the surrenderiEg Spanish at
Santiago to take their arms and the order
to Gen Shafter to perni. of go further
parleying is pointed to as an evidence that
the President is not disposed to consider
anythi. g but complete subjection on the
part o. Spain to terms which this govern
ment may dictate. 1t is not believed that
the President is disposed to insist upon
harsh terms, but whatever the terms are
they I. st be entirely at the will of this
government. There is no evidence yet that
Spain Is in a frame of mind to look the sit
uation squarely in the face and accept the
inevitable, and preparations are being made
to prosecute the war in a manner to i'm
press upon Spain her entire helplessness.
What Generosity Means.
When the time comes for Spain to throw
herself upon our mercy. suing for peace. it
is believed that the President will be dis
posed TO be as generous as the circum-
stances admit of. But 1t is expected that
this generosity will be expressed in the
lishtness of the indemnity demanded and
net in the restoration to Spanish control
territory which she has lost in the war. 1t
is pointed out a restoration of Porto Rico
or the Philippines to Spain would be
sacrifice of the people of those islands
rather than of the interests of this govern
ment. and 1t is not likely that we will be
generous with an enemy at the expense of
other people. A war of humanity, having
for its object the freedom of Cuba, it is be-
heved, will not be terminated without some
regard being given to the claim upon our
humanity by the people of the Philippines.
Since the fall of Santiago and the agitation
in Europe of the subject of peace the
question has occupied considerable discus
sion among leading men in Congress,
whose views are respected by the admins
tration, and in one way or another these
views have come to the attention of the
ISsAOSiil fAS Lar dS Call De lctlThGh thS
President has not expressed himself on the
subject to any one, but, judging from small
things, the conclusion has been reached by
those who have been trying to arrive at as
coed an understanding of the situation as
possible. that the President is disposed to
take a broad view of the whole question
of the war and it's results and TO give the
broadest scope to the humane principle
which has been the inspiration Of this war.
1t is believed that he realizes that the best
results cannot be obtained by making sac
rifices to the end that the war may be
speedily terminated, but that more will be
accomplished for mankind by extending
free institutions to every spot where the
American flag has been raised.
The Possession of Territory.
The expressions of opinion by leading
men, both in public interviews and in pri-
yate, show a disagreement as to the ad-
visibility of this country holding perma-
nent possession of remote territory, but
there has been almost universal agreement
that the islands should be given free and
independent government where it Is posi-
Bile rather than that they should be re-
stored to Spain. 1t Is believed that the only
territory the administration desires to hold
possession of is that of Porto Rico, and the
object of that is not to acquire more terri
tory, but to protect ourselves from the too
close neighborhood of Spanish sovereignty.
Beyond that il Is O. question of what condi-
tions demand. If a free government can
be established over the Philippines 1t is be-
ieved that will be done. 1t is not thought,
however, that Spain can profit by the disin-
clination of this government to extend it's
possessions into the orient, but that, as far
"a N is he will hav tn
make up her mind to the loss of the Philip
pines as certainly as IL We desired their
possession. 1t is believed, therefore, that
whatever may be the policy of this gov:
ernment as to the disposition OF territory
taken in the war, Spain will be given no
voice in the matter.
No Prospect of Peace.
From this point of view there appears
no prospect of peaes from the statement
quoted from Spanish cabinet officers as to
the nature of overtures they are making
or propose to make. All that is being done
here is in the direction of prosecuting the
war with greater vigor. The Santiago cam
paign was deviation from tho general
plan of campaign adopted when the war
was begun. 1t was rendered necessary by
the presence of the Cervera feet In SAN
tiago harDor. The operations assumed an
Importance not at first contemplated, and
the results are much more sweeping, but
the general plan of the war remains to
be carried out, and the information as to
the contemplated operations show that the
plan has not been materially changed. The
transportation of a large army to the Phil
ippines has proceeded without interruption,
according to original designs; the Watson
fleet Is being hurried as fast as possible to
begin operations in Spanish waters, and
| the expedition against Porto Rico will move
as soon as 1t can be got ready.
The war board has been engaged since
the arrival of Gen. Brooke in considering
| the organization of the troops for the Por-
| to Rico expedition. The naval part of the
expedition is ready to start at any time,
and 1t remains only to select the troops
and get them on transports The selection
OF the volunteer troops has been left to
Gen. Brooke. There are 100000 volunteers,
and not more than 20,o00 are to go on this
| expedition. The matter OF selection, IN
| view of the demands to go, Is, therefore,
| difficult.