The sun., 1898-05-27
Gigantic Plan of Attack.
Dispatch to The Sun,

Special Dispatch to The Sun.
WASHINGTON, May 26.-In Congress
sional circles the greatest interest is
taken in the proposition to invade Porto
Rico and to make three simultaneous
moves.
The action of the Administration in
calling for additional troops and the de-
termination that tho occupation OF the
Philippines and Porto Rico shall be
simultaneous with, if it does not pre-
cede, the capture of Cuba meets, with
very general approval:
A large number OF men from each
house OF Congress visited the Depart
ments today, and there was great activ-
ity, especially at the War Department.
I he visits of statesmen related very
largely to the military appointments
which will result from the call for 7o,-
600 additional troops, but some OF the
visitors came for M other purpose than
to express their satisfaction at the deter
mination to press the war. vigorously at
the three points, and nearly everybody
expressed approval.
It is quite definitely understood now
that no opportunity is to be given Spain
W NltIuldN HUN phS "ui NioA AAo oS-'N-
loss than that Of Cuba
Very few men in public life question
the advsability OF holding the Phillip
pines and OF forever putting an end to
Spanish possession and influence IN the
West Indies also.
All eyes appear to be thrned towards
the Philippines as point OF vital I'M
portance, affecting the future OF tie
United States as a nation. The liberia
tion of Cuba is looked Upon as affecting
little else than the we'll being of that is
land, its future, and in no broad and
general way affecting the future OF this
Government. ,
The capture of Porto Rico is looked
upon as necessity to put an end to the
baneful Spanish influence in the West
Indies and to erable this Government to
maintain the Integrity OF the Monroe
doctrine tand to exercise its influence to
maintain government on the independ-
ent island and to promote and secure
? commerce.
But the possession OF the Philippines
may affect our own future. There seems
to be a sentiment in all influential
quarters, without regard to party in
liNOT Vi tlc pullCy vi ga APniIAlAS WY III
fuence of this Government and cultivat-
ing the closest relations with Great
Britain.
The invasion Of Porto Rico, as stated
in these dispatches yesterday, is to be
made as speedily as possible, and the
American flag is expected to wave over
that island before the evacuation OF
Cuba by the Spanish.
1t is well understood that Spain,
realizing that her sovereignty over Cuba
cannot be maintained, would hail with
satisfaction any excuse OF evacuatng
that island before any OF her other
possessions were lost.
Reliable information is. possessed that
the Spanish representatives at the courts
of some of the foreign Powers are tenta-
lively broaching the subject of the lnfiu-
ence OF the Powers being exerted to con-
fine the operations of the United States if
Cuba is evacuated.
4. 1t is believed that if large invading
army were landed in Cuba and our mill
tary and naval operations directed solely
against that island it would speedily be
surrendered, if by the surrender Spain
could retain possession of Porto Rico
and the Philippines. 1t is not the in
tenton of this Government, however,
to proceed in that manner When
Havana falls Porto Rico and the Philip
pines are expected to be in the posses
sion of the United States.