Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1898-07-28
NO ATTACK ON SPAIN.
WatsOn's Mission Will Be Solely to
Destroy Camara's Fleet.
High OmoIal Gives Significant Information
About War Plans-Havana Campaign
to wnIt--Cuba ours for Years
Porto Rico ana Philippine


Washington, July GA significant
statement was made to the Associated
press yesterday by one in position to
speak with knowledge and authority
as to the plans of the administration
with reference to future war opera"
tions. In substance the statement was
as follows:
WatsOn VIII Not Bombard Spanish CItIos.
Commodore Watson, in proceeding to the
Spanish peninsula as soon ms the Porto Rican
expedition is under way, IN not TO lombard
the cities on the Spanish coast. No such idea
OF the bombnrdment of the coast is enter
tanned. While there may be other incidental
purposes the main mission Of Watson is to
take care Of Camara's feet The movement Of
this fleet and the fears and apprehension
caused by reports concerning 1t are TO be
stopped for all time The ships under CumarA
will be located by Watson and finally met and
engaged The talk occasionally INDUCED In rs
to the Canary islands is utterly without foun-
dalton, This government has no plan to take
these islands and does not want them
No Attack on Havana Until Fall.
Despite popular expectation that Porto Rico
opera lions will be followed Immediately by nc
ton against Havana, 1t can be said that Ha-
vana win not be attacked while yellow fever
conditions exist This Is certain 1t would be
the height OF national folly TO engage our troops
| in and about the fever pest hole Consequently
1t will be left until the climate lends It's aid in
the autumn. Shafter will hold his own In the
eastern strip now surrendered, may gradually
push his way over some other districts and II
there should be any particular need OF imme-
diate aggressive action at any point will move
against 1t, but Havana will be left until yellow
fever dangers are past
Must Decide Important Quotations
Meantime In the next two months there will
be enough to keep this government busy We
will have to cope with the most serious prob
lens yet of providing for the government and
the future OF the lands involved In this war.
The hauling down OF the Spanish flag and the
hosting OF that Of the United States means
more than on its face, it indicates to the pop
ular mind No more important matter is ia
engage the attention OF the government than
the details to be arranged for the disposition
control or temporary possession pending final
transfer OF possession OF these additions Ia
our domain. There are questions Of the most
| intricate and far-reaching character to be de-
| cided.
The Destiniea OF New Accusations
Porto Rico, whose fall is liable to be re-
corded within week or ten days, will have tC
have military government Porto Rico, Of
course Is to be kept permanently by this gov
eminent, but there must be military govern
ment first and many preliminary details will
have to be worked out There must be u re-
Mobilization of existing systems OF govern
ment where we have carried our arms, an(
while local schemes and conditions will form
the basis OF general system for the control O
the land, there must be numerous changes
abolishing such laws us may be oppressive
Laws will have to be very thoroughly gont
over and the tariff system revised in some way
but in general and as far as possible the sys
TEN of government which now exists is to b.
followed.
Next winter, however when congress con
venes the necessity for laws covering sucl
matters will be recognized by recommends
tions to congress to that end and TO be sub
mitted by the president and IL Is very probable
the shaping of the destinies OF Porto Rico AM
similar circumstanced acCessons will be lef
TO commission or commissions to be appoint
ed to draft the laws ny adoption by congress
The government is likely to be busy from nov
on considering all these matters Of govern
mental detail
LadrOnes to BE Permanently Retained.
1t is certainty as far as now can be foreseel
that Guam, tho island in the Lalrone groul
that was captured by this government, will b.
permanently retained us coaling and suppl
station For these purposes 1t is valuable iron
its location between the Sandwich and TIN
Philippine islands, and on the point whethe
the rest of them will be kept / am not sure
They may be and they may not be- The dis
position of the Philippines is unsettled and de
ponds upon circumstances,
The PerpIexlng Cuban Problem.
AS to the attitude Of Garcia and the insur
gents In Cuba there is no change In our inten
lion This government has not been misled II
its estimate of these forces With the oppres
sive hand Spain has put on them so long, con
tending against the conditions imposed by in
justice and oppression, there would have beef
little expectation Of greater abilities than ar
now shown by them This government will
have to treat them kindly, but firmly. It ha
made pledge to establish o firm and stabl
government and that must be carried out