Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-07-19
AT THE WHITE HOUSE
A Short and Unimportant Cabinet
Meeting Today.
SATISFACTION IN DEWEY'S, DISPATCH
Belief I hat There is No Friction
With German Warships.
MILES PORTO RICO PLANS

Tcday's cabinet meeting was short and
urimportant. The war field was covered
but nothing was found to alarm or distur:,
the administrat ton.
A dispatch from Admiral Dewey received
today was read and was Ii source of a
good deal of satisfaction in that 1t con-
trao1cted recent stories showing a badly
strained state Of affairs at Manila between
the Americans and Germans The dis
patch itself did not refer to the movements
OF the Germans, but the administration
finds satisfaction in the fact that the re-
pert of the American admiral was taken
to Hong Kong by German warship which
left Manila. This is regarded here as ex-
ceedlngly significant and caused some talk
10 be INDUCED in by cabinet officials Dur
ing this talk both the President and Sec
1etary Day assured the cabinet members
that nothing of a seriously aggrayattng
nature has occurred at Manila between the
American and German forces. The Presi-
dent was emphatic in saying that he has
no ioea Germany means to do anything to
provoke this country. His remarks led to
the belief that the administration has re-
oeived fresh assurances from Germany that
he" officials in the Philippines will do moth
ing to provoke this country The President
does not look forward to any clash with
Germany. He is surprised that the press
news from the Philippines continues to in
dictate friction
Inc dispatch of Admiral Dewey stated
that there was no change in the situation
since he last wired the administration.
Secretary Long said that the Monterey
would arrive at Manila about the first
week in August
No Movement for Peace
Cabinet members state that there is still
nothing to support the talk of peace Some
of them hope that there will be no further
talk of the kind unless it is founded on
facts The administration is not looking
to peace, and is preparing for months of
hghting. The feeling is growing that Spain
will remain stubborn until Havana falls.
AS the Havana campaign will not begin
until fall there will be an interval between
the inevitable capture of Porto Rico and
then When Porto Rico Is captured and
Spain holds off in r stubborn and sullen
manner more territory will have to be
sought for. Next to Porto Rico the United
States would naturally turn to the Canar-
les. between Porto Rico and Spain. These
islands are the pride of the Spanish gov
NAh'iic't. HSy CdI De captured with less
effort than Santiago Porto Rico would be-
come splendid base of supplies for
campaign against the Canarfes. A sena-
tor today said he understood that Commo-
dcre Watson, on his way to Spain, would
seize place in the Canaries for a coaling
station and leave a ship there to defend it.
With the Canaries only a. few months
away from the clutch of Uncle Sam Spain
may come to her senses and, shortly ask
for peace. If she does not the eventual
price she will pay will be the loss of every
island possession. If she should site for
peace now she would retain the Canaries
without question. . Another month or SO
and these will pass from her grasp.
Secretary Alger said at the close of the
cabinet session that General Miles had ex-
pected to leave for Porto Rico last night,
but had been unable to get away. He will
probably get away today, escorted by ships
of Admiral SIMPSONS fleet" said the Sec
rotary.
Gen. Miles Intentions.
General Alger declined to say how large
a force of men Ger eral Miles will carry
with him, but it will probably be in the
reighborhood Of 1900. General Miles in
tentions are to make landing at a place
already selected by him. He will go ashore
with his force under the protection of the
guns of the fleet. By the time he gets we'll
settled in his position ship load after ship
lead of troops will reach him from this
country. They will find a camp established
for them.
1t is said that the object of General Miles
in going ahead Is to select grounds for the
soldiers and to make all preparations for
their comfort The rush and confusion of
tEa
and men will not be sent forward without
sufficient food and supplies.
The positive statement can be made that
the army landed in Porto Rico will not be
pushed forward in haste. On the other
hand the purpose Of General Miles is to
move his army forward slowly, permitting
the men to carry with them everything
they need for comfort. They will not be
rot be thrown forward in such haste as
to resort to throwing away clothing, blank
cts, etc.
The first landing force will remain under
the protection Of the ships until large re-
Inducements have arrived. When his en-
tire army has been landed. General Miles
will give orders for full equipment and a
slow march. The campaign will begin and
end this way. The Spaniards will be driven
into San Juan slowly, but surely. If they
want to fight they will get what they de-
sire. General Miles will pick his ground
for fighting, and for camps for his troops.
A Cabinet Omcer's Views.
The possibilities of peace are rs remote
as ever, for no move whatever in that d.
rection has been made by any Of the for
eign officials here; and, despite the pitiful
condition of Spain, her pride appears to re-
strain her from making, any, direct over
lures. A cabinet official, in speaking Of
the situation today, said 1t was amazing
that Spain seemed to lack all comprehen-
sion Of her own deplorahle condition. Her
two best fleets have been wiped out. her
hold on the Philippines is practically at an
end, and now she has approved Gen. To-
rails surrender of 5000 square miles of
Cuban soil, and yet, he said, Spain seems
to take no account of her own misfortunes,
and to adopt no means to limit the extent
of her defeat and losses. Under such cir
cumstances. he said, the only thing left for
this country to do is to press on until Spain
reaches some comprehension of her own
impotence. 1t is with this end In view that
the present active steps are being taken
for further appressi,,a ha