Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1898-07-23
ON TO PORTO RICO AND SPAIN.
Spanish Prisoners TO be Sent to
Spain War Bonds-No Terms of
Peace Vet.
(From our Regular Correspondent)

From Our Regular Correspondent
! WASHINGTON, July IS.--On to Por-
to Rico and on to Spainl are now
the twin watchwords OF President Nc
Kinley and his administration. Com
modore Watson's fleet will probably
be on the way to Spain before this is
printed, and the expedition against
Porto Rico will be started at the earli-
est possible moment. Havana is to
be left alone for the time being, as the
delay is daily weakening the effec-
tiveuess of Blanco's troops.
Gen. Skaters great victory in the
capture of Santiago and $4,000 Span
ISL troops, with their arms and am
munition, would have caused much
more rejoicing had it not been accom-
panied by the news that the yellow
fever had broken ont in our army at
Santiago. Everything that money
and science and medical skill can do
to stamp out the disease is being done.
and the reports indicate that the fe-
yer is so far of mild type. but there
will be much uneasiuess until the full
extent of the injection becomes
known.
The War Department is perfecting
arrangements to send the Spaniards,
who surrendered at Santiago. back to
Spain, under parole, in accordance
with the terms Of surrender. and they
will be hurried off as soon as possible
Sending them to Spain is the best
possible thing to do with them. 1t
will be cheaper than feeding them
and keeping them as prisoners. either
in Cuba or in the United States, and
even If it wasn't it would still be the
best way to get rid of them.
Secretary Alger is very proud OF q
letter he has received from a gentle
man who held high command in the
Union army during the Civil war and
who has world wide reputation as
an authority on military matters.
The tenor OF the letter may be judged
from this extract: "You have shown
the world what American staff depart
ments under head of great execu-
tive ability can create in an emer-
gency. 1t is difficult to create an
army, equip it and move it, and it re-
quires peculiar kind of ability"
The total amount of subscriptions
to the war bonds was 81, 36s, ooo, 900,
and would doubtless have been twice
as large had not the certainty that
they would not get any prevented
many large financial concerns from
offering to take big blocks of the
bonds. The meaning of this offer of
our own citizens to loan the Govern
ment one billion, three hundred and
sixty-five million dollars, at three per
cent interest, will be more fully APP
preciated in Europe than among our
selves-we require no such proof of
the patriotism of our people. Presi-
dent Mckinley is much pleased to
know that the entire issue of bonds
will goto individuals, not one of whom
will get more than S., 600, and that
almost halt of the 5000 900, 600 will go
out in lots OF $500 or less. 1t is pop
ular loan sure enough.
AS an additional proof that Ameri-
cans always keep near the head of the
procession, whether they are engaged
in fighting with deadly weapons or in
the struggle for the almighty dollar,
it may be mentioned that applications
for authority to establish National
banks in the following places have
been filed at the Treasury Depart
ment: Honolulu, Havana, San Juan,
Porto Rico, and Manila.
A Washington delegation OF the
Ked cross society made thorough
personal investigation of the arrange
ment tor the comfort OF the sick and
wounded in the hospital at Fortress
Monroe and report all patients COM
fortably provided for in the way of ac-
commodations. To meet a need, the
Red Cross has issued an appeal for
contributions of delicacies for the pa
tents.
Gen. Miles added much to his pop
ularity by giving Gen. Shafter entire
credit for the victorious campaign
against Santiago, in his official dis
patches to Secretary Alger, and proved
that he meant exactly what he said
when he went to Cuba, that he was