The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-07-23

Washington, July ga significant
statement was made to the Associated
Press today by a gentleman in a po-
sition TO speak with authority, with
reference to future war preparations.
In substance the statement was as fol-
lows:
Commodore Watson, in proceeding to
the peninsula as soon as the Porto
Rico expedition is gotten under way,
| is not to lombard the cities on the
| Spanish coast. No such idea of bonn
bardment of the coast is entertained.
| While there may be other incidental
purposes, the main mission of Watson
is to take care of Camara's fleet. The
movement of this fleet. and the fears
and apprehensions caused by reports
concerning it are to be stopped for all
time. The ships under Camara will
be located by Watson. finally met and
engaged. The talk occasionally in
dulged in as to the Canary islands is
utterly without foundation. This gov
eminent has no plan to take the is
lands and does not want them.
Despite popular expectation that the
Porto Rico operations will be followed
Immediately by action against Ha-
vana, it can be said that Havana Will
not be attacked while yellow fever con-
ditiOnS exist. This is certain. It
would be the height of folly to en-
gage our troops in and about the fever
pesthole. Consequently it will be left
until the climate lends its aid in the
autumn. Shafter viii hold his own in
the eastern strip now surrendered, and
may gradually push his way over some
other districts, and if there should be
any particular need of immediate ag-
gressive action at any point, will move
against il; but Havana will be left
until yellow fever dangers are past.
a SERIOUS PROBLEM.
Meantime, in the next two months
there will be enough TO keep this gov
eminent busy. We will have to cope
with the most serious problem 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 the United
States flag means more than on it's
face indicates to the popular mind. No
more important matter is to engage
the attention of the government than
the details to be arranged for the dis
position, control or temporary possess
sion, pending final transfer or posses
sion, of these additions to our domain.
There are questions of the most intri-
cate and far-reaching character to be
decided. Porto Rico, whose fall is
likely to be recorded within q week or
ten days. will have to have a military
government. Porto Rico, of course. is
to be kept permanently by this gov
eminent, but this must be a military
government first and many preliminary
details will have to be worked out
There must be a rehabilitation of ex-
listing systems of government where
we have carried our erms, and while
local schemes and conditions will form
the basis of the general system for the
control of the land, there must be nu-
merous changes, abolishing such laws
as may be oppressive. Laws will have
to be very thoroughly gone over
and the tariff system revised in
some way, but in general. and
as far as possible. the system or
government which now exists is to be
All this means work of the
most serious character, and in the alb
sence of existing laws TO govern such
the president has to go ahead
on his own responsibility. Next win
ter, however. when congress conveneS.
the necessity for laws covering such
matters will be recognized by recon-
mendations to congress to that end. to
be submitted by the president, and it
IS very probable the shaping of the
destinieS of Porto Rico and similarly
accessiOns will be left
to commission or commissions, to be
appointed to draft the laws for adOp-
ton by congress. The government is
likely to be busy from now on, consid-
erinS all these matters of governmental
detail.
POSSESSION OF LADRONES.
1t is a certainty, as far as now can be
foreseen. that Guam, the island in the
Ladrone group that was captured by
his government, will be permanently
ar nd -fa
ton. For these purposes it is valuable
rom its location between the Sandwich
and Philippine islands, but on the point
If whether the rest of them will be
Kept, am not sure. They may be, and
hey may not be.
The disposition of the Philippines is
unsettled. and depends upon circum-
stances.
As TO the attitude of Garcia and the
Insurgents in Cuba, there is no change
n our intention. This government has
lot been misled in it's estimate of the
orces. With the oppressive hand Spain
las put on them so long, contending
against the conditions imposed by in
Justice and oppression, there would
lave been little expectation of greater
Utilities than are now shown by them.
This government will have to treat
hem kindly, but firmly. 1t has made
pledge to establish a firm and stable
government and that must be carried
tut. 1t. therefore, may be, in the light
# present circumstances and condi-
ions, many years before affairs there
lave so shaped themselves as to en-
rust the island to the Cubans, and
We finally yield our possession of them.
The transition must be gradual step
" step. and the final general change
T control effected only after a thorough
raining, with the trial of some of the
eaders in. at first. minor capacities.
his is what is to be looked for, and
he gradual transition will take a
sngth of time considerably at variance
With what the people must expect
he comptroller of the currency has called
n national banks for a statement OF
heir condition at the close of business.