The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1898-04-14
WASHINGTON LETTER.
(From Our Regular oorrsspondsns.l
WASHINGTON, D. O., April 8, 1898.

ing nl6 OuOan message 10 congress unCll
next week, simply because there was
else to be done, after he
was notified by Consul General Lee that
1t would be impossible to get the several
thousand Americans then there all out
of Cuba before about Sunday and that
their lives would be in danger If they
remained in Cuba after the message
recommending Intervention was made
public. As impatient as Congress has
been to take the action that will result
in the end OF Spanish control Of Cuba,
it had no objection to the postponement
when it was made acquainted with the
reason for the delay. Nothing can pos
sibly be of greater importance than the
preservation of the lives of American
citizens. Nothing will be lost by the
postponement. On the contrary, it will
enable the administration to make the
naval and military demonstration, which
is to follow the action of Congress on
the Presidents message, more formida.
BILE, and to make the first blow, if it
comes to blows, more disastrous to the
Spanish.
Mean while, there is possibility that
Spain may make the sending OF the
message to Congress unnecessary by
humbly backing down and meeting
every demand that President Mckinley
has made concerning Cuba, including
the withdrawal. of it's soldiers and it's flag
from Cuba. This possibility, however.
would not have resulted in the postpone.
ment of the message, as the President is
too we'll acquainted with Spanish trick
cry to accept any promises contingent
upon further diplomatic negotiations in
answer to the ultimatum which was un.
satisfactorily answered by Spain last
week. The position of this government
has been fully stated to Spain and will
not be changed in the slightest dgree.
That was made plain to representatives
of European nations when they sounded
this government to ascertain how an of.
fer to mediate would be received and
further they were told plainest of English
that this government was fully deter.
mined to maintain its position by force,
if necessary. Since then they have been
bringing pressure to bear on Spain to
compel it to comply with our demands
The Pope has not directly attempted to
influence this government, and his at
tempt to arrange truce between the
Spanish and the Cuban insurgents has
been productive of more harm than good
to Spain, because il has been perfectly
plain from the first that his object was
to save Spain from the wrath of this
country. Spain can give up Cuba peace.
ably if it will, but it has got to give II
up. That is as certain % can be.
The following statement by Assistant
Secretary vsnderlip, of the Treasury, ID
especially interesting at this time
"When war comes new influences oper'
ate upon the public revenues. The
first boom of cannon is call for increased
resources, and is likely to be followed by
Q sharp decrease in ordinary receipts
Fortunately At no time since the civil wal
has the q. s. Treasury occupied so
strong position Is 1t does now, with
tho exception possibly of the surplus
days of 1885 80. The circulation state
ment Just issued shows that we have On
large stock OF gold in this country, almost
$3.50, ,0O0,0 900. Of this amount the U. 8
Treasury holds $l75.OOO.0 900. We are
$75, 900 above the traditional reserve
maintained for redemption of o. 8
notes, and the reserve 10 increasing $500,
600 . day. But, Notwithstanding the
strong financial position Of the govern
ment, and Of the moneyed institutions o.
the country, there would in any sort O
. conflict, soon be necessity for addi
tional revenues. This has given grave
concern to those charged with the I'd
ministration Of the finances of the gov
ernment. Unquestionably. if war should
come, our first victory should be thu
placing Of the National Treasury upon I
war basis" Mr.. Vsnderlip points on
numerous ways by which our revenues
could be speedily increased, but that il
matter to be determined by Congress
alone.
Gen. Schoaeld made . strong argu
ment before the House committee OF
Military Affairs in favor of the Volun
teer Reserve bill, which he said woult
when put into effect, give the U. 8. gov
ernment an army of 100000 traine(
men who could be called out to NEE
any emergency. Although it is too lat
for the idea to be utilized in the presen
emergency, 1t 10 being well received il
Congress, and the bill will doubtless il
time become law Although on tn
retired list, General Schofield 10 at tn
War Department every day, giving Gen
Alger tho benefit Of his extensive knowl