Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1898-07-29
WASHINGTON LETTER.
tFrom our regular Correspondent


WASHINGTON, July 25th,-"Frost
will come before peace does" said a
member of the Cabinet, when asked
if there was any truth in the state
mcnt cabled from Europe that Spain
had made overtures for peace. Sham
has not made any oyertures for peace
directly to this government, and even
ifshe had, there would be no lmmedi-
ate prospect for peace, unless the
idea entertained by our officials, that
Spain would refuse at this time to &C
cept the conditions of peace that we
would exact, is wrong. 1t Is the
opinion in administration circles
that we must take Havana before
Spain will be willing to accept our
terms of peace, and the campaign
against Havana is not expected 10
open before fall.
The advance guards of Gen. Miles
army has landed on Porto Rico and
raised the stars and stripes. The
flag will remain permanently on that
island, whatever may be done with
the others. This is official. Within
ten DAYS or less it is calculated that all
of Porto Rico, except San Juan,
which is heavily fortified and garrison
ed, will be in our possession; that will
come later.
BY order of the President, the de-
parture of Commodore Wstson's
fleet for Spain has been postponed I'M
til further notice.
Although there are plenty of men
anxious to fight, there is 10 scramble
to enlist in the regular army, which Is
still more than 10000 men short OF
the number to which Congress au-
thorized its increase. Some account
for this by expressing the opinion
that men hesitate about enlisting in
the regular army because there is no
certainty as TO whether they will 60
TO the front or to some army post.
An army officer, who has had hand
in enlisting more than $4,000
men who have gone into the regular
army since Congress authorized its
increase, says the only reason the
ranks are not yet full is the high
physical standard required, and TO
prove that he was right, pointed out
that the average Of men enlisted had
scarcely reached one out of every
three who had been examined.
Whether the L. 5. shall annex the
Philippine Islands is question not
likely to be decided until the war Is
over, but every time it Is scientifically
announced in any European capital,
and cabled over here, that concert
&C European powers had decided that
the Philippines shall not pass under
American control, the number OF
Americans who favor Philippine an
nexation is increased. Nobody in
Washington seriously believes that
any concert OF European powers will
dare to attempt to dictate what this
Government shall do with the Philip
pines or any other conquered terri
tory, and nobody doubts if such die
tation were ATTEMPTED, that this gov
eminent would be forced by the
practical unanimity of its own people
to do just what would be forbidden.
While there are differences Of opinion
some of them radical, about other
thing connected with the war, there
is none about resisting European
meddling.
1t is an open secret That President
Mckinley is somewhat worried over
the attitude of the insurgents, both
in Cuba and in the Philippines.
Aguinaldo'S conduct in declaring HIM
self Dictator of the Philippine repub-
lie is regarded as an indication that
Gen. Merritt will have trouble with
him when he takes charge OF the
Philippines and establishes military
government. Friends Of the admin
istration are openingly blaming Gen.
Shafter for not having had tact enough
to prevent Gen. Garcia removing his
troops from in front of Santiago and
announcing that they would no longer
remain as our allies. Those who
know the situation best are predict
ing that no amount oftact will keep
the insurgents satisfied, so long as
they are not allowed to plumber in
captured territory.
Special Seasons Excursions to Atlantic
rtv Zane Nav and Sea Isle Civ,