The San Francisco call., 1898-07-28
WATSON'S SQUADRON
 MAY HASTEN PEACE

NEW YORK, July 27-The Washing ton correspondent of the Herald tele- graphs: With an interest almost as keen as that felt by Spain the powers of Europe are awaiting the announce dent Mckinley will be willing to end the war. This reply will make plain the policy of the administration with respect to the Philippines. It will likely cause an exchange of notes be- tween the powers, and may prove to be rivet which may bind Continental Europe together for the purpose of bringing pressure to bear upon this Government looking to the withdfawa of its demands regarding the acquisi- tion of territory in the Philippines and other Spanish islands in that section of the globe.
 So great has been the anxiety of the several governments to learn the in- tention of the United States with re- gard to the Philippines that they in structed their representatives in Wash ington to make inquiries as to our policy. These diplomats, besides seek ing information through the ordinary channels, have furnished their govern ments with such unofficial statements and gossip of an authoritative charac- ter as they have been able to obtain The inquiries when addressed to the State Department have all been of a character to disarm suspicion of any intention on the part of the makers to find fault with any policy that may be adopted by the United States, it being stated that if not an improper ques tion the Government of Japan, for in stance, would like to know what the United States proposes to do with the Philippines. Besides Japan, several governments made these inquiries, but 1t is stated positively at the German and French embassies that the repre- sentatives of these governments made no representation whatever to the United States on the subject.
 To the inquiries which have been made, however, an evasive answer has been returned, indicating that the Gov ernment had formulated no definite pol icy, but the positive assertion has been made that foreign interests will be thoroughly protected. These inquiries have, of course, been the subject of much discussion by the President and his advisers and are the cause of some apprehension that an effort may be made by Continental Europe to exert a pressure upon this Government to with draw from the Philippines.
 It was to counteract such pressure and to show Europe the demands of the United States were unalterable that the President recently so largely increased the Eastern squadron, and 1t Is reit- erated to-day with emphasis that that squadron will sail for Spain between the 1st and 10th of August If Spain is sincere in her desire for peace the ne- gotiations of the officials will be un- doubtedly hastened by the departure of the squadron abroad. and if she Is not. that squadron will be In position to attack and destroy the remnant of the Spanish navy and make demonstrations along the Spanish coast.
 Rear Admiral Sampson has assembled the armorclads at Guantanamo and is putting them in the best possible re- pair. He will report within a week the authorities expect, the completion of repairs to certain ships. These will be attached to Commodore Watson's squadron and sent abroad