Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1898-05-13


effect that the Spanish flying squadron
had arrived at Cadiz, Spain. The safety
LOT the Oregon from attack is now COM
pletely assured, and the way is clear for
MiItary operations in Cuba without
summing the risk of having the occupy
ling arn1y's line of communication cut
off. On the other hand, i. Is believed
that no enduring peace can be secured
until the Spanish navy has been de-
Istroyed, and it now appears that to do
this our sailors must make up their
minds to go after the Spaniards, task
very much more difficult than that Of
meeting them near our own shores.
May Attack Dewey.
It was suggested by some Of the mem
beers OF the war board that there was
Gust 9 possibility that the Spanish
squadron might make quick passage
INTO the Pacific through the suea canal
and attack Dewey at Manila. 1t is said
that, contrary to the common under
standing, the suez canal is open to the
tyayahips Of belligerent powers, so that
" the Spanish choose to talce this course
they would have long start Of any pur-
suing feet from our side Of the At
lnnuc. It is scarcely believed, however,
that the Spanish are willing to take the
great rick of exposing to our attack
their own homo ports by the with
frawal OF so considerable proportion
lot their naval strength as would be re-
tqnired to overmatch Dewey.
Sampson Shn silent.
4
Tuesday, but there is a confident ex-
pectation that interesting news will be
coming from his squadron within the
next "a hours. Whether this means an
attack on Puerto Rico or not cannot be
learned.
The Cuban Campaign.
One effect of the retreat of the Span
tsh feet has been to hasten even more
the preparations already under full
hsadWay for the dispatohing of military
expeditions to Cuba. It also has caused
~ complete change in the concentration
plans. Time is now believed to be the
great factor. There is no longer Oh.
Iportunity to indulge in extensive drill
ing and practice maneuvering. The
regular army troops do not need these
and are to be thrown at once into the
fray. Many Of the regiments of the
Hational guard which are. entering the
Volunteer service are felt to be sufa-
etently ttalned from military point of
view to follow the regulars Immediately,
and the department indicated its pur-
Ipose Tuesday of dispntching these vol
nntesr troops directly to the gulf coast
tfor shipment, instead of sending them
TO Chtakamauga. This disposition was
shown by the changes in the new orders
ISSUED to the troops, although there
YET may be return to the original pro-
gramne OF concentration If the plans
SHOW signs Of weakness as they de-
rolop. TIE quartermaster general has
already gotten under charter 27 mers
phant steamers for the transport of
Troops and roughly speaking these
Ahould carry about 10000 men. Others
kible.
The plan of the war department is to
pave these vessels assemble at the Gulf
ports, Tampa, Mobile, New Orleans and
galveston, to take on troops which will
be sent there. The navy department Is
kxpscted to furnish convoys for these
transports, which would be absolutely
ntlplsss against Spanish attack. At
SeN point there are signs of friction.
First, the transports will be obliged to
Mait Admiral SIMPSONS return In order
~ secure proper convoy, and secondly,
khs navy objects very decidedly to I'M
fsrtaking the task of conveying mum.
Per OF transports 1t insists that to as
kprs the safety Of the convoy of the
troops, all the transports should be
gathered In one feet to start from
Tampa, and the navy Is likely to pre-
Vail in this.
Miles to Command,
i Washington, May 11.-By Friday
morning the commanding general Of
Ehe United States army, Mai. Gen.
Miles, will have assembled his staff
around him at Tampa, Fla. He leaves
Washington Wednesday night, taking
fifth him Col. Michler. Col. Maus, Col.
Preenleaf, Maj. Osgood, Maj. Hum
fhries. Capt. seyburn and Capt Scott.
Unless present plans are changed the
general will gro with the first military
Rapeditionary force to Cuba. He is not
kRpected to relieve the major generals
ALREADY selected for that task of the
bonduct of the campaign, but both in
FLORIDA and in Cuba will exercise the
Same general superintsndenos over the
campaign that he now does from his
Headquarters In Washington.
VIII Return to Madrid.
Washington, May 1.-THE presidsn
1T is understood, intends that Gen. Stew
krt L. Woodford, the minister to Me-
hrdd, shall retain his diplomatic ca
paeity to return to Madrid after tho
kar IL brnrEht to a olose and Diplomatic