The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1898-05-20
INVASION OF CUBA.
Troops to Be Conveyed Across the
Water and Landed on the Island.
THE WAR TO Be RAPIDLY PUSHED.
Preparations Under Way for Terrific
Bomba rdment of Cuban Ports--No Par
ticuIar Effort to lie Made to Pur-
sue the Spanish FleeG

WASHINGTON, May 1s.-The official |
bulletin boards yesterday failed to
yield any news of the movements of
either of the three fleets, SIMPSONS, |
Schley's and the Spanish flying squad
ron, and there is reason to believe that
the department itself has received no
information on that point. The de-
partment officials are beginning to
show little sensitiveness to criticism
in the matter of the delay in bring
ing the Spanish fleet into action,
have made all dispatch compati
BILE with due regard for the safety of
our own ports as well as of the lives
of the crews of our warships. The
general impression is that no particu-
lar effort is to be made just now to
pursue the Spaniards, so long as they
keep within the confines of the gulf
of Mexico and the Caribbean sea, but
that Sampson and Schley, in combina-
ton, will encircle the island of Cuba,
maintain the blockade, and convoy
troops across the Florida straits, If
necessary, meanwhile keeping a
watch on the Spanish flying squadron
to see that it does not do mischief
either to the American fleet or, by
escaping into the Atlantic, to the sea-
board cities. BY this plan the mill
tary and naval officials may hope to
silence the rather severe criticisms
that are being expressed because of
delays in opening the military cam
paign in Cuba itself Considerable
pressure has come upon the admins
tration from congressional quarters to
have the campaign fastened, and
there are thought to be signs of re-
sumption of the plans of the military
leaders for the invasion of Cuba at the
point where they were suspended by
the announcement of the arrival of
the Spanish flying squadron at Marti-
nique.
The department processes to feel no
apprehension that Adm. Dewey or his
men are in any way endangered by
the occupation of Manila harbor on
the present basis, but this cannot be
said of the unfortunate inhabitants of
Manila If the present situation is pro-
tracted unduly. 1t is no small matter
to organize and transport IL, 600 or 49,
900 soldiers 1000 miles across the sea
at short notice, and the indications are
that, within a week, some of the SOL
diers at least will be on their way
from San Francisco, following the
Charleston, which is expected to leave
at any moment with a few supplies most
urgently needed by Adm. Dewey.
There are indications that the war
department has been brought to see
the wisdom and fairness of the sug-
gestions thrown out by Maj Gen. Mer-
rift that his expedition should consist
of not less than Is, 900 men and that at
least third of them should be sea-
soned troops from the regular army,
capable of meeting on equal terms the
veteran Spanish soldiers who garrison
Manila. To endeavor to overcome the
Spanish force with less than half their
number of troops would seem to be a
senseless proceeding, in view of the
fact that there is no necessity for such
a course.
AN EARLY LANDING OF TROOPS IN CUBA.
WASHINGTON, May IS. There is a gen.
eral air of suspense among the general
public regarding the expected collision
VI VIC IlJihAoh hlb hihSllCdh
rons now in West India waters, but in
side circles are not expecting reports
of n naval engagement for several
days possibly weeks-as the Spanish
squadron, it is believed, will avoid q
conflict and endeavor to keep afloat
as long as possible, in order to harass
the American seaboard, after visiting
some of the West India ports and, II
possible, establishing communications
with Gen. Blanco. In all probability
there will be a general concentration
of American warships in Cuban waters
and tho early landing of large bodies
of troops. 1t is felt that there hai
been too much dilly-dallying and tha'
the quick decisive action of Adm
Dewey has been followed by too grea'
inaction. 1t is likely, therefore, tina
large force will be transported u
Cuba at once, under the convoy of {
strong fiotilla, and the war pushed t
: rapid conclusion. Unless the uneX
pected again intervenes, the land anC
: naval forces of the United States will
} be in action in less than a week
Preparations are under way for ter
/ rife bombardment of Cuban ports, Il
be Immediately followed by an inva
sion of troops.