The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-05-11
YIELDS CUBA.
Return of the Spanish Fleet
to CadiZ
Amounts to Abandonment OF
West Indies.
TO SAVE PHILIPPINES.
ReinfOrcements Can be Sent to
the Archipelago
BY Way of SueZ Canal and Beat
Us There.
Englishmen Do Not Believe
Spain Will Do 1t.
TO SAVE PHILIPPINES.
achievements Can be Sent to
the Archipelago
By Way of Suez Canal and Beat
Us There.
Englishmen Do Not Believe
Spain Will Do 1t.

New York, May 11-Capt. E. L. "a
linski says of the new situation created
by the return of the Spanish fleet to
Cadiz:
IF the report is true, it would ap-
pear to indicate that it is the intention
of Spain to practically abandon Cuba
and Poto Rico with the hope of re-
covering and holding the Philippine is
lands. They would, in that case, send
this fleet, with additions, to the Philip
pine islands via the SueZ canal With
out any possibility of Dewey receiving
any notable reinforcement, except the
Charleston and some land troops, the
Spanish fleet would be much superior
to the United States fleet at Manila. No
other reinforcements are possible.
1T would seem that the Spaniards,
being hopeless of success in American
waters, are reaching out in the only di-
rection in which they can force sue
cess. To meet this, the Charleston and
the troops being assembled on the Pa
cific coast, should be dispatched to Ma
nila as quickly as possible. The expe-
ditiOn should be accompanied by yes
sells conveying ample supplies of coal,
food and ammunition, not emitting an
outfit for defending the entrance of Ma
Mia harbor with submarine mines
Admiral Dewey, thus reinforced,
could stand some chance of holding the
Spanish forces in check, acting this
time on the defensive. Our naval for
ces heavily Outmatched by the Span
ish naval forces would probably have
chance to unterbalance by more CO.
operation of the shore batteries, than
was given by these last to the Spanish
fleet
New York, May ia special to the
Tribune from Washington, says:
The naval war board is convinced
that the Spanish armored flying squad
ron, popularity known as the Cape
Verde fleet, has returned to Cadiz, and
that Spain has abandoned all hope of
effective resistance to the loss OF her
American colonies. The war in Amer
reduced to a simple matter, and its
duration is expected to be exceedingly
limited Arrangements have been prob
ably made to bring back Admiral
SIMPSONS fleet to Key West to unite
it with the army in quick terminal
ing Spanish rule in Cuba
1t is positively announced that San
Juan De Porto Rico will not be bonn
barded, and that the island will be let
severely alone for the present at least,
or until Cuba is freed and American
military government firmly establish
ed there. 1t is believed that this will
be a matter of not more than two
weeks, and then the heavier ships will
be relieved for duty against Porto Rico
or for dry docking on the Atlantic
coast preparatory for cruise in force,
augmented by the armOred ships in
Commodore Schley's squadron, against
Cadiz itself unless Spain in the mean
time sues for permanent peace.
The idea that the Spanish vessels would
run home instead of confronting certain
defeat near Porto Rico has been held by
the vast majority of naval officers since
largely of torpedo boat destroyers. return
sea shortly before war was declared on
tnat occasion grave concern manifest
with decided RELIEF thai the news 50 vas "a re a
ceiVed of their turning homeward. For
the last week the best experts in WASH
ington have agreed that the Spanish ships
if on any offensive mission, had the bat
teship Oregon as their objective end and
when after ten days they failed to report
luctantly decided that they might be at
tempting to enter the Caribbean by the
Rico or Cuba frcm the south. 1t was con-
sidered the better part of valor to send
readily secure an engagement at any
rate before Cuba could be reached trust,
cured the moment the Snaniards an
PREACHED Barbados or st. Thomas
This precautionary cruise of Admiral
sampson. while probably disappointing to
all the officers with him, is believed to
have been not without advantage. as it
permitted the retention of Commodore
Schleys ships at Hampton Roads. and
thereby secured the Atlantic coast sea-
chief coast cities and navy yards.
:. London; May 11.-There is no contirma-
ton of the report that the Spanish ffeet
from the Cape Verde islands has return-
,cd 10 Cadiz, but it is generally regarded |
as the most likely movement to be made. |
aIsd as an indication that Spain has de-
c1de'o to let her West Indian possessions |
The question is generally asked: What |
poSsloie use has Spain for continuing a |
hopeless struggle. as it is considered next
to 1an impossible @ that she has any alternative |
AAldSS some strategic design