The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-06-01
SCHLEY AND SAMPSON
GIVEN WIDE LATITUDE.
4 nha mpered by Instructions From
Nashtngfon-Pians for TAX
ing santiago.

WASHINGTON, May 3l.-The signlh-
cant statement was made BY cabinet Of
ncer. after the regular Tuesday meeting
az the cabinet, that no news had peen Te-
eeiyed since Monday from Commodore
Schiey direct and row Il was believed sfat
nothing would he heard for two or three
days az hast This is taken to mean that
Schley viii probably await The arrival or
troops before undertaking any active move
on Santiago
X was plainly anticipated in some quar-
teFs that he might. through some Informal
s.cn which would tend 10 neutrlIiZe the
strength OF the eneny'ss position, make a
bold sftempt 10 enter the aarbor Ct San
t.ago and destroy or capture the Spanish
squadron. WITH the assistance OF a sin
gle regiment Of United States troops,
which could be even now on i.s way 10 his
support, the officials are confident that the
fleet can reduce the fortress at the en-
trance 10 Santiago narbor and make I'M
tenaDIe the position OF the Spanish squad
ron with.n. OF course. this plan Is based
upon the theory that Cervera Will Tot a.
tempt 10 make his escape by a desperate
soriie at night.
This movement Of Schley Is unquession-
ably in pursuance Of the presidents policy
10 send helping hand 10 the starving re-
concentrates. The Spanish squadron
might be kept within Santiago harbor an-
iff TIE tA0 o. the war Without SttrlS3E elt-
dangering any American life. and because
OF its distance and isolation from Havana
Santiago city has little 10 attract a milf
tary attack.
Hut lyiBg in the very midst % Tue III
surgeon; section OF the island. the town
would afford a splendid base for he d.str.~
button Of supplies TO the families OF the
insurgents and 10 the reconcentrados who
sui drag out a miserable existence in the
fffs
10 prepare to help these people and the
commssaTy general of the army has pre-
pared an estimate OF S. 0l1. 90 for the pur-
chase OF sufficient supplies 10 feed 150,9oo
reconcenirados FOR three months.
For the time being IL is felt that the real
field OF action is removed from Washing
ton, ana is centered with the troops now
advancing under orders from here and
with our ships. The time of preparation
has gone by. and It remains only for the
preparations TO be carried into actual eff
feet. II leading naval official pointed to
his desk. which was clear of papers and
documents. and remarked that all the
preparatory details were now well along,
and that so far as the authsrlt.es hafe were
concerned they had only To wait for the
execution Of the preparat tons heretofore
matursd. There will continue TO he much
routine detail In the maintenance of the
large military ana naval force, ouc this
Is now in well-established channels
The more vital feature of the campaign
itself has been fully matured. To q certain
extent the military and naval operations
will be directed from Washington ana get.
with Gen. Miles IN the South and Adm.ra,
Sampson and Commodore Schley in Gu
hJn waters they VII have most b DO
win the time ard circumstances Of At
back. The commanders. military ana ma
val. nave been given wide latitude. as 1ae
authorities fully appreciate that battles
cannot nc fought in advance ca paper
All that has been attempted has heen 70
outline campaign and make he fulles:
provision for adequate forces, ample sup
plies and the fullest cooperation between
the navy and army IN the successful exc
cution of the plans. The real blows are for
the commanders 20 strike and in the exc
cution % this part Of the progr1;nm the
authorities hase can tAke llt.la uaLt.