The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1898-06-30

may De subjected to seizure before the
final die is cast. Powerful in its
strength, the new squadron, now
known as the eastern fleet, can oper-
ate pretty much as the commander
dictates without the peril that usually
surrounds hostile fleet in the waters
OF an enemy, amply supplied with all
the coal it may require and competent
to sweep from the sea all that remain
of Spain's languishing naval forces.
No fleet has ever left for operations
in the home waters of its enemy with
greater assurance of its ability to pro-
duce results. 1t is said to have in view
possible attack on the Canaries and
Spain's possessions in the Mediterra-
mean sea, the Balearic Isles, Minorca
Majorca, Ivica, and on one of which
is an important naval station, Port
Mahon. The last named has been
protected, mined and defended, as
best Spain could, but the strategists
have no doubt of the ability of Wat
son to silence its guns as quickly and
effectively as Sampson has silenced
those at Santiago. The first gun fired
on PortMahon, or, in fact, on a Spanish
coast town may provoke hostile Eu-
ropean criticism, and at the same time
it may go further toward bringing
about peace than large army inCuba.
1t is admitted that Watson's fleet can
take Spain's possessions in the Medi-
terranean as easily as Manila was
seized, and while the programme cut
out for Watson is believed to include
the islands as part of the programme
for its operations, it is believed thev
will, for the present at least, be con-
fined to simple bombardment with no
intention of landing troops for their
occupation. The Canaries may come
in also for consideration by Watson.
That the administration wishes to
impress on Spain that the feet is
large and powerful and that it will
reach her ports in short order is man
ifested in no uncertain way. Both
governments, in fact, are using their
fleets for bluff purposes, and which
one will cali first is to be later
determined. If Spain finds that the
United States is in earnest in the dis
patch of this fleet she cannot well
afford to continue her Cadiz fleet on
to Manila, if, indeed, it was ever her
purpose to get get it beyond the Suez
canal, and if the squadron is sooner
reported on its way home, having
been refused passage of the battle
ships by the canal commissioners,
the chances are against this demon
stration by Watson. There is no
question, however, of the firm resolve
to send fleet to Spain should the
Camara fleet continue on its way.
and the opinion is strong that in any
event ii will visit Spanish waters to
destroy shipping and shell the forti-
fed towns.
Behind all this is another posi-
bility discussed to-day and which
may yet be developed. 1t is the
formation of a second squadron, with
Schley in charge, and consisting of
the New York, Brooklyn, Minneap-
oils, Columbia, st. Paul and st. Louis,
with four colliers, to take the Canar-
les once, independent of Watsons
command. All these vessels could
readily be drawn from the North
Atlantic fleet without depriving the
station of needed ships for blockade
work and to maintain the watch on
Cervera. Yet with Cervera S armored
cruisers disposed of the problem
would be more readily solved, and,
for that matter, half the navy could
then be sent to Spanish waters.
Cervera will have to be watched, how
ever, until his ships are at the bot
tom or in the hands of the United
States, and for that reason the forces
around Southern Cuba are not to be
materially weakened by detachment
of more than half the battle ships for
service elsewhere.
The flying Eastern squadron, as
announced this morning by the Navy
Department is to be commanded by
Commodore John Crittenden Watson,
one of the most capable officers of
the service and now in charge of
blockade work off Havana. A mem
Der of Farragut's staff he has seen
active fighting before, and he knows
the new navy as well as any man in
it. His flagship is to be the Newark,
on which he sailed to-day for Santi
ago, where he is to be joined by the
Iowa, under Captain Evans, the Ore
gon, under Captain Clarke, and the
three auxiliary cruisers, Dixie, in |
charge of the Maryland Naval Re-
serves; Yosemite, with the Michigan
men on board, and Yankee, with the |
New Workers in charge. Three col
liers in addition are to accompany
the fleet, with a total capacity of |
nearly $4,000 tons of coal. These YES