The record-union., 1898-05-13
THE WAR SITUATION.

At this writing advices are at hand
which appear to be authentic, setting
forth that Admiral Sampson has been
engaged in reducing the Notifications of
San Juan Bautista in the Island of
Porto Rico. Now that he has entered
upon that task, we have not the slight
est doubt about his achieving it. The
Spanish have there no naval force,
probably. assuredly none that can stop
the advance Of Admiral Sampson.
While the land Notifications are of con-
siderable extent and strength, they can
not withstand the assault of the heav-
Ter metal Of the squadron under Samp-
son. With the fall of San Juan the
island Is practically in our hands, and
with that accomplished the last hope
of Spain for maintaining base on
this side Of the Atlantic is gone. We
look forward to such victories as
Sampson will achieve, and which will
now rapidly follow, as bringing the war
very nearly to its close.
It is possible that Spain may make
further stand in the Philippines, and
attempt to recover her foothold there.
But before she can do so Admiral
Dewey's fleet Will have been augmented
by the arrival of the Charleston and
the Philadelphia, and soon thereafter
by the Decentralization upon the shores
of Manila Bay Of 5000 American troops
nd 1o4
In the meantime we have advices
from Admiral Dewey to the effect that
his position is as yet safe, that he is
now engaged in transferring breech-
Spanish ships to his own transports.
He is thus equipping his colliers and
transports as auxiliary cruisers, for
which he has ammunition in plenty, as
he adds that he has possession of the
Spanish arsenal and its stores.
He says that one more vessel must
be added to the list Of those he de-
stroyed, the Argos, probably a gun
boat. Other dispatches tell of one of
the fleet having destroyed still another
Spanish warship. He has taken, it is
known, from the Spanish a number of
small-fry boats which ran up the creeks
emptying into Manila Bay, and these he
may be able to make useful in strength
ening his position. Before the Spanish
can assault him he will probably have
remounted guns in such land batteries
as can be of service to him, and these
will serve as covers to the fleet and
enable it to withstand any attack that
may be made upon it from the water.
OF the troops under Spanish arms in
Manila, now closely blockaded, we en-
tertain the belief that Admiral Dewey
must have compelled them to lay down
their arms as the price Of safety to
the city. or else they have retreated in
land. Still they may be under arms
within the city. In either case he will
be able to rest without fear from them
until the American troops arrive from
this coast, which they should be able
to do in about twenty-four days after
sailing from San Francisco.
Before that, however, the Charleston
will have reached Manila with rein
forcements for the Marine Corps, with
ammunition for the American guns
and other needed supplies. Admiral
Dewey evidently has coal sufficient for
time, as he has seized 10000 tons of
that essential in the harbor. Within
q month, therefore, he will probably
have eleven armed ships at his service,
several small-fry craft, heavy land bat
teries, and a large force Of soldiers.
With these in hand 1t is altogether un-
likely that Spain will successfully as
sault his position. The Philippines win
yet. Their paciflcation, and the estab-
hshment Of orderly government there,
viii be a task Of no small difficulty,
however. and 1t is unlikely that 1t will
be concluded this year.
Admiral Dewey Is not reported as
saying anything about the insurgents,
though outside advices are TO the ef-
feet that they are committing outrages
and that Admiral Dewey's protest and
the commands OF their leaders do not
restrain them. These natives and their
associates, rebellious Spanish, have
suffered so much under Spanish rule
that It Is not at all surprising that
passion should now be manifest in re-
vengeful acts.
Advices at this hour are that we have
made an unsuccessful assault upon
Cienfuegos in Cuba-but this is from
Spanish sources-and another at Car
denas, where we lost five men and sew
eral were wounded in a sharp engage
ment between gun and torpedo boats.
Flying reports speak of Spanish gun
boats upon the North Atlantic coast,
but there is no reason whatever to fear
attacks from such assailants upon
coast cities. Their purpose is to prey
upon commerce. All in all, the situa-
tion at present is encouraging, and
gives strong support to American arms
Attention will now turn to Cuba, the
occupation of which by land forces has
already begun. From that section of
the field of war we must look for the
next most important news, after Porto
Rico shall have been effectually placed
at our disposal
Now we are getting a taste of real