The record-union., 1898-06-08
Is Complete Master Of Operations
by the Naval Forces.
Naval Officials Not willing TO Admit That
United States Troops Have Landed
In the neighborheod Of
Santiago.

out with a strong belief that tnere
had been nothing in the nature OF
serious engagement between Simpsons
forces and the Spanish defenses at San
tiago, the Navy Department officials.
as the day wore on and the full and de-
tailed reports of the Associated Press
from it's correspondents with the fleet
began to flow in, were compelled to
modify their view, and when the day
closed they were about ready to admit
that, although without official informa-
ton on the subject, it was evident that
Sampson had made strong attack up
on the Spanish force. The one point
upon which they maintained was their
confidence that no troops had been
landed. They were prepared to learn
that Sampson might be clearing the
way with his big guns for the landing
of the troops, or that possibly some ma
rines had been landed temporarily, but
that forces had been put ashore they
would not admit, for the reason that
no information had reached the War
Department Of the actual departure Of
the soldiers from the gulf ports Tor
Cuba.
1t is not denied, however, that every
effort is being made to put the troops
into Cuba at the earliest possible mo-
ment and this afternoon it is believed,
although no official advices to that ef-
feet were at hand, that the troops have
actually been embarking at Tampa to-
day, and may get away tonight. The
reason for this belief is found in the
admission by officials that the troops
have been under orders to embark for
some time past. The difficulty that
presented itself was the absence of
absolutely necessary supplies, which in
most cases were stored away in some
of the thousands of freight cars which
blocked the railroad tracks many miles
out from Tampa. The orders that went
forward yesterday were OF charac-
ter to cause a speedy breaking of the
deadlock, and if the troops now have
their supplies, which is believed to be
the case, there is no reason why they
should not sail at once for Santiago.
BY the newspaper reports OF the
breach Sampson has made in the coast
defenses there, there is every reason
found in the actual debarkation Of the
troops. particularly if marines are al
ready ashore to guard the landing.
A suspicion Is entertained in some
o,,artors that SAMPSON was haStened
in his movements at Santiago by the
news of the intended departure OF the
troops from Tampa, and made this at
tack in order that the navy might have
the honor of effecting the occupation
OF Cuban soil.
1t is likely that the first troops of the
regular army to take up a position
ashore will be the engineer battalion,
although they are so badly hampered
by the heavy siege trains they carry
that they must be greatly delayed in
making a landing. These guns, by the
way. have given infinite trouble. for the
transports that were hastily chartered
were SO lightly constructed as to re-
ouire a great deal of strengthening be-
fore the great masses Of steel could be
safely placed on them.
The extent of SIMPSONS attack on
tho Santiago defenses have brought out
one fact very celarly, namely, that ne
has practically unlimited power as to
the time and character of an attack,
and that he is unhampered by restric-
items from Washington. The exact ma
ture OF his orders have never been maoe
pubic. but naval official In position
to know what they are. said that Al
miral Sampson had greater power con-
ferred upon him than had ever been
given to any commander. 1t was for
him to decide on the time for an attack
and the place and manner of its execu-
ton. He may attack before troops ar
rive. or, in his discretion. may act With
out the cooperation of troops. Or, II
circumstances warrant, he may refrain
from any operations s.ss tnS
In short, it is said that Admiral
Sampson is complete master OF the tao
teal and strategic operations by the
naval forces of Santiago. This is In
line with the policy approved by the
highest naval authorities. Captain Ma