New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-05-13

public and oficial naturally centred to-day in
the unwclcomc news from Key West that the
torpcdo-boat Winslow had been seriously dam
aged in an encounter with the Spanish bat
tcrics at Cardcnas and that the lives OF one
officer and four scam"n had been lost III the ac
ton. The men killed on the mcklcss torpedo
boat were the first Americans To fall III the
struggle with Spain. and the shock of the frst
actual sense Of loss was painfully heightened
by an impression that the sacrifice was 10 some
extent an unnecessary and fruiless one.
AN UNEQUAL CONTEST.
The details Of the fight in Cardenas Harbor
already received here are not sufficiently clear
to substantatc the good iudgmen, which ap-
parcntly exposed such slight craft the Win
slew and the Hudson 10 the fire of Spanish land
batteries against which their own small arma-
mcnt could not possibly have been held 10 be
effective The Wnslow is known 10 have car
ried only three one-p FOUNDER guns. and her ON
poymcnt for fighting purposes. even against
the Spanish gunboatS which had taken refuge
N CardcnaS. seems difficult of explanation
Lieutenant Bornadou. who was in command of
the torpedo boat. ana who was himself wound
ed in the action. is represented in Key Nest
dispatches a saying that the WinSow was or
dcrcd 10 GO into the harhor and attack the gun
beats there. The Navy Department has tele-
graphcd 10 Key West for n full report on IN"
circumstances under which The WinSlow found
itself subjected 10 50 destructive and unequal 4
contest Meanwhile The Government will hasten
repairs on The torpedo boat. which l. pracii-
cally brand new and one Of the best Of class
altogether too restricted in the American Navy.
\ certain feeling j, noticeable in naval circles
that too much rccklc>~nc>s 10 exposure has re
Gently been exhibited 10y the unarmored por
ton Of the fleet blockading Cuban ports. and
steps will doubtless be- taken 10 restrain the
impetuoSiiy of men aud officers who. ont Of
abundance of spirit and courage. have brnycd
The fire Of coast and aarhor forfincations with
small and wholly unprotected ,lip'.
GRATIFYING ApvIcEs FROM DEwEY
Is compensation for the damage done to
the Wiuslow news came to-day unoiiicially
from Hong Kong that thc concord had run
down and destroyed another spanish eunhoai
of Hobo. in ih, Philippines Word came direct
from Admiral Dove, also that the Span sh
man %. .war Aihos perhaps the one attacked lay
the Concord. should Doe added 10 th" list of hos
Tile vessels sunk or disabled 10y the A>laiic
Squadron. Admiral Dewey reported also Ia The
Navy Department that ho had lnkcn SOM -
the best guns from fl" wrecked Spanish crUs
crs and placol Them ON his two transport ships.
lhgs materially increasing the strength of his
feet Ammunition and supple, had also been
found i'm alnil" quantities IN th" 'aviie arsenal.
Altogether ile President AMI Dis advisers were
highly sra' fed with ih" pic'ur" u the Siiia-
4
The American commander. and liii" concern is
now ioh about Admiral Dewey ahi'l'y 20
','" III us ~ ''
Tho \,yv Dnu,rtmen, sin declares itself
without Information from rhe American fleet
off Porto Rico bui expects 20 establish com
municaiion with Acting Admiral Sampson at al
most any moment
.,.,..,, 49,, ,., mum. ,..,..e,o.,
''oh'rh MllrH9 '''.'l"h 10 l'S'l'"n' "'''
more the dai" sei for his drpariur" for Tampa
points clearly 10 a temporary 'h''N III Inc p''nS
for starting an army Of !nvaN.on on us way 7"
cuba Though IN" regular troops now '"hV'r-'
ing to Gulf coast points could undoubtedly h'
ready Tor "mpdr"A'loh ny M"i''i' "'N'' II ""'
been found imp">Sl"e 10 concentrate '"e sup
porting volunteer CORPS @"'"''"'! ~ '"'' ''''
To insure TN" prompt reinforcement 81 ''' H''"
ing forces PREPARATION !" supp. INV '''r' " ',''
food wafer ana ''"'''"- "l' "''' n'' e"''''''
complete" 80 'ha' '"' "'i'"'"'' y. '''' "''' ~
petition from lamp" WI" P'o"'"'' nav ~ ~
delayed until late hcN' week. NO in'''''r' "''-
vantage Is lost. oi course D! HIS po''Po"'ili'"'
ON The contrary u Is h'ld D.! mIh''iH ""'io''
TVS ''' ,,.I on,,i,r,cr, win he
of Invaluable benefit IN The subsequent prOs"cu-
lion Of the campaign against Havana.
,.,. r,,v,DD r~1.rr,,rxTrON
~
Rum0rs continue rIic 'f Inc intention o' '''