Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-05-17
A Change Of War Plans Contemplated
Within a Week.
SPANISH FLEET TO Be IGNORED
Rush Orders Probable for Landing
Troops in Cuba.
THE CABINET MEETING

the war plans, it is said to be highly prob
able that a change will be made within a
week, whether the almost mythical Span
| ish fleet has been encountered or not.
| The administration does not propose to
| permanently keep UP hide and seek game
| with the Spanish navy. This game appears
to be so immensely gratifying to the Span
| ish people that the ministry may order it
| kept up, thinking that land invasion of
Cuba may be indefinitely postponed. But
their minds will soon be disabused of this
idea.
1t would not be surprising it is said, to
see rush orders given from the War De-
partment any day These orders will in
vclve the gathering of thousands of troops
at points convenient for speedy transpor-
| tation to Cuba. When this force is all
ready. the ships of the navy will be uUick
ly concentrated, and the entire navy will
| be hand to protect the troops. The
formidable ships will be divided and placed
| on the fianks, one of which will rest around
! Havana to prevent the breaking of the
| blockade and protection. The other
| flank will rest far up the northern coast
| of Cuba, but where it will afford abundant
| protection.
| The arrival of the battle ship Oregon will
| add much to the carrying out of such a
| plan.
| 1t is even now estimated that plan of
! this kind would afford ample protection to
the troops, which would sail on ships that
could quickly return, if necessary.
The new cruiser New Orleans, the Colum-
| bia and ether vessels including many of
| the mosquito feet, will be sent to Cuban
| waters when the plan is made, which will
| be sure If the hiding of the Spanish fleet
| continues.
| Today's Cabinet Meeting.
Today's cabinet meeting did not produce
| any change in the war situation. The
| meeting was short, Secretary Long, Secre-
| tary Day and Attorney General Griggs re-
| naming less than hour. The others
| soon finished their business and left the
| White House.
| Secretary Long told the cabinet that he
| had received no news from the Spanish
| and American fleets to indicate early
| meeting between them. In fact, the Sec
| retary is rather of the opinion that a meet
| ing of the fleets is good ways off unless
| some chance not now figured on brings
them together.
| Secretary Long told the cabinet that the
| cruiser Charleston would sail from San
| Francisco today for Manila. He is also
| 5StliHS tiie Hliddeipuld III IedUliISSS "
| join the fleet of Admiral Dewey. The Phil
| adelphia will probably convoy large num-
ber Of troops.
| Troops Wanted by Dewey.
The President has not decided on the
| number of troops to be sent to the Philip
| pines. 1t is understood, however, that Ad-
! miral Dewey has cabled his opinion of the
number of troops necessary to aid him in
he ntl, nd af
| number is said not to be over 5000. This
| number of soldiers will be sent, and if Ad-
| miral Dewey says he wants more he can
have them. His opinion will be accepted
without question by the President.
| No mention was made in the cabinet
| meeting Of the alleged interview with GEN
| eral Merritt, in which the latter is quoted
| as dissatisfied with his assignment to the
| Philippines unless he can get more regulars
to go along on the trip.
No Mention of Another Call for Troops
| President Mckinley has not mentioned to
| cabinet officials any intention to issue an
other call for troops. He has probably CIV
| en- the matter consideration, but the aues-
| ton has progressed no further. 1t is said
| to be among the probabilities that Con-
gress will pass bill granting authority for
| another call, but this will be in the na,urs
| of precaution. If Congress adjourns before
| the close of the war, or about the time it is
| closing, the President might find af.erwari
| that more troops are needed. If this should
prove the case he will have authority 10 act
| without calling Congress together in special
| session Another reason for SUCH authority
Is that there are number of specially or
ganized regiments throughout the country
which would prove valuable additions to
| the army. Under the present apportion-
| ment among the states none of these regi
| ments can be accepted
! The report that the cabinet would discuss
| rigid press censorship on the publication
| of war news was incorrect. No mantion
| of the matter was made in the cabinet
meeting. The President has not yet indi-
Gated desire that a censorship should be
| extended beyond that already adopted as to
| the movement of ships.
| Waiting for Sea Fight,
| The general opinion of the cabinet is still
| that nothing can be done about sending an
army to Cuba until the whereabouts of the
| Spanish fleet is known, and the fleet is
either defeated or sent back to Spain
| The question of Spain sending more SOL
diers to the Philippines is not worrying the
President or his advisers. The troops to be
| sent there by this country will arrive be-
| fore those of Spain, and, backed by the
| fleet of Dewey, will be able to cope with
three or four times their number of Spa,-
iards.
| COIOred Volunteers Promised.
Ex-Governor Pinchback, Register Lyons
| OF the treasury, Col. Lewis and Capt. Kelly
! prominent southern colored men, are work.
| Ing hard to secure number of the yellow
| fever immune regiments authorized by Con-
| gress. They said today that the War De-
| partment has promised to give the colored
! men of the south five or six of these regi-
| ments, recognizing that the negro is par
| tlcularly well adapted to work in hot eli
| mates.
| Governor Pinchback said that several
regiments of negroes have already been
| organized IN New Orleans and are ready
for service just as soon as accepted. They
/ are. anxious fcr service and we are conf
| dent that they will make record in Cuba
| that will please the country. No-men on
| the face of the earth are better suited for
] army duty in Cuba than the colored men