Mexico weekly ledger., 1898-05-12
A FLYING SQUADRON.
The Spanish Fleet Proves Itself
Worthy Of Its Name.
II WOULD RATHER "FLY" THAN FIGHT.


tell whether the naval officers were re-
lieved or disappointed by the news
that came late yesterday afternoon to
both the navy and state departments to
the effect that the Spanish flying
squadron had arrived at Cadiz, Spain.
The safety of the Oregon from attack
is now assured. and the way Is clear
for military operations In Cuba with
out running the risk OF having the oc-
cupying army's line Of communication
cut off.
On the other hand, it Is believed that
no enduring peace can be secured un-
til the Spanish feet has been de-
stroyed, and 1t now appears that to do
this our sailors must make up their
minds to go after the Spaniards, a task
very much difficult than that of
meeting them near our own shores.
It was suggested by some of the
members of the war board that there
was just a possibility that the Spanish
squadron might take q quick passage
into the Pacific through the Suez canal
and attack Dewey at Manila. 1t is
said that, contrary to the common un-
derstanding, the Suez canal is open to
the war ships Of belligerent powers, so
that If the Spanish choose to take this
course they would have a long start OF
any pursuing feet from our side Of the
Atlantic. 1t is scarcely believed, how
ever, that the Spanish r willing to
take the great risk of exposing to our
attack their own home ports by the
withdrawal Of so considerable a por-
tion Of their naval strength as would
be required to overmatch Dewey.
Nothing was heard from Sampson,
but there was q confident expectation
that interesting news would be coming
from his squadron within "a hours.
Whether this means an attack on Porto
Rico or not cannot be learned.
One effect of the retreat of the Span
ish fleet has been to hasten even more
the preparations already under full
Roadway for the dispatohing of mill
tary expeditions to Cuba. 1t also has
caused q complete change in the con-
centration plans. Time is now believed
to be the great factor. There Is no
longer opportunity to indulge. in ex-
tensive drilling and practice maneuver-
ing. The regular army troops do not
need these, and are to be thrown at
once in the front of the fray.
Many Of the regiments of the ma
tional guard which are entering the
volunteer service are felt to be sufi-
GENTLY trained, from a military point
of view, to follow the regulars imme.
diatelyr and the department indicated
its purpose yesterday of dispatching
these volunteer troops directly to the
gulf coast for shipment, instead of send
ing them to Chickamauga.
This disposition was shown by the
changes in the new orders issued to
the troops, although there yet may be
a return to the original programme of
concentration If the plans show signs
Of weakness, as they develop.
The quartermaster general has al
ready gotten under charter "a mer-
chant steamers for the transport of
troops and. roughly speaking, these
should carry about 10000 men. Others
are being procured as rapidly as posi-.
BILE.
The plan of the war department is to
have these vessels assemble at the diff
ASiCAt quiz PoTSr, 41LAP03 4AoohAS, &NOV
Orleans and Galveston, to take or
troops which will be sent there. The
navy department Is expected to furnish
conveys Tor these transports, which
would be absolutely helpless against
Spanish attack. At this point
there are signs Of friction. First
the transports will be obliged to await
Admiral Simpsons return, in order tc
ecure proper convoy, and, secondly
the navy objects very decidedly to un-
dertaking the task Of conveying . mum
Der Of transports. 1t insists that TO in.
sure the safety OF the convoy of the
troops, all the transports should bt
gathered in one feet to start from
Tampa, and the navy is likely to pre-
vail in this.
Now that Maj. Gen. Seweil has been
assigned to command the concentration
camp at Falls Church, preparations are
being rushed to put the grounds there
INTO shape for the reception Of the vol
unteers.