The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1898-05-20
AREURGING ACTION
Congressman Want the War
Pushed With More Energy.

vAressure Likely to Be Heeded-Pursuit
of the FIeeting spaniards Not COntem-
plated-General Merritt Not Insubor-
dinate-Another Gall For Volunteers
Not Now Proposed.
Washington, May 1S.-Considerable
Nressure has come upon the administra-
ton from congressional quarters to have
the campaign FASTENED, and there is
thought to be signs of a resumption OF
the plans of the military leaders for the
invasion of Cuba at the point where they
were suddenly suspended by the an
nouncement of the arrival of the Spanish
flying squadron at Martinique. At army
headquarters there was no sign of i'm
mediate departure, but in view of the
fact that three times at least everything
has been prepared for movement to
Tampa it may be presumed that every
thing is in trim for departure at short
notice without open manifestation of
preparations.
The general impression is that par
ltcular effort is not to be made just now
keep within the confines of the gulf of
Mexico and the Caribbean sea, but that
Sampson and Schley in combination will
encircle Cuba, maintain the blockade
and convoy troops across the Florida
straits, if necessary, meanwhile simply
keeping watch on the Spanish squad
ron to see that it does not do mischief
either to the American fleet or, by escap-
inc MT Atlantic attack
cities.
The department processes to feel no
apprehension that Admiral Dewey or
his men are endangered by their occu-
patton of Manila harbor on the present
basis, but this cannot be said of the I'M
fortunate inhabitants of Manila, if the
present situation is protracted unduly.
1t is no small matter to organize and
transport an expedition of II, 900 or - 900
soldiers 5000 miles across the sea at short
notice and the indications are that
nvithin a week some of the wldiers at
least will be on their way from San
Francisco.
Reports from Key West show that the
condition of the Winslow is worse than
was supposed, and it will be probably
necessary to have her come to Norfolk
for repairs. One shot smashed her low
pressure starboard cylinder and an
other traversed one of her boilers. 1t
would be possible to get along under one
boiler and reduce the starboard engine
from a quadruple to a triple expansion,
but the efficiency of the boat would be
very much lowered thereby. Following
a few days later the news of the terrific
assault on the Winslow and her disable
ment came through the mails an official
report from Commander McCalla of an
engagement the little boat was in day
or two before she came to grief 1t re-
fleets great credit upon the officers and
men of the craft, and was promptly
made public by the navy department.
1t reads as follows:
1.-THE Machias, Wilmington, Hudson
and Winslow proceeded in as far as the
distractions would allow. The Machias
took up position about 210o yards north
east of Diana cay. The Wilmington,
with the Hudson and Winslow, proceeded
to enter the inner harbor between
Romero and Blanco Gays, where 1 felt
quite certain there were no mines, the
depth of water by the chart being one
and three-quarters fathoms. The YES
sells found no trouble in entering and
were soon steaming into Cardenas bay.
I opened fire on Diana cay signal station
and sent the launch with Ensign Willard
in charge to take possession of the sta
ton, find the wires and explode the
mines, if possible, or cut them. No
wires were found, however although
strict search was made for them on the
island and by dredging around it. Mr..
Willard accomplished the work in an
excellent manner, destroying the station
and all government property, which had
been abandoned in very hurried man
ner, and as signal of his success hoist
ed the American flag on ne signal sta
ton and brought on boord the Spanish
flag, together with the signal apparatus"
There are Indications that the Wv 90
partment has been brought to see the
wisdom Of the suggestions thrown out
by General Merritt that his expedition
should consist of not less than 10 900 men,
and that at least third of them should
be seasoned troops from the regular
army capable of meeting on even terms
the veteran Spanish soldiers who garri-
son Manila. To endeavor to overcome
the Spanish force with less than hah
their number Of troops would seem to be
a senseless proceeding in view of the
fact that there is no necessity for such
a course General Merritt took occasion
to deny very emphatically the accuracy
of interviews which placed him in the
position of refusing to obey an order to
proceed to the Philippines because his
force was insufficient. The officials at
the department, upon seeing these pub
locations, did not hesitate to express at
once their belief that General Merritt
was too good a soldier to refuse to obey
a lawful order, though they admitted
that he might have suggested the pro-
priety of an increase in the number and
A betterment in the quality of the soldiers
to be assigned to his command.
The statement cabled from London
that Japan intends to protest vigorously
against the seizure of the Philippines
by the United States and, with that OBJ
ject in view, is taking steps to secure the
cooperation of certain European pow
ers. is not credited by the japanese min
lister. He has received no intimation,
official or unofficial, of such a purpose
on the part of his government, and he is
confident that the report is without
foundation. In his opinion the statement
carries with it its own contradiction,
since it is self-evident that the present
position of affairs in the Philippines Of
for