The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-05-07
FAST STEAMER
FROM HONG KONG
Asserted That Consul WiIdman Was
Directed to Send One
TO SECURE REPORT FROM DEWEY
The Statement is Made i'm Washington
That This Was Done as Soon as
il was Discovered That the
Cable Had Been Cut.

on credible authority that as soon AS II
was discovered that communication with
Manila was cut or. telegram was sent
TO Consul Wildman directing him 10 pro-
cure by charter or purchase Immediately
the fastest steamer 10 be had at Hong
Kong. and TO send IL 20 Manila 10 con-
vey dispatches 10 Commodore Dewey ana
return with such as he might desire TO
communicate. This was done as a pre-
cautionary measure, without waiting 10
know whether a dispatch boat had been
sent by him.
Accordins TO this authority. a reply was
received from Wildman, stating that he
had succeeded i'm securing the steamer
h and that it had sailed for Manila. If no
other means OF communication is estab-
lished IL Is expected that the information
through this source will be received not
later than tomorrow.
IL has been understood here for some
DAYS that there was a difference OF opin-
ion between Secretary Alger and General
Miles as 10 the plan Of campaign TO be
pursued i'm Cuba.
The proposition TO establish peIma-
nent base Of supplies protected by foru-
dcations and a small army was advocated
nv the Secretary of War. and the prepa-
rations up to this time have been in line
with this plan. I'm the expectation That il
would b. carried out this week Under
the pressure Of recent developments THIS
plan has spread into proposition TO
send 10 Cuba at this time considerably
larger force than was contemplated IN
the original plan.
SERIES OF EXPEDITIONS.
To-day there comes from the same
source from which this information was
obtained a statement that the schsme OF
furnishing the Gomez army with supplies
and munitions Of war is likely 10 resolve
itself into a series of filibustering eXpe-
ditions. or what amounts 20 the same
.hin-. and instead of establishing the
permanent base of supplies the Govern
uent Will send a number Of expeditions
conveying arms and ammunition and vol
untter recruits for the Gomez army, 10
be received by the Cubans at designated
places as they can be reached the expo
dtions 10 be similar 10 the one reported
yesterday.
This Is more in accordance with the idea
Of General Miles, which contemplates the
postponement Of an invasion until such
time as a large army can be safely sent
TO Cuba 10 make the occupation complete
A MATTER OF DOUBT.
Whether this statement is true or IS
merely given out for the purpose OF mis-
leading. so as 10 cover the operations
which were contemplated Immediately, is
a matter Of doubt.
II is not expected that the department
would encourage reports which accurate
ly outlined the contemplated movements
or that. If a false impression prevailed,
an effort would be made 10 correct IL
The statement, however, has the sane
ton of the report Of operations having
already bee begun under the plan which
IS described.
In this connection il Is asserted that
the forces which will be sent with these
various expeditions will be those which
have volunteered for that particular pur-
pose. and that the army OF occupation
sent later under the enlarged plan OF
General Miles will be composed very
largely of the volunteers mustered in I'M
der the call for $4,000 and that the
army would be so large as TO entirely
possess the island within a very short
time after landing.
The PROSPECTS are that if this plan
should be followed the war will be over
before the grand army Of occupation
moves upon Cuba
WOULD END THE WAR
If Admiral Sampson fleet succeeds in
finding the Spanish fleet the chances are
that an engagement between lhth VIII
result i'm the destruction Of the Spanish
naval fo.ce and the war be brought 90
"A conclusion very soon thereafter. The
destruction Of the Spanish naval force
and the capture of Porto Rico would put
an end to the resources Of spain ana
leave the Spanish in cuba 10 feed upon
their own vitals.
Surgeon General Wyman has issued a
circular making available for the recep-
ton Of sick and wounded men Of either
the United States army or navy the
United States Marine Hospitals.
GENERAL WALKER.
While General Walker recently an
nounced that he had offered his services.
II is said that he had preference for
brigadler-general commission.
There IS a project on foot in Loudoun
county. Va. TO have established thor
ough system Of telephone service be-
tween this city. Round Hill. Loudoun
county. distance Of about City miles
with connections at each station along
the Washington and Ohio division Of the
Southern railroad.
The line will pass through the counties
of Loudoun. Fairfax and Alexandria.