The Portland daily press., 1898-05-18

expedition should consist of not less than
5000 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
garrison Manila. To sndeayor to over
come the Spanish force with less than
half their number of troops would seem
to be senseless proceeding in view of the
fact that there Is no necessity for such a
course.
General Merritt took occasion to deny
very eInphatically the accuracy of certain
newspaper interviews published this
morning which placed him in the position
of refusing to obey an order to proceed to
the Philippines because his force was in.
sufficient. The officials at the depart.
ment upon seeing these publications, did
not hesitate to express at once their belief
that General Merritt was too good a
soldier to refuse to obey lawful order
although they admitted that he might
have, as he did today, through Inspector
General Hughes, member of his staff,
suggested tho propriety of increase in the
number and betterment in the quality
of the soldiers to be assigned to his com.
mand
Reports received here fron Key West
show that the condition of the little
torpedo boat Winslow Is much worse thar
was supposed, and it will be probably
necessary to have her come to Norfolk fol
repairs. One shot smashed her low
pressure starboard cylinder, and another
traversed one Of her boilers 1t would be
possible to get along under one boiler an6
reduce the starboard engine from a
quadruple to a triple expansion, but the
efficiency of the boat would be very much
lowered thereby.
Following few days later the news Of
the terrific assault on the Winslow and
her disablsment, came through the mails
an official report from Commander Nc.
Gala of an engagement the little boat
was II day or two before she came te
grief. 1t reflects great credit upon the
officers and men of the craft and was
promptly made public by the navy depart.
ment. 1t read as follows:
"U. s. S. Machias, off Cardenas, May
III . Asss. ,.os,,. w,,,,,,,o+o,, un,.o.
and Wins slow proceeded in as near as the
distractions would allow. The Machias
took up position about 300 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 I felt quite GER
tain there were no mines, depth of water
by the chart being 81 fathoms. The
vessels found no trouble in entering and
were soon steaming into Cardenas bay.
/ opened fire on Diana Cay signal station
and sent the launch with Ensign Willard
In charge to take possession of the station
find the wires and explode the mines, II
possible or cut them. No wires were
found, however, although strict search
was made for them on the island, and by
dredging around 1T.
Mr.. Willard accomplished the work ir
an excellent manner, destroying the
station and all government property
which had been abandoned in very
hurried manner, and as signal Of his
success, hoisted the American flag on tn,
signal station and brought on board the
Spanish flag, together with the signal ap
pRratus. At 40 p. ~. fire opened from
the Hudson and Winslow and was con
tinued until p. M, when the vessels re-
turned co the outer anchorage -