The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1898-05-18

Washington May IS s-The official
bulletin boards yesterday tailed to yield
any news of the movements of either
of the three tieets-Sampson's Schlcy's
and the Spanish flying squadron-and
there Is reason to believe that the de-
partment itself has received no infor-
nation on that point. The department
officials are beginning to show little
sensitiveness to criticism In the matter
OF delay in bringing the Spanish feet
into action, conscious as they are that
they have made all dispatch compatible
with due regard for the safety of our
own ports, as well as of the lives of the
crews of our warships.
Every day there is talk of change
in the naval plans brought about by
some movement of the Spanish squad
ron, but what the latest phase Of cam
paign Is nobody outside of the MEM
bers of the war boards Is competent 10
say. The general impression Is that
no particular effort is to be made just
now to pursue the Spaniards SO long
rs they keep within the confines of the
Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean sea,
but that Sampson and Schley, in COM
bination, will enCircle the Island of
Cuba, maintain the blockade and con-
voy troops across the Florida straits
II necessary, meanwhile simply keep
Ing a watch on the Spanish flying
squadron to see that it does not do
mischief either to the American fleet
or, by escaping into the Atlantic. to
the seaboard cities.
hos
the administration from congressional
quarters to have the campaign has
tened, and there are 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 announce
ment of the arrival Of the Spanish
flying squadron at Martinique. 1t may
be presumed that everything is in trim
for departure at short notice without
open manifestation of preparations.
The department processes TO feel no
apprehension that Admiral Dewey or
his men are in any wise endangered by
their occupation Of Manila harbor on
the present basis. but this cannot be
said of the unfortunate inhabitants of
iZe and transport an expedition Of H.
600 or 600 soldiers 5000 miles across
the sea at short notice, but the indiCa-
tions are that within a week some
of the soldiers at least will be on their
way.
There are indications that the war
department has been brought to SEQ
the wisdom and fairness Of the sug-
gestions thrown out by Major General
Merritt that his expedition should con-
sist OF not less than $4,000 men, and
that at least a third of them should be
seasoned troops from the regular army,
capable Of meeting on even terms the
veteran Spanish soldiers who garrison
Manila.
General Merritt took occasion yester-
DAY, in q message to Secretary Long,
to deny very emphatically the accuracy
of certain newspaper interviews 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 did not hesi-
tate to express at once their belief that
General Merritt was too good soldier
to refuse to obey a lawful order and
his denial was expected.
Reports received here from Key West
show that the condition of the little
torpedo boat Winslow is much worse
than was supposed, and it will be nee
essary in all probability to have her
60 to Norfolk for repairs.