The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1898-05-13
THE SPANISH FLEET.
Adm. Sampson Eas Not Run Across
It---1ts Whereabouts Mystery.
A CHANGE IN THE WAR POLICY.
Immediate Action Promised on both Land
and sea-An Invading Army to lie
Sent to Cuba-Insurgents Not
To BE Relied Upon.

WASHINGTON, May TO- There is the
best authority for the statement that,
yesterday having passed without re-
port from Adm. Sampson, the navy de-
partment does not expect to hear from
him within several days. The au-
thority for this statement is an official
fully acquainted with Adm. SIMPSONS
plans, and the remark would seem to
indicate that the admiral, having
tailed to find the enemy at the place
expected, had turned his attention to
the alternative project. What this
is cannot be ascertained. 1t is
evident, however, that the depart
ment Is under no apprehension as to
the safety of the American fleet, nor
of any vessel of the fleet 1t is now
officially admitted that Adm. Sampson
was with his fleet near. Cape Haytien,
on the north coast of Sauto Domingo,
and distance about a days run from
Porto Rico. So far no reports have
come to the department of any of the
lurid engagements that are said to
have taken place in those waters, but
it is believed at the department that,
If there was gun firing, as reported by
merchant vessels it probably was
caused by some of the United States
vessels chasing either prizes or the
small Spanish gunboats that are be-
lieved to be cruising around in those
waters. From the expectation so
plainly manifested at the navy depart
ment that something is to happen soon,
il is surmised that, If Sampson does
not strike the Spanish flying squadron,
he may strike a blow at Porto Bico
itself.
1t is a curious fact that, thus far, the
navy department does not know posi-
lively where the Spanish fleet is, and
IL is just possible that the vessels may
be away over on the other side of the
Atlantic or at Cadiz, instead Of being
in SIMPSONS neighborhood In the
West Indies.
A CHANGE IN THE WAR POLICY.
WASHINGTON, May 10.-President
Mckinley and his cabinet at the spe-
cial war council held yesterday decid-
ed upon several important changes in
war policies. Gen Merriam is to go to
the head of the Philippine relief corps
and Gems. Shafter, Wade, Coppinger
and Lee will be among the first to
land in Cuba. The latest war plans of
the cabinet meet the approval of the
war and naval boards of strategy, be-
cause action is promised on both land
and sea. As now suggested by the
orders given and being carried out
the president proposes:
Flrst-To annihilate the Spanish navy on the
Atlantic, even If It is necessary TO cross the
sea
Second-To begin at once the land movement
against Cuba with force so large that the fall
Of Havana and the complete surrender OF Span
lsh rule in the island is assured before the
rainy season.
Thrd-To back up Adm. Dewey with men
and arms sufficient TO subjuRate all the Spanish
in the various groups OF the Philippines and to
do these several things regardless of the money
and men they may require.
Fourth-To provide for the military occupa-
tion OF all the islands captured from Spain and
10 hold them by force of arms until their dis
position has been decided by congress- after
the war is at an end
The determination to send big army
into Cuba, which is an entire change
of plans, is due to the reports just re-
ceived from the special agents sent by
Gen. Miles to the insurgents. These
show that the United States cannot
rely upon the insurgent army to whip
the Spaniards. The insurgents are
poorly armed and just now are suf-
fering for food. 1t is the absolute
knowledge of all these which caused
such decided change in the plans
heretofore mapped out. There may be
delay, but it will not be prolonged
BY the latter part of the week, the
regulars will be moving and within
two weeks they will be joined by the
volunteers ordered to mobilize at
Chickamaupa
INVADING ARMY TO CUBA.
WASHINGTON, May 10.-Orders were
issued yesterday for the immediate
mobilization of the volunteer army.
This is n sudden change from the orig
inal programme of the war depart
ment, as it was intended TO muster the
troops in at once and drill them at
home for some weeks prior to order
ing them to the points of mobilization.
At consultation held at Secretary
Ayers residence it was decided to
send an invading force consisting of
GO, 900 men to Cuba at once. This sud
den change of plans of the war
department necessitated calling out
the volunteer army Immediately
and the orders were issued yes
terday. The troops at Chicka-
manga will be the only ones which
will see actual services in Cuba. Those
ordered TO the coast defense and
Washington are not likely to go south,
as their services are required in the
great chain of coast defense reserves
consisting OF 80 regiments. 1t is
stated at the war department that the
regiment recruited at Kansas City will
probably be ordered to Cuba by way
of Chickamauga, as their record as the
Third regiment of Missouri national
guard is sufficient evidence that they
will require but little additional drill
ing. The invading army will prob
ably consist of two divisions, one TO be
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