Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-05-18
GENERAL WAR SITUATION.
CONTINUED from page ~

| Alger to go to Tampa to Gen. Miles.
At army headquarters there was no
sign of immediate departure, but in
view of the fact that three times at
least, everything has been prepared
for a movement to Tampa, it 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 anywise endangered by
their occupation of Manila harbor on
the present basis, but this cannot be
said of the unfortunate inhabitants OF
Manila, if the present situation is IN
duly protracted.
1t is no small matter to organize ana
transport an expedition of $4,000 or 10,
900 soldiers 5000 miles across the sea.
at short notice, and the indications are
that within week some of the soldiers
at least will be on their way from San
Francisco following the Charleston.
which is expected to leave at any mo-
ment with few supplies most urgent
~ needed by Admiral Dewey.
There are indications that the war
department has been brought to see the
wisdom and fairness of the suggestions
thrown out by Gen. Merritt that his
| expedition should consist of not less
than 1900 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.
To endeavor to overcome the Spanish
force with less than half 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.
Gen. Merritt took occasion to deny
very empha tcally the accuracy of GER
tain 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 insufficient.
The officials at the department upon
seeing these publications, did not hest
tate to express at once their belief that
Gen Merritt was too good soldier to
refuse to obey lawful order, although
they admitted that ne might have, as
he did. today, through Inspector
General Hughes, a member of his stail
suggest the propriety of an increase III
the number and a betterment in the
quality of the soldiers to be assigned
to his command.
Reports received here from Key West
show that the condition Of the httie
torpedo boat Winslow is much worse
than was supposed and it will be prob
Norfolk for repairs. One shot smashed
her low pressure starboard cylinder
ard another traverscd one of her boil
ers. 1t would be possible to get along
under one boiler and reduce the star
board engine from a quadruple to
triple expansion, but the efficiency OF
the boat would thereby be very mucf
lowered.
Following a few days later the new:
of the terrific assault on the Winston
and her disabement, came through The
mails an official report from Command
er McCalla, Of an engagement the little
boat was in a day or two before sh'
came to grief. 1t reflects great crcdI
rpon the officers and men of the Graf
e and was promptly made public by the
navy department. 1t read as follows
UNITED States steamship Machias
off Cardenas, May II. 1885, Thu
. Machias, Wilmington, Hudson an'
; Winslow proceeded in as far as TIL
h Instructions would allow. The Ma
% chias took up position about POO yard
> northeast of Diana Cay. The vii
If mington with the Hudson and WinsioV
proceeded To enter inc lHiiNi lloti 80
70 between Romero and Blanco Gays
l. where I felt certain there were n
~ mines, depth Of water by the chart be
N ing tx fathoms. The vessels found n
II trouble in entering and were sool
l. steaming into Cardenas bay
Il opened fire on Diana Cay sigma
10 station and sent the launch With En-
n sign Willard in charge to take posses
u sion Of the station, find the wires an
e. explode the mines. if possible, or Gu
l. them. No wires were found, however
ALTHOUGH strict search was made 70
st them on the island and by dredgin
> around it.
" Mr. Willard accomplished the wor
~ in an excellent manner destroying til
station and all government property
- which had been abandoned in a Yer
hurried manner, and as a signal of hi
success hosted the American flag o
the signal station and brought o