The Red Cloud chief., 1898-05-20
WASHINGTON T
WASHINGTON, u. c., Ma

II citucI Auulitui OuiupoOu Wv hio
fleet fresh from the destruction of the
Notifications in the harbor at San
Juan, Porto Rico, or Commodore
Schley, with the flying squadron,
which is itching for a chance to dis.
tinguish itself. can meet and fight the
Spanish Cape Verde fleet this week the
end Of the wal will he in sight. There
is no doubt that either Sampson or
Schley can crush the Spanish fleet, il
they a only get at it, but there is a
doubt about their getting at it. The
Spanish fleet has been playing now-you-
see.it and now.yOu.don't.see.it. 1t is
now thought to be trying to get to
Cuba without fighting either Of our
big fleets. II it succeeds, the war will
be considerably prolonged, and that is
evidently what Spain desires, in the
hope that il the war is prolonged some
other European power will get mixed
up in it. Owing to the superior speed
of the vessels composing the Spanish
fleet, they will have the choice of fight.
ing or running should they be met by
either of our fleets. The most formid.
able fighters in both II ileets-the
monitors and battle-ships-are too
slow to keep up with the Spanish fleet,
if it desires to run ava without fight
ing. 1t is only a question Of time when
every ship in this Spanish fleet will be
either captured or destroyed; II they
fight our fleet it will be Immediately
II they get into a Cuban harbor it viii
be a matter OF a few weeks. Thi.
week will tell which.
-
The blockade of Cuba, which during
the past few days has been accom-
panied by some stirring fighting
which we got the best Of, besides cut.
ting two important Spanish cables,
will be continued, but the landing o,
the army in Cuba has been postponed
until after the Spanish fleet has beer
wiped out.
~
A very distinct reminder of the civi
war is the moreor less active, although
of course, not open criticism of thu
civilian stail appointments made b.
President Mckinley, which is hear,
among army officers aud their friends
Among the appointments especial.
criticised rs having been made solel.
because of social influences are tn
following; John Jacob Astor; win
knows nothing whatever about militar'
affairs and some say very little abou
anything, to be- inspector general wit
the rank of lieutenant colonel; Jane
Il. Blaine, who has tried and failed il
about as many things as possible, an,
who doesn't know enough about tactic
TO be a corporal, to be assistant adju
tant general with Il rank of captain
Russell ID. Harrison, whose escapadcs
business and otherwise, doubtless add
ed many gray hairs 10 his fathers hea,
to be assistant inspector general with
rank of major; Charles Is. Miller, who's
appointment Is due solely to his fathe
being an old friend of the president
Fred w, Alger, who is the son of
soldier, Secretary Alger, and VIII
makes his military debut rs assistan
adjutant general with II rank Of CAP
tain; q. Creighton Webb, closely con
nected with the Vanderbilt family
John A. Logan, whom the governor c
Illinois declined TO make n coloue
Lloyd Carpenter Griscom, son of tn
president of the American Steamshi
line; j. Is, Foraker, DR., son OF Senate
Foraker; Larz Anderson, a social swe
of Washington, and Rush Huidekope
Newport veterinary surgeon, all {
whom have become captains or major