The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1898-07-15
THE WAR SITUATION
No Forward Movement in Absolute
ly Immediate Contemplation.
CONFERENCE ON ATTACKING SANTIAGO
Confidence Expressed That There VIII He
No Friction Between Army and Navy
Coumanders-watson squadron
to lie Rushed After Camara.

WASHINGTON, July by COMPARE
son with what has gone before, yes
terday was very quiet at the war and
navy departments. There were bulle-
tins posted in the former department.
but there were none of more recent
date than Tuesday, and so far from
indicating an impending battle, the
general tendency of these bulletins
was to show that no forward move
ment is in absolutely immediate con-
temptation.
Confidence Is felt that there will be
no friction between the army and navy
commanders, and that the conference
between them will result in an agree
ment upon joint plan for the prose-
cution of the campaign. In the event
that this belief should be not well
founded, the president is prepared to
act himself, by orders from first hand.
There is much of force in the naval
argument that, if Admiral Sampson is
obliged to enter Santiago harbor be-
fore the forts are captured, he will
jeopardize the safety of the whole
ironclad fleet under his command,
since, by the sinking of one of these
ships in the narrow channel through
Spanish mine or shell, the fleet would
be left helpless and exposed to de-
struction under the guns of the forts,
to which they could make no reply
owing to the elevation of the latter
On the other hand, the army officers
seem to be justified in avoiding the
tremendous sacrifice of life that would
be involved in again trying our SOL
diers upon the Spanish defenses until
they have been materially reinforced
in numbers and strengthened by ar
tillery.
Admiral Sampson did not report yes
terday at the navy department, but
the war department sent over very
agreeable message from Shafter an
nouncing the readiness of the Span
iards TO exchange Hobson and his men.
IT is believed that this was accom-
plished some time during the day,
though notice of it has not been re-
ceived.
The fact that several of the vessels
selected for Watson's fleet were in the
thick of the engagement of July 3
promises to delay somewhat the de-
parture of the eastern squadron for
| the shores of Spain. The vessels have
consumed a good deal of coal and
dou otless have expended large guam
| tity of their highest grade of ammu-
milton in the furious attack on the
steel warships of the Spaniards. IL
will be necessary to replenish these
stores before the long ocean voyage is
begun. However, Secretary Long has
| given rush orders for the preparation
/ of this squadron, and it certainly will
be off in the course of few days.
The navy department was advised
yesterday that the Camara squadron
was passing through the Suez canal,
and as the vessels must have paid the
heavy toll required in advance the in
dications are now regarded as con-
elusive that the ships are actually
bound for the Philippines This be-
lief stimulates the preparations here
for Watsons sailing, He will strike
straight after Admiral Camara, who,
in the end, is doomed to be caught be-
tween Watson and Dewey.
Secretary Long regarded the report
that the Alphonso MI. had been de-
stroyed while trying to run the Havana
blockade as the best news of the day.
1t had not come to him in any direct
or official way, but through report
from Gen. Greedy, chief signal officer,
who had received cipher message
stating briefly that the Spanish ship
had been overhauled near Mariel
while trying to get through the block
ade and was n total loss as u result OF
the fire upon her. The Alphonso XII,
was an iron gunboat with one screw,
one funnel and one military mast;
barque rugged, $50 feet long, As feet
beam and 10 feet draft. She had a
displacement of 3, 900 tons She carried
Is large guns and five torpedo tubes.
Her officers and crew numbered $40
Secretary Long is quite hopeful that
several of the Spanish ships of the Ger
vera squadron can be saved, in part al
least, and possibly as a whole. AS
sistant Secretary Allen shares in this
belief, and thinks that the Cristobal
Colon can be got off the rocks as al
entirety, and the hull, upper work:
and guns can be made available. She
was the best armored cruiser in the
Spanish navy, and if she can be foateC
and repaired will make valuable &C
qLisition to the American navy. Mr.
Allen is hopeful also that the Vizcayi
and Oquendo can be saved in part
Two large wrecking vessels left Nor
folk yesterday to begin work upon The
Colon, Vizcaya and Oquendo,
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