Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1898-05-12
THE SPANISH FLEET.
Adm. Sampson Has Not Run Across
Tits Whereabouts a Mystery.
u CHANGE IN The war POLICY.
Immediate Action Promised on Both Land
and Sea-An Invading Army tn BE
Sent to Cuba Insurgents Not
to Be Relied Upon.

WASHINGTON, May lO-There is the
best authority for the statement that,
yesterday having passed without a 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
failed to find the enemy at the place
expected, had turned his attention to
the alternative project What this
Is cannot be ascertained. II 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 feet 1t Is now
officially admitted that Adm. Sampson
was with his fleet near Cape Haytien,
on the north coast Of Santo Domingo,
and distance about q 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
1t Is believed at the department that,
II there was gun firing as reported by
merchant vessels, 1t 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,
II Is surmised that. II Sampson does
not strike the Spanish flying squadron,
he may strike blow at Porto Bico
itself.
Its q curious fact that, thus far, the
navy department does not know posi-.
lively where the Spanish feet is, and
II 10 just possible that the vessels may
be away over on the other side of the
Atlantic or OF Cadiz, instead OF being
In SIMPSONS neighborhood in the
West Indies
A CHANGE IN THE WAR POLICY.
WASHINGTON, May lO.-President
Mckinley and his cabinet ut the spe-
cisl war council held yesterday decid-
cd 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 sen. As now suggested by the
orders given and being carried out
the president proposes:
First--I'o annihllate the Spanish navy on the
Atlantic, even II II Is necessary TO cross the
sea
Second--To begin OF once the land movement
against Cuba with force so large that the fall
Of Havana and the complete surrender Of Span
ish rule In the island Is assured before the
rainy season
Third-To back up Adm Dewey with men
end arms sufficient to subiugate oil the Spanish
In the various groups Of the Philippines and to
DO these several things regardless Of the money
and men they may require
F0urth-TO provide for the military occupa-
tion Of oil the islands captured from Spain and
10 hold them by force Of arms until their dis
position has been decided by congress, utter
the war Is at an end
The determination TO send big army
into Cuba, which Is On entire change
Of plans, is due to the reports just re-
ceived from the special agents sent by
Gen. Miles 70 the insurgents. These
show that the United States cannot
rely upon the lnsurgent 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 1t 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
Chickamauga
INVADING ARMY TO CUBA.
WASHINGTON, May 10-Ordcrs were
issued yesterday for the immediate
mobilization Of the volunteer army.
This is sudden change from the orig
inal programme Of the war depart.
ment, as II 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
Alger's residence 1t was decided to
send an invading force consisting Of
\ 90, 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,
rs their services are required in the
great chain Of coast defense reserves
consisting OF 81 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