The times., 1898-04-27

ply, which is very difficult campaign.
The Asintfc Squadron.
The latest news from the Pacific ocean
is that the Asiatic squadron is off the
coast of the PHILIPPINES and ready to
strike blow at almost any moment.
The department will make no statement
as to the orders that have been given the
fleet but it is believed that it has re-
ceived instructions to engage the Span
ish fleet.
There are thus two possibilities of naval
battles. one off the Atlantic coast Of
America and one at the Philippines. 1t
is not too much to say that the attention
OF the Government has been quite con-
siderably turned away from Cuba for the
moment.
The plans for Cuba are developing also
however.
The marines that are to form the
landing force of the blockading squad
ron off Cuba left for Key West on the
Panther yesterday. The trip will prob
ably be made by Friday. There are $50 of
the marines on board.
II is the understanding that they will
be sent Immediately to the squadron and
that they Will be the first force to land
on Cuban soil This landing may be
made Saturday The landing place is
still believed to be MatanZas
There is nothing further to be learned
as to the first landing of the Army on
the island but il is believed that the ma
rnes will hold the fort taken with the
help of the squadron until Monday or
some later day next week when the
troops may be transferred from Tampa
Gen. Shafter to Command.
The plan for this landing of troops is as
told in The Times yesterday morning.
/ Gen. Shafter is to command the troops, il
is said. He is on his way TO this city
! from New Orleans and will be here TO-
day or tomorrow. He will have a con-
sultation with Secretary Alger and Gen
( Schofield and will then proceed imme-
diately TO the South again. He VIII take
/ 5000 troops with him across the Gulf and
will make the landing at Matanzas at the
! opening that has been made for him
/ II is the intention not to have any bat
! tie unless il is forced on him. The fool,
/ will be distributed and the army will re-
main on the island waiting for the fur
/ ther development of its subjugation that
/ the Administration may take up perhaps
soon and perhaps not until Fall. Mean
] while Gen Gomez will be furnished with
/ arms for his army and will recommence
f. his own campaign, that has been some
what in allegiance during the last three or
] TOUR H4oulliS OWING 10 RICK Oh WIZ mate
rial.
1t may be stated positively, on excel
lent authority that the President hopes
and indeed believes that the Cubans will,
with this aid, be able TO accomplish the
I entire conquest of the island from the in
terror. If this can be done there will be
no further dispatch of troops from Amerf-
ca. thing which Mr.. Mckinley much de-
sires. The part of the blockading feet
that Will remain around the island will
simply prevent Spain from sending Gen.
Blanco any aid.
All these plans are simply plans how
ever and may be upset by Spain at any
moment. Blanco may fire upon the fieet
from the Havana fortresses Spain's
fleets may combine and attack the Ameri
can feet al Cuba.
The successes of the American Navy
up to the present time comprise the capt
ure of eleven Spanish merchantmen o
various values but aggregating a tota
4 Of nearly three millions. They are: