The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-06-08

Washington, June 7.-Starting out with
q strong belief that there had been nothing
in the nature OF a serious engagement be-
tween SIMPSONS forces and the Spanish
defenses at Santiago the navy department
officials. as the day wore on and the full
and detailed reports OF the Associated Press
from its correspondents with the feet began
TO flow in, were compelled 10 modify their
view, and when the day closed they were
about ready TO admit that though without
official information on the subject 1t was
evident that Sampson had made a strong
attack upon the Spanish forces. The ons
point upon which they maintained their
position was that no troops had been land
ed. They were prepared to admit that
Sampson might be clearing the way with
his big guns for the landing OF the troops
or that possibly some marines had been
landed temporarily, but that forces had
been put ashore they would not admit for
the reason that no information had reached
the war department of the actual departure
OF soldiers from the gulf ports for Cuba
II IS not denied. however. that every
thing Is making 10 put troops in Cuba at
me earliest possible moment and this is
believed Will be soon accomplished. The
reason for this belief is found in the ad-
mission by officials that the troops have
been under orders TO embark for some
time past. The difficulty that presented
Itself was the absence OF absolute neces-
saIy supplies, which in most cases were
stored away in some OF the thousands Of
freight cars that blockaded the railroad
tracks many miles out from Tampa.
The orders that went forward yesterday
we're OF character 10 force a speedy
breaking OF the deadlock and ii the troops
now have their supplies. which is believed
10 be the case. there is no reason why
they should no. sail at once for Santiago.
BY the newspaper reports OF the breach
Sampson has made In the coast defense
there, there is every reason to believe that
little difficulty will be found in the actual
doharkation OF the troops, particularly il
marines are already ashore 10 guard the
landing. suspicion IS entertained in
some quarters that Sampson has FASTENED
IN his movements at Santiago by the news
OF the intended departure OF the troops
from Tampa and made the attack in order
that the navy alone might have the honor
OF erecling the first occupation o. Cuban
soil.
II Is likely the first troops OF the reg
uiar army TO take up position ashore will
be the engineer battalion, although they
they carry that they must be DELAYED in
nehinS landing. These guns. by the wav
taying been Of infinite trouble for the
transports that were hastily chartered
Nh.eh we're so light as 10 require great
cttl OF strengthening before the great
masses Of steel could be safely placed ic
them :"
TIE eyicat of SIMPSONS attack On the
santiago detenses has brought out one fact
~.
ucalty unlimited rover as TO the charae
teF OF an attack and that n is unhampereJ
oy restrictions from Washington The *
act nature OF his order has never hean
maze public. but naval official In a posi
lion 10 know, says Admiral Sampson hal
greater power conferred upon him than ma
T.ei heeh given 70 any commander in chief.
IL was Tor MIN to decide on the time for
an attack and the place and manner al ia
execution He may attack bsfore tronns
arrive, or. in his discretion act without
tAe cooperation 81 troops. Or il cire,;n
stances warrant he may refrain FROM anv
operations In short II IS said thai Ad-
nifai sampson is complete master of the
tactical and strategic operations nv me
haNai force off Santiago de Cuba This IS
IN line With the policy approved Inv m.
hiEntst naval authorities
The cruiser Buffalo, lately the Nictbaroy
o, the Brazilian navy, arrived in Hamilton
hosns today directly from Brazil The yrs-
sci, 1t Is learned. is not yet actually ON the
Nrptfd states naval list she has ben ae-
CURED subject 10 certain conditions that
k4il doubtless be stsicsly fulfilled b. the
brazilian government, but which have nor
been met They ere that the shin must ha
turned over in good condition IS to hun and
machinery The ordnance will be st,opiied
by the United States government in the
shope OF ten slx-ineh rapid-fire guns now
ready 10 be put in the shin.
The death OF Captain GFidley h1s re-
moved one OF the officsrs set down for adj
vanee'reSi over their selrors on ae,ouut o.
the Manila victory. The promotlons re>om-
mended by the president are the subject Of
much TAX bstween naval officers Those
VINO Old not participate in the battle are
naturally dispieased al being Jumped ard
are pointing out the evils OF the practice.
anong ;htEn being the probability that some
of ths very officers advanced are likely h
ne IN turn jumped and SO practically 81
back ~ some Of the officers now on duty
with SIMPSONS fleet who may digtiueu,s
tneins elves In battle. Officers are urging
that II would be only pruseat and fair 10
go slowly in the matter or making promo
CONS Of this character until the war "A