Evening star., 1898-06-28
AT THE WHITE HOUSE
Shafter Will Not Attack Until
Reinforcements Arrive.
The EXPEDITION TO SPAIN
No Uneasiness is Felt About Ad-
miral Dewey.
SOME OF TODAY'S CALLERS

TodayS cabinet session was not a long
one, and the situation was not discussed in
detail. Secretary Long and Secretary Alger
reported the latest news from the front
The administration view does not fore
shadow an attack on Santiago before three
or four days. Nearly every member of
the cabinet believes that the attack is to
be delayed until Gen. Shafter gets all of
his heavy guns to the front and until re-
inforcements which have been sent him
arrive. According to the official view
there will be no serious fighting before
Saturday or Sunday unless the Spaniards
become the aggressors. The suppositon is
that they will remain on the defensive, and
that Gen. Shafter will not make the at
tack until he has everything in shape for
winning.
General Pando's Movements.
A good deal of talk has been indulged
in recently as to Gen. Pando's movements.
Some of the military experts here think
that he may attempt flank movement to
surprise Gen. Shafter and to get posses
sion of the American base of supplies.
Could he do this he would deal the Amer
lean forces blow from which they would
not soon recover. The information re-
ceived here, however is that Gen. Shat
which be made only on one side. A
good force of Cubans has been thrown out
in the direction the movement of Pando
would have to come from. Gen. Pando.
who is described as the best of the Span
ish fighters, was at Holqun, 100 miles
VI est of Santiago, but Is now near San
tiago. By marching to the north of San
tiago he could attempt a flank movement.
Gen. Skaters base Of supplies is guarded
by two regiments, and in addition has the
protection of the war vessels. This force
ought to be sufficient to protect the Amer
leans
The Expedition to Spain.
The expedition of Commodore Watson to
Spain was talked over. The intention OF
the administration is to get the fleet away
as soon as possible. Secretary Long said
that no time would be lost. 1t is not
thought likely the fleet can leave for Spain
in less than week, as full provisions have
to be made. By that time Cervera may
have capituated or been captured. If this
should prove to be the case a stronger
squadron than now assigned will be sent
to Spanish shores. Should the defeat of
Cervera be delayed longer than a week
Commodore Watson will go on with the
vessels assigned to him. He will be joined
later by a squadron under Commodore
Schley. This combined squadron will be
one which will make a good showing in
European waters. 1t will be able to whip
everything Spanish a1oat and to attack the
best fortified cities.
No Uncasfness About Dewey.
Cabinet officials continue to assert that
there is no uneasiness as to Rear Admiral
Dewey. Secretary Long said, at the close
of the cabinet meeting, that the American
commander was able to defeat the Spanish
squadron headed for the Philippines. The
dispatch boat McCulloch has arrived at
Hong Kong from Manila, but if there was
anything from Admiral Dewey it was not
made public and was not read in the cab
met session. 1t is thought that the Nc
Culloch left about the time the first eXpe-
dtion was due at Manila. A week may
now elapse before Dewey is again heard
from.
Secretary Long said today that he be-
lieves the expedition which left San Fran
cisco yesterday can get to Manila ahead OF
the Spanish squadron now at the Suez
canal.
Camp AlEer Troops Arrive.
Secretary Alger, going to the cabinet
meeting today, said that his department
terday of the troops on board the Yale.
The 33d Michigan and a battalion of the
18th Michigan went from Camp Alger to
Newport News, where they went on board
the Yale. Secretary Alger expects to soor
receive report of the safe arrival at Bal
quart of the troops which left Camp Alger
a few days ago.
Some of TOday's Callers.
Ex-Secretary Lamont and Senator Hanna
were among President McKinleys visitors
today. They went to the White House to-
gether. General Grosvenor was also g.
caller.
Senator Deboe Of Kentucky, today, pre-
sented Latham Anderson to the President
as a candidate for paymaster in the army
Mr.. Anderson is nephew of Major Ander-
son of Fort Sumter fame and has strong
backing for the position he seeks
Senators Spooner and Fairbanks and
Representatives Hit and Newlands saw
the President about affairs in their respec-
tive states.
Gen. John M. Wilson and Gen. Craig
hill were visitors.