The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1898-05-11

Washington, May lit is hard q
tell whether the naval officials were
relieved or disappointed by the news
that came late yesterday afternoon,
to both the navy and state depart
ments, to the effect that the Spanish
flying squadron had arrived at Cadiz,
Spain. The safety of the Oregon from
attack is now completely assured, and
the way is clear for military opera
tions in Cuba without running the risk
of having the occupying army's line of
communication cut off. On the other
hand, 1t is believed that no enduring
peace can be secured until the Spanish
navy has been destroyed, and it now
appears that to do this our sailors
must make up their minds to go after
the Spaniards, task very much more
difficult than that of meeting them
near our own shores.
1t was suggested by some Of the
members of the war board that there
was just possibility that the Spanish
squadron might make quick passage
into the Pacific, through the Suez
canal, and attack Dewey at Manila.
1t Is said that, contrary to the common
understanding, the Suez canal is open
to warships of beligerent powers, so
that if the Spanish choose to take this
course they would have long start OF
any pursuing fleet from our side Of tho
Atlantic. 1t is scarcely believed, how
ever, that the Spanish are willing to
take the great risk of exposing to our
attack their own home ports.
Nothing was heard from Admiral
Sampson yesterday, but there is con-
fident expectation that interesting
news will be coming from his squad
ron within the next II hours. Wheth-
er this means any attack on Porto
Rico or not cannot be learned.
One effect of the retreat of the Span
ish feet has been to hasten even more
the preparations already under full
headway for the dispatching of Mill
tary expeditions to Cuba. 1t also has
caused complete change in the con-
centration plans. There is no longer
opportunity to indulge in extensive
drilling and practice maneuvering.
The regular army troops do not need
these, and are to be thrown at once
into the fray. Many Of the regiments
of the National Guard which are en-
tering the volunteer service are felt
to be sufficiently trained to follow the
regulars Immediately, and the depart
ment has indicated its purpose of dis
patching these volunteer troops direct
ly to the gulf coast for shipment.
The quartermaster general has al
ready gotten under charter 27 mer-
chant steamers for the transport of
troops, and roughly speaking, these
should carry about 10000 men. Others
are being procured as rapidly as possi-
BILE. The plan Of the war department
is to have these vessels assemble at
the different gulf ports, Tampa, Mo-
bile, New Orleans and Galveston, to
take on troops which will be sent
there. The navy department is ex-
pected to furnish conveys for these
Transports which would be absolutely
helpless against Spanish attack. At
this point there are signs of friction.
The navy department insists that to
insure the safety of the convoy of the
troops all Of the transports should
be gathered in one fleet to start from
Tampa, and the navy is likely to pre-
vail in this.
Now that Major General Sewell has
been assigned to command the con-
CeDtration camp at Falls Church, prep
Grations are being rushed to put the
grounds there into shape for the re-
ception Of the volunteers.