The evening times., 1898-05-30
The War Fog Lifting.

Last nights advices from CommO-
dore Schley seem to dispose of all doubt
that he has Admiral Cervera tightly
corked up in Santiago harbor, and the
official conviction in Washington that
il is SO will lift the fog which has been
hanging rather ridiculously over the
| war situation for the past month. and
clear the atmosphere for action.
What happened Immediately after re-
ceipt Of the good news makes it evident
that the Government was only waiting
for reliable Information that the power
for mischief of the Cape Verde squad
ron had been destroyed to inaugurate
a forward movement of great impor-
tance. 1t is understood that during the
night orders were sent to General Shaf-
ter to begin the embarkation Of a con-
siderable expedition of regulars and
volunteers at once, and as soon as that
could be done to proceed to sea with
sealed orders. under convoy Of Admiral
Sampson.
What this may mean exactly We do
not pretend TO say. because We do not
know. The reticence of the war powers
is absolute on such matters, and prop
erly so. We are glad that We can only
theorize concerning the movement. II
We had any definite insight into its pur-
pose patriotism would compel US to re-
main silent. As We are at liberty, how
ever, to indulge in conjecture, We may
state that a good many people familiar
with military and naval strategy be-
hi t. CO. tt,rv d.
Cuba by land, or else to attack Cien-
fuegos and there establish base of
operations. In the first event, it might
be hoped that. to completely isolate
Cervera and secure a position from
which to shell his anchorage from the
heights of the bay. would lead to his
surrender and enable US to capture
all or most of his vessels practically
intact. We do not entertain any such
opinion. The Spanish admiral might in
deed abandon his ships and take to the
woods with his officers and crews. if
he found himself helplessly trapped and
certain of destruction: but he is not the
man We take him to be IL he would not
first arrange to blow up and sink his
squadron rather than see it added to
the strength of the American Navy
The hypothesis of a descent on Cien-
fuegos seems more tenable. 1t has only
one intrinsically deterrent feature. 1t
is said that Blanco could concentrate
twenty-five thousand troops at the
place nearly as soon as that many Of
our forces could be landed and ready
for the assault. The railway between
Havana and Cienfuegos, approximately
one hundred and fifty or sixty miles
long. is in working order. the Cuban
patriots being without dynamite since
the blockade to destroy its bridges and
trestles Perhaps this has been dis
counted and provided against. If so.
the operation would be comparatively
easy.
Although it is certain that Mr.. Nc
Kinley is much chagr,ned at the slow |
ness with which the volunteers are be- |
ing armed and equipped, it is equally |
sure that he sees the necessity for the |
speedy capture and occupation Of Cuba |
and Porto Rico. As to the latter, its |
possession would deprive Spain of a |
naval and coaling base of immeasurable |
value. and render future sea move |
ments in Antillean waters impractica-
BILE on any extended scale. We are,
therefore. justified in believing that the
week will be pregnant with events. and
that it will witness the beginning nf
that end for which the country Is look
ng with patriotic fervor and anxiety.