New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-05-12
NOT TO ATTACK PORTO RICO.
ORDERS SENT TO SAMPSON.
DIRECTED TO HOLD HIS FLEET FOR
FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS.
PREPARATIONS FOR THE INVASION OF CUBA AND
THE EXPEDITION TO MANILA PRAc-
TIcAILY COMPLETED. :
fBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBrNE.1

tBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TniBrSE1
Washington May 11.-Although no additional
confirmation was received to-day OF the news
from London that the Spanish squadron which
left the Cape Verd Islands two weeks ago had
returned to Cadlz, the belief has greatly
strengthened in official circles that cruise to
Porto Rican or Cuban waters was never very
seriously contemplated by Admiral Villamil NO
" ord bas reached the Navy Department from
Acting Admiral Sampson since the fleet under
his command was sighted off the north coast OF
San Domingo, but the failure Of any OF the
swift scouting cruisers sent in advance to dis
cover any traces Of the Spanish squadron and
the non-appearance Of the Spanish men-of-war
at any Of the usual coaling and supply stations
Of the Windward group have almost convinced
the naval authorities here that the Spanish
commander has thought discretion TO be the bet
ter part Of valor and has actually sought the
refuge Of a home port.
TO RE RECALLED TO CUBA.
As the capture Of Porto Rico at this time has
been held by the President and his advisers to
be Of little or no strategic importance, compli-
eating instead Of simplifying the task Of reduc-
ing Havana and expelllng the Spanish land
forces from Cuba, 1t has been virtually decided.
as soon as the absence Of the Cape Verd squad
lcn from West Indian waters is definitely es-
tablished, to recall to Cuba the greater part Of
Acting Admiral Simpsons fleet. Cable dis
PATCHES instructing the American commander
to make no attack at present on San Juan, but
TO await further orders off Porto Rico, have
been sent to tie various cable stations In the
Wndward group, and will doubtless De oe-
livered within the next day or two.
Tbaro &c NJ coursa no Immediate demand for
the services Of the whole Key West feet before
Havana The smaller menof-war left behind
by Acting Admiral Sampson are competent to
protect the passage OF the landing expedition
from Tampa and to cover the Judgement OF the
invading army on the Cuban coast. But should
an effort to reduce the fortifications Of Havana
from the water side be thought necessary, the
heavier fighting ships now off Porto Rico would
have TO be called on to undertake the lombard
ment; while if the Vizcaya, the Almirante
Oouendo, the Maria Teresa and the Cristobal
Colon should after all have passed unnoticed
into the Caribbean Sea and should appear un-
expectedly off the west end Of Cuba, the pres
cree Of the full Key West feet In that neigh
be rhood would he found indispensable to beat
off the assaants and maintain communications
with the American forces already landed.
PLAN OF OPERATIONS IN CUBA.
Though Monday is the date now set for the
departure Of the first division OF regulars from
Tampa 1t would create no great surprise II the
troops were detained on Florida soil few days
longer. TO take advantage of the comparative
dryness OF May prompt start ana sharp!y
directed campaign against Havana are consld-
cred advisable. But II seems certain that the
volunteers who are 10 follow the regulars 70
Cuba cannot be assembled on the Gulf Coast In
fit condition for field work within the next two
weeks so that actual operations in Cuba VIII
scarcely be possible before May % BY that
tine. too. all doubts about the disposition OF the
Sranish naval forces will have been solved, and
Acting Admiral SIMPSONS reunited fleet can be
employed to cooperate with the American land
forces in pushing the siege of the Cuban cap
ital.
OCCUPATION OF THE PHILIPPINES
Preparations for the military occupation OF the
Philippines are now complete. MaJor-General
Wesley Merritt is TO have the honor OF leading
the expedition TO the Far East which Is TO
start from San Francisco and Is to become the
Military Governor OF the rich Asiatic colony
Just wrestcd from Spain. The strength OF Gen.
eral Merrtt's army Of occupation has been al
most doubled by orders issued to-day by the
War Department. which add TO the fTces al.
ready selected to go TO Admiral Dewey's assist
ance the volunteer quotas from the States of
Colorado. Kansas. Missouri, Nebraska, North
Dakota and South Dakota. These troops, COM
biz ed with the quotas from California, Oregon.
Washington Idaho and Utah. will bring the
strength OF the volunteers under General Mer-
rtt up TO more than fifteen thousand men, d.
vided into fifteen infantry regiments, one cav
airy regiment and five batteries Of artillery.
Probably 1000 or 2.5o0 regulars can also be
slared for the Philippines expedition. Ii 10
proposed TO send a portion Of these forces TO
sea within the next three or four days, and Gen.
eral Merritt will follow with the remainder as
soon as they can be assembled and organized.
The cruiser Charleston will not wait 10 convoy
the transport steamers. She Is 10 sail ar once
for Manila with renforcements in men. sup
plies and ammunition
NO ATTACK on DEWEY FEARED.
No serious weight Is attached here 10 the sug-
ceston that Spain will send fleet through tns
Suez Canal to attack Admiral Deweys forces
in the Philippines. Ii Is not considered likely
that the Spanish Government would strip i's
home ports OF adequate protection in order to
undertake the reconquest OF distant colony.
which could be held only at the sacrifice OF ma
tional interests in every other quarter OF the
world Moreover. with Government and Cab
met engrossed in n struggle for political exist
ence at home. Spain is scarcely in position 10
pursue for the present any but defensive and
negative naval and military programme.
SUPPLIES FOR THE TWO EXPEDITIONS.
Washington. May I.--Preparations vis-
ble particularly In the quartermaster's and
commissary branches Of the War Department.
for the expeditions for Cuba and the Philippines.