The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-05-26
Leads all 1er North Carolina 088 in B0h News and Circulation

even if it were contemplated. The re-
port that General Miles and his staff
would leave tonight, was specifically de-
MED. although it is probable the com
manding general will leave for the south
at an early day.
At the close of the day at the navy
department, the situation as to the
fleets both American and Spanish, was
precisely as it was this morning, so far
as the officials know. the only notable
difference being an apparent strengthen
ing of the confidence of the officials in
their belief that Cervera's squadron is
living in the Santiago harbor. In this
hope and belief the officials found great
comfort, knowing the abilities of the
American naval commanders in Cuban
waters to keep the Spanish admiral bot
tied uD in this narrow-necked harbor,
until he shall surrender or be starved
out. If Cervera is actually at bay. the
officials feel not the slightest apprehen-
sion of any relief coming to him from
the outside in the shape of another Span
sh squadron from Cadiz. The reason
for this belief is their unquestioned abili-
ty to hold Cervera in check with only Il
few vessels perhaps, couple of monitors
and torpedo boats, thus leaving the re-
mainder of the big armOred fleet to take
care of any reinforcements that might
attempt to come from Spain to Cervera' Is
aid. The force that could be spared for
this service without endangering the
integrity of the blockade at Havana or
permitting the escape of Cervera, would
be much larger than the entire Spanish
naval force now in Spanish waters, ca
pable of crossing the Atlantic.
Within the past few weeks, or in fact
ever since the determination was posi-
lively reached to invade Cuba before the
| dry season, next fall, there have been
published intimations that the delay, OF
what appeared to be the delay, in begin
ming the invasion was attributable to
the navy.
1t can be stated OH the highest au-
thority that the impression thus created
is wholly unjust to the navy and
| without warrant in fact. The naval Of
| ficers, one and all, take special pride
in the degree Of readiness in which the
| navy was found at the outbreak OF
| hostilities, and there never has been a
moment even when Simpsons forces
were at Porto Rico. when the navy was
not prepared on instant order to aid the
| army Neither has the army been at
| fault in this matter 1t was at first
proposed to throw Il small force of men
about 10000. into Cuba imediately. and
allow the remainder of the army of oc
| cupation to wait until next fall before
| going over. There were various rea'
sons for abandoning this plan. such as
| the discovery of the Insufficient support
that could be rendered the American
/ force by the insurgents: the fact was
brought out with appalling force that t.
delay the campaign meant the absolute
| determination of the starving recon
centrados. and there were beside Other
reasons for making haste. These con
| Siderations caused Il complete change il
the army plans, and that involved delay
To equip an army Of 100000 men il
| thirty days and put them in condition
to fight trained veteran soldiers on their
own soil was no small undertaking, sc
that in the opinion of some of the high
est officers of the administration, there
is no reasonable grounds for pressing
| the criticism that there is or has been
| undue delay in beginning the military
| campaign. either ou the part of the
army or navy.
| Recommendation has been made that
contracts be awarded for supplying the
armor for the three battlcships under
construction as follows: To the Car
negie Company. 1.153 tons for the
Illinois and 2.55S.7G tons for the Wis
consin. Bethlehem, 1.405 tons for the
Illinois and 2,55S tons for the Alabama,
all at 400 per ton.