The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-05-18
SEVERE CRITICISMS
MANILA'S PEOPLE MAY SUFFER
FROM OUR DELAY.
GENERAL MERRlTIs SUGGESTION
A Larger Number Of Trained Troops Needed
for the Expedition to the Philippines
The WinsIow is Severely
Damaged.

UaflaEeOs
Washington, May 1.-THE offieia
bulletin boards today failed to yield tht
news of the movements of either of TIM
three fleets, SIMPSONS Schley's and tn,
Spanish Flying Squadron, and there i
reason to believe that the department it
self has received no information on that
point. The department officials are be
ginning to show little sensitiveness tc
criticism in the matter of delay in bring
ing the Spanish fleet into action, CON
scious as they are that they have made
all dispatch compatible with due regard
for the safety of our own ports as well
as OF the lives Of the crews of our war
ships. Every day there is talk of a
change in the naval plans brought about
by some movement of the Spanish
squadron, but what the latest phase OF
campaign is nobody outside of the mem
bers of the War Board is competent 70
say. The general impression today is
thai no particular effort is to he made
just now to pursue the Spaniards so
long as they keep within the confines Of
the Gulf Of Mexico and the Caribbean
sea, but that Sampson and Schley in
combination win encircle the island Of
Cuba. maintain the blockade, and con-
vay troops across the Florida straits if
necessary, meanwhile simply keeping
watch on the Spanish Flying Squadron
TO see that II does not do mischief tn
either the American fleet. or by escaping
to the Atlantic to the seaboard cities.
by this plan the military and naval Off
cials might hope TO silence the rather
severe criticisms that are being ex-
pressed because of delays in opening
the military campaign in Cuba itself.
Considerable pressure has come upon the
administration from Congressional quar-
ters to have the campaign hastened. and
there are thought to be signs of re.
sumption of the plans of the military
leaders for the invasion of Cuba mt the
point where they were suspended by the
announcement of the arrival of the
Spanish Flying Squadron at Martinique.
One sign of this was the inclusion in the
regular army orders Of direction to
Capt. Alger to go to Tampa to join Gen
cral Miles. At army headquarters there
was no sign Of immediate departure. but
after all, in view of the fact that three
times ut least he has prepared for a
movement to Tampa. it may be presume
cd that everything is ready for depar-
tnre ut short notice without open mani
festati0n of preparations.
The department processes to feel nc
apprehension that Admiral Dewey ol
his mon are in any wise endangered by
their occupation of Manila harbor on the
present basis, but this cannot be said Of
the unfortunate inhabitants of Manila
oif4
dnly. 1t is no small matter to organize
and transport an expedition OF $4,000 OF
l3.WpO soldiers six thousand miles across
the sen at short notice. The indicatious
are that within a week some of the sol
diers at least will he on their way from
San Francisco, following the Charleston
which is expected to leave at any mo.
ment with few supplies most urgently
needed by the Admiral
There are indications that the War
Department has been brought to see the
wisdom and fairnes of the suggestions
thrown out by Major General Merritt
that his expedition should consist Of moi
less than $1,000, and that at least third
or them should be seasoned troops from
the regular army capable Of meeting on
even terms the veteran Spanish soldiers
who garrison Manila. To endeavor tc
overcome the Spanish force with less
fhan half their number Of troops would
seem to be n senseless proceeding, in
view OF the fact that there is no necessi
y l0r such a course. General Merritt
TOOK occasion to deny very emphatically
me accuracy of certain newspaper in
ierViews published this morning. which
placed MN IN the position Of refusing tC
OBEY an order to proceed to the Philip
pines, because his force was insufficient
Inc officials at the department upor
seeing these publications did NOT hoeitaf r.
10 express at once their belief that Cen
efai Merritt was too good q soldier I,
fefuse 10 obey lawful order aItbouoI
they admitted that he might have oe
ne did to-day through Inspector Gan.
eral Hughes, member of his staef enc
gest the prOpriety Of an increase ia III
number and a betterment in the onolitY
Of the soldiers to be assigned IA h;s
command 'F
Reports received here from Key waet
shows that the condition Of the little FOR
pedo boat Winslow. is much worse tina,
was supposed and it win be necessary II
ali probability TO have her come to Nor
folk Tor repairs. One shot mashed he,
low pressure starboard cylinder, an,
another traversed one of her boilers. /
would be possible to get along under on
boiler and reduce the starboard enein,
from qnadruple to a triple expansion
hut the efficiency of the boat would n
very much lowered thereby.
Following few days late upon tn
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