The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-06-01
SCHLEY AND SAMPSON
GIVEN WIDE LATITUDE.
tnhamperea by Instructions From
Neutrality-suspicious. for TAX
Tag Santiago.

WARRINGTON. May 2i.-TAe signif;-
cant statement was made by cabinet Of
hosr. after foe regular Tuesday meeting
OF the cabinet. thai 10 news had been re-
celved since Monday from Commodore
seaisY direct, and row II was believed that
nothing would be heard for two or three
days at least. This Is taken to mean that
sehiey viii probably await the arrival Of
'roops before undertaking any active move
on Santiago
IL Was plainly ant!ci pa.ed in some quar-
teEs that he might. through some Informal
ton which would tend 10 neutraIixe the
strength OF the ene1y's position. make a
bold atteinpt 10 enter the harbor If San
taso and destroy or capture the Spanish
squadron With the assistance OF a SIN
gle regiment Of United States troops,
which could be even DOW on its way TO his
support, the officials are confident that the
feet can reduce the fortress az the en-
trance TO Santiago harboF and make IN
tsnaole the position OF the Spanish squad
rGa within. OF course, this plan Is based
upon the theory that CerYera will not at
tempt 80 make his escape by d desperate
soTtie al night.
This movement Of Schley Ia un4uestiou-
ably In pursuance OF the presidents policy
to send helping hand TO the starving re-
concentrates. The Spanish squadron
nigh; be kept within Santiago nar5or an
~ the end Of the war without sensibly en-
daugertng any American life. ana because
Of It's distance and isolation from Havana
Santiago city has little 10 attract a mill
tary attack
But lying In tbs very midst of tae IN
snfgent section OF tho Island. the town
would afford a splendid base for the d.stri-
button OF supplies TO the families Of the
insurgents and TO the reconcentrados who
ssiiI drag out miserable existence In the
Interior. Already the president has begun
10 prepare 70 help these people. and the
comm!ssary general OF the army has pre-
pared an estimate OF .S.0ssl coo for the pur-
chase OF sufficient supplies TO feed 10000
reconcentTados for shree months.
For the time being IL Is felt that the real
field OF action Is removed from Washing
ton, and Is centered with the troops now
advancing under orders from here and
with our ships. The time of preparation
has gone by. and IL remains only for the
preparations 10 be carried into actual ef-
feet. A leading naval official poiated TO
his desk. which was clear OF papers and
documents, and remarked that all the
preparatory details were now well along.
and that 50 far the authorities here were
concerned they had only TO wait for tia
execution OF the preparations heretofors
matured. There will continue TO be much
routine detail in the maintenance of the
large military and naval force. but this
Is now in well-estahlished channsls
The more vital feature OF .he campaign
itself has been fully matured. To certain
extent the military and naval operations
VIII be directed from Washington. and ye;.
with Gen. Miles In the South and Admiral
Sampson and Commodore Scb!sy In Gu
ban waters, they VIII hays most to do
With the time and circumstances of at
tack. The commanders. military and ma
val. have been given wide latitude. as the
authorities fully appreciate that battles
cannot be- fought In advance on paper.
All that hls been attempted has been 30
outline a campaign and make he fullest
provision for adequate forces. ample sup
piles and the fullest cooperation between
the navy and army In the successful exc
cution Of The plans. The real blows are for
the commanders to strike. and in the exc
CuIicn OF this part of the pfosr ANNE the
authorities here ran take little part.