The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1898-06-01

WASHINGTON, May sl.-THE SIC
N1FlcANT STATEMENT WAS MADE
BY A CABINET OFFICER AFTER
THE REGULAR TUESDAY MEET
ING OF THE CABINET TO-DAY
THAT NO NEWS HAD BEEN RE
cEIvED SINCE MONDAY MORNING
FROM COMMODORE scHLEY d..
RECTLT. AND THAT NOW 1T WAS
BELIEVED THAT NoTIIINGwoULD
BE HEARD FOR TWO OR THREE
DAYS AT LEAST. THIS IS TAKEN
TO MEAN THAT sCHLEY PRoBA-i
BLY, WILL AWAIT THE ARRIVAL
OF TROOPS BEFORE UNDERTAKE.
ING ANY ACTIVE MOVE ON SAN.
TIAGo.
It is plainly anticipated IN SOME quar-
.ers that ne might, through the possess,
sion Of some information that would
tend 10 neutralize the strength of the
enemy's position make bold attempt
10 enter the harbor OF Santiago and de-
s.rpy or capture the Spanish squadron.
Wifi the assistance Of a single regiment
Of regular United States troops, which
!.is believed Is even now on the way 70
his support. tho officials are confident
that the feet can reduce The forts at the
entrance to Santiago harbor and make
untenable the position OF the Spanish
squadron within. OF course this plan is
based upon the theory that Cervera will
rot attempt to make his escape by q des-
perate sortie at night. This movement
Of Schley's is unquestionably in pursu-
ance OF the Presidents policy to send
tslping hand to the starving recancen-
trados. The Spanish squadron might be
kept within Santiago harbor until the
end Of the war without sens1bly endan-
geHng an American life, and because OF
It's distance and isolation from Havana,
Santiago city has little to attract MILL
:a-J attack.
Arase for Supplies.
But, lying in the very midst Of the In
surgrnt section OF the island, the town
would afford splendid base for the dis
trbution Of supplies to the families OF
the Insurgents and to the reconcentra-
dos who ettll drag out a miserable, ex-
isteace In the interior. Already the
President has begun to prepare to help
these people and the coInmissary gen
etal Of the army has prepared an esti-2
mate Of s5,0O0. 900 for the purchase of
sufficient supplies to feed 150, 900 recon-
centradns for six months. III.
For the time being 1t is felt that the
real field for action is removed from
Washington and Is certered with the
troops, now advancing under orders
from here, and with our ships, The
time OF preparation has gone by and It
remains only for preparations to be car
ried into actual effect. A leading naval
official pointed to his, desk, which was
clear Of papers and documents, and re-
marked that all the preparatory details
were now well along and that so far as
the authorities mere were concerned they
had only TO walt for the execution Of
the preparations heretofore matured.
There will continue to be much routine
detail In the maintenance OF the military
and naval force, but this Is now in the
well established channels. The more
vital feature OF the campaign itself has
been fully matured. To certain extent
the military and naval operations will
be directed from Washington and yet
with General Miles In the south and
Admiral Sampson and Commodore
schley In Cuban waters, they will have
most TO do with the time and circum-
stance OF attack. The commanders.
military and naval. have been given
vide latitude, as the authorities here
!uly appreciate that battles cannot be
fought in advance on paper. AL that
has been attempted Is to outline q CAM
pa!gn and make the fullest provision for
adequate forces, ample supplies, and the
fullest cooperation between the navy
aud army in the successful execution OF
the plans. The real blows are for the
Commanders to strike, and in the e1ecu-
ton OF this part OF the programme the
authorities here can take little part. It
Is for this reason that they regard them
selves now rather as spectators of what
N about 10 occur.
Decla ration OF Eufrnlity. &
The consular reports Issued to-day
contain some additional declarations OF
neutrality, this time from Brazil, Japan.
British Guiana, st. Lucia and Gibraltar.
1t Is noticeable that both Brazil and ia
pan go out OF the way OF the usual for
nal preamble to express regret at the
outbreak OF hostilities between the
United States and Spain. Bermuda
mobiles her original proclamation Of
april %. so as TO make the rule relative
10 supplying provisions. subsistence and
coal 10 belligerent ships conform closely
70 the Very severe English rules on that
subject. The Japanese proclamation IS
Fa'ner remarkable from the great ex-
ictness with which It prescribes the
!,ulea that are to govern japanese sub
1Scts In their dealings with the belliger--.
ehis and the treatment that will be ac-
corded bel!igercnt ships The proclama-
'oh evidently was prepared with great
care and may serve as a model for the
guidance Of diplomats Of oil nations.
The board of naval bureau chiefs Is
trying TO hasten the work Of construc-
uOn 0t the battleships authorized by the
preaGnt naval appropriation bill. The
Illinois type upon which the new yes
teis arc to be constructed, will occupy
tar>@ years in construction. After a
Conference to-day tho bureau chiefs,
Nesnnably With knowledge Of the con-
htrurtlvc ability of tho American ship
yards capable Of Undertaking this work.
tesn!ycd 10 reduce tho time allowed for
building the now ships TO a maximum OF
thrty-two months, 81
Inc navy department bought another
yacht to-day-the 1nauirer-at New
lork, FOR. use In the auxiliary feet by
which the MoFquito feet will be deslg-
'nated In accordance with the terms OF
GG recently enacted act on the subject,
Clhtr purchases are In prospect but the
'hal selcct!on Of the dozen vessels to DC
inniithnsed from the eligible list or over
!W tlipplIed by the examining board. has
hoL ~, been made. n q.
The torpedo beat Rowan, bulb at