The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-06-08
No TROOPS LANDED.
Department SAYS That was LIN.
possible.

inp tOn, uIO ss~CpafUlIR OuU
with a strong belief that there had been
notbinp in the nature of serious en-
oaoen,ent between SIMPSONS forces and
tbe Spanish defenses at Santiago, the
navy department officials, as the day
wore OH and the full reports of the AS
ISOLATED Press from its correspondents
with the fleet, began to flow in, were
compelled to modify their view, and
when the day closed they were about ready
to admit that Sampson had made strong
attack upon the forts. The one point
upon which they maintained their con-
fdence was that no troops had been
landed. They were prepared to admit
that Sampson might be clearing the way
with his big guns for the landing of
troops, or that some marines had been
landed temporarily, but that army forces
had been put ashore they would not ad-
nit, as no information had reached the
war department. Of the departure of the
soldiers from the Gulf ports for Cuba.
1t is not denied, however, that every
effort is making to put the TROOPS into
u,
and it is believed that the troops have
actually been embarking at Tampa today
and may get away tonight.
Judging from the newspaper reports of
the breach Sampson has made in the coast
defenses at Santiago, there is every reason
to believe that little difficulty will be
found in the actual debarkation of the
troops, particularly if marines are already
ashore to guard the landing. A suspicion
is entertained in some quarters that
Sampson was fastened in his movements
at Santiago by the news of the intended
departure Of the troops from Tampa. and
made this attack in order that the navy
alone might have the honor of effecting
the first occupation of Cuban soil 1t is
likely that the first troops of the regular
army to take up position ashore will be
the engineer battalion. although they
are SO badly hampered by the heavy siege
trains they carry, they must be greatly
delayed in making landing. These
guns have given infinite trouble, for the
transports that were SO hastily chartered
were so lightly constructed as to require
a great deal of strengthening before the
great masses of steel could be safely placed
in them.
The extent of SIMPSONS attack upon
the Santiago defenses has brought out one
fact clearly, namely, that he has practical
ly unlimited power as to the time and
character of an attack and that he is I'M
hampered by restrictions from Washing
ton. The exact nature of his orders has
never been made public, but naval
official in position to know what they
are, says that Admiral Sampson has had
,+<~,. Op1fa 71poI m
has ever been given TO any commander
in-chief.
1t is for him to decide on the time for
an attack and the piece and manner of
its execution. He may attack before
troops arrive, or in his discretion, act
without the cooperation of troops. Or if
circumstances warrant, he may refrain
that Admiral Sampson is complete master
of the tactical and strategic operations by
the naval forces off Santiago This is in
line with the policy approved by the
highest naval authorities.
The authorities here have laid down
the general ends to be attained in Cuba
and Porto Rico and the war board has
formation which could assist the COM
mander-in-chief. But beyond this, Ad-
mirsI Sampson's authority is practically
without limit.
Under these circumstances the naval
authorities here have no means of know
ing when battle is to be expected or
what the line of action is to be. The
the Brazilian navy, arrived in Hampton
Roads today from Brazil. The vessel, it
is learned, is not yet actually on the U.
S. naval lists. She has been acquired
subject to certain conditions that doubt
less will be strictly fulfilled by the
Brazilian government. They are that
the ship must be turned over in good
condition as to hull and machinery. The
ordnance will be supplied by the United
States government, in the shape of ten
six-inch rapid-tire guns. The machinery
of the Buffalo is known to be in bad
shape Just to what extent Is not known
here. The ship will be inspected by a
naval board when she is ready for delivery
to the government. Meanwhile the
work of putting her in condition will go
on at once at Newport News. The
Buffalo was not obliged, like the Oregon,
to make detour in reaching home port
to avoid possible enemy because, being
manned by Brazilian crew and not yet
the property of the United States, she was
not subject to attack.
The death of Capt GridIey has removed
one of the officers set down for advance
ment over their superiors on account of
the victory OF Manila. The promotions
recommended by the President are the
subject of much talk between naval
officers. Those who did not participate
in the battle are displeased at being
Jumped" and they are pointing out the
evils OF the practice, among them being
the probability that some of the very
officers advanced are likely to be in turn
jumped and SO they be set back by some
of the officers now on duty with Samp-
sons fleet who may distinguish them
selves in battle. These officers are
urging that it would only be prudent
and fair to go slowly in the matter of
making promotions of this. character
and wait until the war is ended. when ali
the meritorious officers may be rewarded
in strict accordance with their merit II
will be good news for the many persons
interested in claims against the Spanish
government growing out of Entertainment
in Cuba or loss of property SUSTAINED
there, to know that the state departm amt
has not lost sight of them and that their
interests are sure to be fully oonser we'd
when it comes to final settlement he.
tween the United States and Snain
These claims on file in the state tlepart.
ment now aggregate SIG, 100000, and If
is the purpose, when treaty of peace is
drawn. to provide therein for their settle