The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-05-06

WASHINGTON, ID. c., May al
ter having gone through twenty-four
hours Of anxious expectancy the eonciu-
sion has been reached in congressional
circles that there will be some time yet
to wait before word is received from
Commodore Dewey Yesterdays dispatch
from Hong Kong announcing the arrivai
OF the McCulloch Is now utterly discredit-
ed. and II Is calculated that IL was not
possible for the cutter 10 have got there
from Manila, and the theory is advanced
as very probably that the McCulloch was
not in a condition at the end OF battle
to put to sea with dispatches.
She IS too light a craft 70 have escaped
injury, IL In the engagement, and II ID
hardly probable that she was held in re-
serve by Commodore Dewey. since she
had been equipped with heavy arms-
ment for her size and was capable of do
ing good service.
MAY BE SOME TIME YET.
The chances are that she was In the
thick OF the hight and did not escape in
jury. Upon this theory 1t Is calculated
that there should be no surprise II a
communication from Commodore Dewey
is delayed until either the cable Is repair
ed or communication may be had through
some foreign vessel from the Philippines
TO Hong Kong.
Many reports are in circulation about
the report having been received and with
held from the public. or to the effect
that unofficial Information has come by
80 .gF.s to
In contradiction to these rumors there
are not only the apparently frank state
ments OF the highest officials. including
Secretary Long, made in response TO
newspaper inquiries, but also the assur-
ances given members OF the Foreign
Relations. the Naval and the Appropria-
tlons Committee Of both Houses OF
Congress. and 10 other Senator'S aud re-
representatives. who have made Inquiries
of the President and members OF the
Cabinet.
The universal response up 10 this hour
has been that not a word has been receiv-
ed. After not hearing anything last
night, hope OF getting any word within
the next twenty-four hours was pfacti-
cally abandoned
ADMIRAL SIMPSONS FLEET.
There is a wide divergence in the in
formation available as TO the movements
OF Admiral Simpsons fleet. Most of the
hints let drop in official circles this
morning were calculated to give the i'm
preston that the fleet had gone directly
against Porto Rico. and would capture
that port whether tho Spanish fleet was
met or not
The vest congressional authorities who
visited the White oIIuse and the Depart
ments this morning say. however. thar
the attack upon Porto Rico will not
occur until the Spa nish fleet has been
met or, I'm case IL Is learned that that
fleet has tmned back 10 Cadiz. until pro-
visions have been made 10 land aboat
i0O00 troops to hold the island after II
has been captured.
NOT so ANXIOUS ABOUT THE ORE
CON
Apparently the Navy Department Is NOT
as anxious about the Oregon as currenr
gossip would Indicate IL is reasoned
that for Spain To send four cruisers to
capture or destroy the Oregon would os
a very foolish mOvc-toO foolish even for
Spanish conception. IN tho move wersr
success sul the destruction OF one -of our
fine ships would be all accomplished. aad4
that could not hope 10 be accomplished
without serious loss on the Spanish side. I
Naval experts say that in battle With
the four Spanish cruisers the orsgont
would probably destroy two and inrtict
serious Damage upon the others before
she was destroyed herself. In its bear
ings upon future operations the result
of such a battle would moro seriously
injure the Spanish navy than 1t wcsid
us. At the same time steps have been
taken 10 protect tho Oregon.
SIMPSONS THREE MISSIONS.
out OF the conflicting opinions and
statements one thing that appears clear
As that Admiral Sampson has been given
wider discretion than he has heretofora
been given In mis- operations.
lie has been given three missions One
Is 10 take Porto Rico. One IL TO meet
the Spanish fleet II II can be located on
this side OF the Atlantic. The other
Is to protect the Oregon. AS 20 tho
method OF procedure he is given discre-
tlon, his course to be determined by de-
yeiopments as he proceeds.
n is understood 20 he the expectation
OF me President that Porto Rico viii ia
. sHors.nuafb On Sixth ptuol -.