The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-05-04
THE CUBAN CAMPAIGN
THE PLANS ARE BEING RAPIDLY
DEVELOPED.
THE OREGON HAS SAILED FROM RIO
Two or Three of Simpsons Fleet May be
Sent 10 Meet Eer---China Has
Issued arProclamation OF
MAMMALIAN
Neutrality.

Washington, D. c., May 3.-The day
passed without single word from the
American fleet in the Philippines, ana
in view of the long continued Interrupt
zion in cable communication the officials
are beginning to resign themselves -
the belief that they must wait for their
official news until boat arrives VT
Hong Kong. This will not necessarily
no = naval vessel. for it is not believed
that Commodore Dewey, who will be
admiral as soon as he can be reached,
bv cable, could have spared any of his
ships. even the McCulloch, to carry dis
patches before the bombardment.
In ordinary times there is plenty OF
communication by steamers as well as
nv native vessels between the Phillip
pines and the mainland and the officials
will he rather surprised if some news is
not coming by this means tomorrow.
IL Admiral Dewey wants troops TO
hold what he may gain in the Philip
pines he will be sent as many as he
needs directly from San Francisco. and
ii is very likely that State volunteers
will make M the quota. The Cabinet
talked about this today, and is only
waiting TO hear what Commodore Dew
ey wants.
Meanwhile. the plans of the Cuban
canpaign are being steadily developed
and there Is no Indication Of change
of purpose on the part of the military
authorities who are expected to land
an expeditionary force in Cuba in Il
very short time. Admiral Sampson. so
far as the Navy Department knows, IS
steadily maintaining the blockade of the
Cuban coast. and this is not likely to he
abandoned for the present. though two
or three Of his ships may be sent away
temporarily TO meet the Oregon on her
way to Cuba from Rio Janeiro. While
the officials of the Navy Department
naturally feel warm interest in this
race Of the magnificent battleship
around the continent. they profess to
feel little anxiety as to the outcome. not
withstanding the current talk Of an
effort on the part of the Spanish flying
squadron to cut off the Oregon. The
vessel sailed from Rio ON course only
known to the CAPTAIN, and the chances
of being oyertaken on the high seas
are very small. Even should the Span
ish vessels fall in with her it is by no
means certain. Notwithstanding their
numbers, that she would be defeated hy
the combined Spanish force. as her mag
nifcent armor and ordnance are su.
perior in every respect. size and quality.
to those of the Spanish ships.
The proclamation directed against the
Spanish residents Of the United States hy
the State Department has not yet been
issued nor is it certain that it will be is
sued: that probably depending unon the
course pursued by the Spanish Govern
ment in their treatment of American
citizens in Spain.
China issued her neutrality proclama-
ton today, so there is now no place left
on the Asiatic coast open to the free use
Of the war vessels of either Spain or
the United States This is rather re-
markable in that it marks the first ac-
ton of this kind on the part of China.
Which has never before issued a neutral
ity proclamation, and the naval officers
are duly grateful for the consideration
shown by the Chinese Government in
Withholding the issue of the decree until
Informed that the Americans had ac-
qnired base in the Philippine Islands
The army bought hospital boat to-
day for the benefit of the troops going
to Cuba. Conmissary General Nash
was retired. making the fourth Commits
saiy General to be reired within as
many months. REPORTS received at the
Navy Department from the Miantono-
mon shows that the monitor was roughly
handled by the storm while making her
way South to Key West from League
Island Her decks We're swept and fire.
IlIavG II.
rangement Of some of the ship's struc-
tnre. Throughout it ALL however. the
pronelhng machinery worked splendidly.
Washington will soon be cav with mi
forms as result of an order to-day re-
curing all officers to wear the uniforms
OF their proper grades.
AdJutant General Corbin had a confer
ehce with the President this afternoon
f concerning the nomination Of Major Cen
erals and Brigadier Generals. which. oc-
cofding 70 present intentions, will be sent
to the Senate tomorrow. Gen. Corbin
took with him to the White House =
full list of those nominations which had
been agreed upon by the War Dnnort.
ment officials. After a twenty minnie
conference with the President. General
Corbin returned to the department to
make some alterations in the list suggest
cd by the President
Tt is understood to have been decided
to name General Shafter. who has been
designated to lead the army of invasion
into Cuba. General Fitzhugh Lee. and
General Joe Wheeler. Of Confederate
Cavalry fame rs Major Generals. Ii is
regarded as probable that the President
may also nominate General Woodford,
former Minister to Spain, to be "a Major
General
Concerning the appointment of Briga.
der Generals. it is said to be the pur.
pose OF the President, so far as posi-
BILE. TO take the candidates from tho
ranks of colonies in the regular army
This will disappoint some of the candi
dates for important commands.
The French Embassy is the only for
eign establishment in Washington which