The Monticellonian., 1898-06-03

WASHINGTON, May a1.-There appears to be no reason now why the military invasion of Cuba should not begin as soon as sufficient number of troops can be equipped for the campaign. It was with deep qualification that the secretary of the navy received a mes sage from Commodore Schley that dnaily removed from the field of con lecture any question as to the location of Gervera's Spanish feet
 The commodore's telegram was brief, but to the point. The text of his dispatch has not been given out, but the substance has been made public. The commodore said that he had sight ed the Spanish fleet in Santiago har- Dor. The department construed his cer had himself, with his own eyes, seen Cervera's fleet, and as near as can be learned this gratifying spectacle was beheId by Schtey Sunday morning. He expressed the belief that the whole fleet was within Santiago harbor, but he did not actually see Weof the big cruisers, the hHeaya and the Oquendo. Like the commodore, the naval officers here are confident that these two cruisers are i'll the harbor, for they saY it would be very bad policy for all admiral il Ger vera $ position to divide his fleet. Even if it should prove to be true, however. that the NIzeaya and Oquendo are at large, they ean do little harm unless their commanders have arrived at that desperate state of mind when they are willing to submit their ships to certain destruction for the sake of infietiug some small injury on one of the unpro- tected vessels of the American navy or for the glory of running the blockade.
 The navy department has taken note of the reported arrival oT the torpedo boat destroyer Terror at San Jaan. They say she has made her last cruise under the spanish das from which ie is inferred that one of the American cruisers is already on her way to bottle her up in San Judn harber.
 IL Is believed that sampson conf dent Of ScaIeys ability to hold the Spaaiards in santiago harbor, is now rapidly preparing to convoy the mtH- tary expeditions, the starting of which can not be deferred much longer. Sampson has reinforced Schley fleet with some. of the best iron-elads, the Iowa for instance, 50 that there is no question of his oYermatch- ing the Spaajatds ill point of force. The Gicnfurgos blockade. which was not abandoned, but waa temporarily weakened to insure the safety of some
 
 by the spanish flying squadron, will now be re-tstabBshcd i'll all of its old rigor
 No one who can speak authoritative ly will say when the military cNpedi- tions will start. Secretary Alger, when asked the question, replied very decidedly that it would be impolitic to make any statement on that subject; it would only serve to give the Spanish in Cuba an opportunity to mass forces at certain points, and this would expose the American troops to unnecessary danger. Gen. Miles is prep 5d for instant departure. The general himself refuses to say when he will move, but there are signs at army headquarters that indicate an early departure.
 Decoration day at the war department was holiday in name only so far as the greater part of the officials were concerned, as they were at their desks for good portion of the day The department was technically closed, but notwithstanding this, q large number of.visitors put in an appearance and saw Secretary Alger and his assistants. The secretary remained until about II o'clock, when he left the department intending to go to the Arlington na- tional cemetery to witness the eXer- 'cises there Assistant Secretary Mei ldejohn also intended to go, but was detained because of the pressure of business matters