The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-07-07
QUIET DAY IN WAR CIRCLES.
PRESIDENT Will Act if Shafter and
Sampson Do Not Cooperate.

President Will Act if Shafter and
Sampson Do Not Cooperate.
Associated Press Dispatch.
WASHINGTON, July 6.-By comparison
with what has gone before to-day was very
quiet at the War and Nay Depart
ments. There were bulletins posted
in the former department., but there
was none of more recent date than
yesterday, and so far from indicat-
ing an impending battle the general ten
dency of these bulletins was to show that no
forward movement is in absolutely immedi-
ate contemplation. Deep concern is felt here
at the deprivations and sufferings of our
troops lying in trenches and in field hos
pitals surrounding Santiago, and there is
everywhers a disposition to insist that here
after haste shall be made slowly and that
the equipment of our soldiers, their COM
missary and quartermasters supplies, their
ammunition and their hospital stores shall
be complete in every respect before they ad-
vance further. This is likely to be the rule
even at the expense of time and in the face
OF the criticism of an element that has been
insisting on rushing the campaign without
regard to cost in blood and money.
Confidence is felt that there will be no
friction between the army and navy COM
manders and that the conference between
them will result in an agreement on Joint
plan for the prosecution of the campaign.
In the event that this belief should be not
well founded, the President is prepared to
act himself by orders from first hand
There is much force in the naval argument
that if Sampson is obliged to enter Santiago
harbor before the forts are captured he will
jeopardize the safety of the whole of the
ironclad fleet under his command since. by
the sinking of one of these ships in the mar
row channel, through a Spanish mine or
shell, the fleet would be left helpless and
exposed to destruction under the guns of the
forts, to which they could make no reply,
owing to the elevation of the latter. On the
other hand, the army officers seem to be
justified in avoiding the tremendous sacrifice
Of life that would be involved in again
throwing our soldiers upon the Spanish de-
fenses until they have been materially re-
inforced in numbers and strengthened by
artillery.
HOBSON TO BE EXCHANGED
Sampson did not report to-day at the Navy
Department, but the War Department sent
over very agreeable message from Shaf-
ter, announcing the readiness of the Span
iards to exchange Hobson and his men. 1t
is believed that this was accomplished some
time during the day. though notice Of it has
not been received.
The fact that several of the vessels Sc
lected for Watson's fleet were in the thick
Of the engagement of July promises to
delay somewhat the departure of the East
ern squadron for the shores of Spain The
vessels have consumed a good deal of coal
and, without doubt have expended a large
quantity of their highest grade of ammu-
milton in the furious attack on the steel
war ships of the Spaniards. 1t will be nec-
essary to repenish these stores before the
long European voyage is begun However,
Secretary Long has given rush oiGers for
the preparation of this squadron and II GER
tainly will be off in the course OF few
days.
The movements of the Cadiz fleet are very
puzzling to our experts here Weakened
as it is by the sending back of the torpedo
boat destroyers. the Spanish squadron
bound for the Philippines seems destined 10
go to as sure destruction as lid Cervcra's s
unlucky ships when they headed westward
from the Cape Verde islands The Snan-
iards are, without doubt, fully aware Of the
inferiority of their feet and why they per-
sist in sending ii TO be sunk in the Philip
pines is mystery. The Navy Department
was advised to-day that the squadron was
passing through the Suez canal, ana as the
vessels must have paid the heavy toll re-
quired in advance. the indications are row
regarded as conclusive that the ships are
actually bound for the Philippines. This
belief stimulates the preparations here for
Watsons sailing. He will strike stiaight
after Camara, who, in the end, Is doomed
to be caught between Watson ana Dewey
The report that the fine snip Yankee. ly-
ing at Tompkinsville, just from Cuba has
yellow fever aboard caused a good deal of
worry at the department., until captain
Brownson telegraphed during the day that
there was absolutely no fever on the snip,
and that she was not In quarantine.
END OF THE ALFONSO XII.
Secretary Long regarded the report that
the Alfonso XII had been destroyed while
trying to run the Havana blockade as the
best news OF the day. 1t had not come to
him in any direct official way, but through
a report from General Greely. chief signal
officer. who had received a cipher message