New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-04-28

NO DEFINITE PLANS FOR CAMPAIGN
ON THE ArLANTIc-LANDTNG OPERA
TIoNs IN CUBA TO BEGIN SOON.
fBY TELEGRAPH THE TRIBUNE.l
Washington. April 27.-Interest here In tho
conduct of the war is fast concentrating on the
situation in the Far East. where the first test
OF strength between the navies Of Spain and
the United States seems destined to occur with
in the next two or three days. Gable dis
patches from Madrid. received through London,
report the Spanish fleet at the Philippines TO be
preparing to do battle with the As'atic Squad
ron under Commodore Dewey, and as the
American men-ofwar have now cut loose from
all former bases of supply and can only estab-
lsh themselves in port again by capturing
Manila, speedy collision between the two
forces appears TO be inevitable.
TIE SPANISH FLEET OVERMATCHED
Were it not for the marked superiority or
Commodore Dewey's feet over the motley col
lection Of vessels now mustered under Admiral
Montejo for the defence of the Philippines, the
Administration would be justified in feeling
some anxiety over the result Of the impending
encounter. The American squadron. if checked
or defeated. would experience great difficulty
in making good IFS retreat to any port where
new supplies Of coal provisions and ammuni-
ton could he obtained. and its value rs factor
in the present war would be practically elimi-
mated for several months to come. Bur the
fighting strength Jf the Asiatic Squadron, which
includes the fine protected cruiser Olympia, the
cruisers Baltimore. Boston. Raleigh and Con-
cord. the gunboat Petrol and the converted rev
eDue-cutter McCulloch. so overmatches that OF
the Spanish feet off Manila that the first gen
cral action between the two is expected here
to result in decisive American victory
If Manila falls into the hands Of Commodore
Dewcys squadron it can at once be converted
into new base Of supplies. and coal ammuni-
ton and other war material can he dispatched
at once in sufficient quantities to the Philippines
from san Francisco and other ports on the Pa
c.fc. The American feet is due off Manila to-
day or tomorrow. and news Of engagement
by sen is expected at any moment.
READY TO MEET SPAIN on THE ATLANTIC.
The prospect IF naval encounter On the A.
lantic still seems more or less distant Tncer
talnty here as 10 the movements Of the Spanish
ba;te-shp Pclayo and her supposed consorts
makes the execution Of any definite plans for
naval campaign AT present impossible. Though
the blockade of the chief cuban ports Is 10 be
vigorously maintained. the Navy Department 10
prepared at any time 10 summon North for
junction with Commodore Schleys Flying
SQUADRON the more heavily armored lighters OF
the Key West fleet. An offensive movement Of
either the Cadiz or Cape Verd squadron. or ~
both combined could thus be met without ma
terially affecting the efficiency Of the Cuban
blockade.
II is scarcely believed. however. that the Pc
Iayo and her consor,s will attempt cruise
across the Atlantic AT this juncture. their pres
ent scheme of operations being more likely 10
be restricted to the pursuit.and capture in mid
ocean of stray American steamships following
the main travelled Atlantic routes.
COMM NICATING WITH THE INSURGENTS.
The apparently successful opening of commu-
ncations with Generals Gomez and Garcia
through the efforts of Lieutenant Rowan and
other Army officers has given much satisfaction
at War Department headquarters. Reports
from the insurgent camps will be awaited with
great interest. for on their tenor will depend
the character of the landing operations which.
il is understood. will be shortly undertaken 10
establish military base on the Cuban coast
MORE VOLUNTEERS THAN ARE NEEDED.
The Secretary Of War has found himself
overwhelmed for two days past with requests
for an extension Of the limits set in Saturday =
call for volunteers 10 the quotas assigned 10
the various States From Maryland. the Dis
trict of Columbia, Pennsylvania and many
other quartecs complaints have come that mors
volunteers than those required by the call cam
not be accepted
Much unreasonng criticism has been direct
cd AZ the Secretary of War for the terms OF IN"
reouisitons for volunteers, the chief ground or
dissatisfaction apparently being that the War
Department is unwilling 10 accept regiments
and batteries without regard 10 organization or
strength The fact Is simply that the General
Government fixes minimum and maximum
strength for each regiment or battery which IL
TO be accepted. and the whole responsibility or
interfering or not interfering with existing NIL
itia organizations is left exclusively with the
military authorities in the several states