The Bourbon news. [volume] (Paris, Ky.) 1895-19??, 1898-05-27
CHANGE OF PLANS.
Spain viii Concentrate Her Energies
in Defense of the Philippines
With View of Retaining Them in he
Event Peace is Forced Upon Them
by international Law Func-
tiOns of the War Board.

WASHINGTON, May 25-There are
signs in Madrid that have been noted
here seeming to warrant the suppose
ton that there has been a complete
change in the Spanish plan of conduct
ing the war. Indications are believed
to point to a relaxation if not
total abandonment of the efforts
to conduct the campaign in Cuba
and the West Indian waters. The
natural conclusion, if this premise is
well founded would be that the
Spaniards were going to concentrate
their entire energies to the defense of
the Philippines with the view to re-
tanning them in the event peace is
forced upon them by virtue of the
principle of international law which
limits victorious nation in indemni-
flying herself from the vanquiShed to
the territory she actually occupies
when peace is declared. So the retreat
of the Spanish squadron from the
West Indies would be significant, first,
in the danger it would place Dewey
Immediately, and second in the hint
it would convey that the Spanish mind
for the first time cOntemplates the
possibilities of peace.
The war board, lately known as the
strategy board, had short session
Tuesday morning. There appears to
be a great misconception on the part
of the public and newspapers as to
the nature of this board, its compost
ton and manner of work. Accord
ing to the popular mind this board
sits in the navy department and with
autOcratic orders directs the move
ments of fleets and the execution of
plans of campaigns down to the very
smallest details. This conception has
led to a good deal of comment. some
humorous and some serious, at the ex-
pense of the board and the idea had
even spread to Europe, where so con-
| servative a paper as the London Times
has delivered itself of this criticism:
1T would be wise in the future to
leave the direction of operations to
J naval commanders. Councils have
never proved capable directors of war.
Their proper function is to obtain infor-
nation and to forward it to the admir-
al, who must be, as Nelson claimed
the right to be, free to act when the
fitting opportunity arrived"
Now Secretary Long is member OF
the war board; at least he is frequent
| ly with it during it's sessions, and he
says that the views of the Times as to
the proper functions of a war council
| express exactly the functions con-
ferred upon and exercised by the naval
war board. 1t has worked ceaselessly
and intelligently to learn the move
ments of the enemy and the en-
emy's plans, and to gather all kinds
of information that could be of value
! to the United States naval command
ers now at sea. 1t has not undertaken
to hamper them with unnecessary in
structions, but supplying them with
all information Obtainable that
might assist has kept evc~ in
mind the principle that the COM
mander on the spot is the per-
son best qualified to act. The
board has not made single mistake
since the beginning of the war, was
the tribute that Secretary Long paid
to it. Just how little it ;nterferes
with our naval commanders is shown
| III Vic epISrdudGIC uIeSSdSe 10 dewey
at Hong Kong.
Commence operations at once, par
ticularly against the Spanish fleet.
You must capture vessels or destroy.
There was no suggestion there of I'm,
necessary instructions. And again al
San Juan, according to Secretary
Long, all that the board did was to
authorize Adm. Sampson to proceed
as he did and attack the place. He
| likewise had no veXatious limitations
passed upon him"