Connecticut western news., 1898-05-12

the island will be let severely alone for the present at least or until Cuba Is freed and American military govern ment firmly established there. It is believed that this will be matter of not more than two weeks, and then the heavier ships will be relieved for duty against Puerto Rico or for drydocking on the Atlantic coast preparatory for a cruise in force, augmented by the armored ships in Commodore Schley's squadron, against Cadiz itself unless Spain in the meantime sues for perma- nent peace.
 Naval Experts In Quandary.
 It is hard to tell whether the naval officials were relieved or disappointed by the news that the Spanish flying squadron had arrived at Cadiz. The safety of the Oregon from attack is now completely assured, and the way is clear for military operations in Cuba without running the risk of having the occupying army's line of communica- tion cut off. On the other hand, 1t is believed that no enduring peace can be secured until the Spanish navy has been destroyed, and it now appears that to do this our sailors must make up theiI minds to go after the Spaniards, a task very much more difficult than that
 
 It was suggested by some of the mem- bers of the war board that there was just a possibility that the Spanish squadron might make a quick passage into the Pacific through the Suez canal and attack Dewey at Manila. It Is sad that contrary to the common un- derstanding the Suez canal is open to warships of belligerent powers, so that If the Spanish chose to take this course they would have a long start of any pursuing fleet from our side of the At lantic. It Is scarcely believed, however, that the Spanish are willing to take the great risk of exposing to our attack their own home ports by the with drawal of so considerable a proportion of their naval strength as would be re- quired to overmatch Dewey.
 Oregon and Nictheroy Safe.
 In one respect the report of the ar rival of the Spanish fleet at Cadiz was a great relief to the authorities. The battleship Oregon and her consorts. the Marietta and the Nictheroy, are safe. The Oregon left Bahia. where she ar rived yesterday morning, late last night. much to the regret of the off, cials, who are anxious to locate her in order to send Captain Clark, her com manding officer, instructions to hasten by the shortest route to the United States.
 To oppose the Spanish fleet this gov ernment will be able to place in one squadron the first class battleships Iowa, Indiana, Oregon and Massachu- setts, the second class battleship Texas, the armored cruisers New York and Brooklyn, the protected cruisers New ark and New Orleans and some smaller cruisers, torpedo boats and converted yachts.
 Notwithstanding the employment of | this force on offensive work, the gov ernment will have a formidable force | engaged in blockading duty and a fleet | to patrol the coast and destroy any auxiliary cruisers that Spain may send | to this side of the Atlantic.
 | In some naval circles the belief, Is ex- | pressed that there Is a possibility that | Spain will attempt to retake the Philip | pines. The convention entered into by | the great powers permitting belligerents | to use the Suez canal would permit her | to dispatch her fleet through this water | way, and the distance of $500 miles | could be covered by fleet steaming at l the rate of ten knots an hour in S5 days. At Colombo. on the plse of tskins on