The record-union., 1898-05-14
REVIEW OF THE WAR SITUATION

REVIEW OF THE WAR SITUATION.
Admiral Sampson has accomplished
q good part of that which he was sent
TO San Juan, Porto Rico, to do, name
iy, to administer punishment. AT this
writing there are conflicting stories as
10 what was done, but the AdmiraIs
own report is to be taken as accurate,
In which he says that he injured MORO
and some lesser batteries, and that in
cidentally the town was fired along the
water front.
It is clear that he did not go to San
Juan with the intention of bombarding
the city or of occupying it. He has no
force to spare for occupancy, and his
aim was to destroy Notifications only.
The Spanish claim that he did little.
Damage, but his own report is quite
satisfactory. He was probably called
away from completing his task by news
of the whereabouts of that will-o'-wisp
section Of the Spanish fleet, it having
been discovered at Martinique. He has
now sailed to engage the enemy in
those waters and cut it off from ap-
preaching Cuba, or with the idea of
pursuing it, If it has gone after the
Oregon.
An unconflrmed dispatch tells Of the
surrender of the town of San Juan,
Porto Rico. But this probably relates
to compliance with Admiral SIMPSONS
notice to remove non-combatants from
the town, as his bombardment of the
forts would endanger the place.
The Schley flying squadron has sail
ed, possibly to unite with SIMPSONS
feet. 1900 miles away, but more like
1y to proceed north and ascertain what
sort of enemy is in the New England
coast section, that is alarming the good
folks of Boston and Massachusetts, coast
towns by mysterious approaches and
much signaling. and now and then pur-
suit Of a commerce bearer.
What we may look for next is a ter
rife sea fight between Simpsons fleet
and that of Spain in the Leeward ISL
and or Windward Island section. The
We are to expect no picnic work in
this contest. Admiral Sampson will
confront the choicest Spain has to offer,
seven ships, all f1rst-class, and four Of
them heavily armored cruisers, but not
q battleship in the lot. Sampson will
present them the American compli-
ments of at least two battleships, and
possibly three monitor type ships, be-
sides armored cruisers and gunboats.
The Spanish Admiral will outclass us
sn small fry. He has three formidable
torpedo boat destroyers that are not to
be despised even by a battleship. But
on the other hand the heavy metal at
long range of the American battleship
may settle the fate of these small craft,
which once rightly struck are doomed,
while the battleship is capable of re-
sisting successive assaults in large
number.
A story comes from Manila, which
lacks confirmation, to the effect that
the insurgents on the Island of Luzon
have divided, and part have turned
against the Americans, declaring that
Hhey are opposed to the Spanish priests
only, wish reforms instituted, but dc
not want the Spanish rule overthrown
Ut is said that body of these by
hreachery have deceived a body OF
Dewey's men and massacred them. II
would not be at all surprising to find
ourselves committed to the task OF
training the Luzon insurgents at the
point OF the bayonet. They have
among them class not to be easily
controlled. They respect force only.
However, if Dewey had met with
trouble from the class indicated, it il
probable. now that he has control OF
the cable, that he would have report
ed 1t, and have asked for declaration
OF the policy of this Government toward
fhe Philippine natives, to guide his con-
duct regarding them.
The appearance Of the Spanish fee
In Caribbean waters has checked the
movement of troops upon Cuba. Tha-
was to have been expected. That fee
must be attended to first. When it /:
disposed of our ships can be used Il
cover the landing our troops must eff
feet upon Cuban soil.