The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1898-06-30
10 GARRY THE
War IO Spain.
Commodore Watson
to Sail With an Ar
mOred Squadron.
He IS ORDERED TO PROCEED At ONCE.
The Dixie, With Maryland
Naval Reserves, Goes
With His Fleet.
10 take PART OF SIMPSONS SQUADRON.

WASHINGTON, June 27.-The ad-
ministration to-day finally announced
the details of its plan to send the
American squadron to the Spanish
coast and into the Mediterranean.
This announcement was made in the
following bulletin:
Commodore Watson sails to-day in
the Newark to join Sampson. when he
will take under his command an ar
mored squadron with cruisers and pro-
ceed at once off the Spanish coast.
The squadron is designated the East
ern squadron and is as follows:
Flagship Newark.
Battle ships Iowa and Oregon.
Cruisers Dixie, Yosemite and Yam
kee.
"Colliers Scendia, Abaronda and
Alexander.
THE start will be made at once
from off Santiago"
The Dixie, as is we'll known, is man
ned by Maryland Naval Reserves.
The Yankee is manned by New York
reserves and the Yosemite by Michi-
gan men.
TheSpanish people are to be brought
to full realization of their own hope
less weakness by demonstration of
powerful warships off the harbors of
their chief seaports. The presence of
this formidable squadron is expected
and intended to impress the lower
classes of Spain with the gigantic task
their government has before it in the
contest with the United States, and
to bring about this effect some of the
leading cities may be bombarded and
Spanish shipping destroyed.
The purpose of the administration
in departing thus from the policy of
the President, by which the United
States should refrain if possible from
carrying the war to Spanish home
waters, has been produced by the
changing events of the last month and
the departure lately of Camara's fleet
ostensibly for Manila. While the
fleet designed to sail under Commo-
dore Watson's command for Spain is
more formidable than any Spain could
possibly assemble, it is not believed
that its instructions contemplate
mere wanton policy of destruction.
The departments action in in public
ly announcing that this fleet would be
formed and ordered to Spain implies
that its mission will not be for the
mere purpose of bombarding the coast
cities and indicates that the effect of
its departure is expected to result in
the return home of the Cadiz fleet,
now alleged to be on its way to the
Philippines.
Spain's coast line is now without
the protection of a single modern war
ship, and clamor will be so great when
the Spanish public hears of the in
struction to the American fleet that
it Is anticipated the American govern
ment will not be able to resist the de-
mand for immediate recall of the fleet.
1t is said had the Cadiz squadron not
essayed the movement which is attract
ed so much attention, this dis patch of
heavy battle ships, cruisers, auxiliar
les and colliers to the home waters of
Spain would not be made, at this mo-
ment at any rate, although it has been
discussed. The composition of the
squadron gives strong indication that
it is not intended merely for demon
stration purposes, but has been so ar
ranged that it can successfully meet
all the vessels Spain could possibly as
semble against it.
The very fact that two of the most
powerful battle ships of the whole
navy have been selected for the expe-
dition, with one of the best unpro-
tected cruisers, and three of the best
auxiliaries, is strong proof that ex-
ceptional powers will be conferred on
the commanding officer, and that in
his discretion he shall scatter panic
and dismay. In taking. the fleet so
far away from home where are still
vaster possibilities of the scope of its
operations being extended and that