The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1898-05-11
Fearful That the Soldiers
Will Join the Populace.
DOES SPAIN WANT 70 OUT 4?
AdViCeS From London Look
Upon the Fleets Return
In That Light.
Special to EVENING HERALD.

WASHINGTON, May IL.
In view of the return home of the Cape
Verde feet, the probability is that SIMPSONS
squadron will do nothing more at present
than blockade Porto Rico and harbors. 1t
would be useless to capture San Juan until
troops can be sent there. The Presidents
program is, however, to capture Porto Rico
but when the program is to be carried out
cannot be positively stated.
1t is believed that orders have been
issued for the flying squadron to
move towards Cuba to fill the gap
made by the absence of Sampson's
fleet.
Many naval strategists contend there is
nothing to be gained by blockade of Porto
Rica now. 1t would divide Simpsons fleet,
rendering less effective the blockade of Cuban
ports. The Spanish troops In Porto Rico can
not be used for operations in Cuba, and if
their transportation was attempted the trans
port ships would be captured by our ships be-
fore they could land.
There is little doubt that Admiral Samp-
sons squadron will be recalled from Porto
Rican waters to assist in establishing the base
of supplies and operations for the United
States army in Cuba. They will be needed
to cover the landing of the land forces which
are to be sent to some places on the northern
coast as rapidly us possible. to begin an ag-
of taking Havana.
The general belief is that the seven Span
ish vessels that have returned to Cadiz, for
fear of meeting our fleet at Porto Rico, aug.
mented by number of other warships, will
leave the former port before very long. The
navy department will be informed of any
movement the Spanish fleet may make.
A naval official to-day stated that Admiral
Sampson will carry out his work at Havana
without regard to the enemy's naval fleet
but will not lombard Havana until the army
is landed in Cuba and has fought its way tC
Havana. Then hostilities from water and
land will commence in earnest
There is no question of the trustworthi
ness of the news that spain's Cape Verde
fleet. which was supposed to have beer
heading for Porto Rico, had changed theil
course and returned home, and is now al
Cadz. To say that there was surprise ant
amusement upon the receipt of this new
here is true statement of fact. In som,
quarters there was disappointment.
1t was asserted to-day by an officer in
position to speak authoritatively that tn,
armor-cad division sent to Porto Rico unde
Admiral SIMPSONS personal command ha(
not gone there to attack San Juan but merel!
in the hope of falling in with the Cape Yerd
fleet. Now that that fleet is known to b
several thousand miles from Porto Rico ther
appears to be no necessity for Sampson to re
main there. A number of Spanish gunboat
fed from Cuba when the war began, and ar
' supposed to be at Porto Rico, or elsewhere i
that end of the West Indies. Naval officer
hope that Sampson will fall in with some
these before he returns westward.
The proposed expedition of armed fore,
to the number of 5000 to cooperate with A,
miral Dewey's feet in the Philippine Islau
is almost ready to leave San Francisco. Ii