The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-05-11
SPANS SHIPS SKIP.
Turn Up al Cadiz Instead of
Porto Rico.
DARE THEY co FOR DEWEY?
Camncnn Mi0hf Attack Nnain If
Sampson Might Attack Spain II
They Did.
RUSH TO BE MADE ON CUBA.
Interesting News Expected From
Sampson.

Washington, May 10.-It Is hard to tell
whether the naval officers were relieved
or disappointed by the news that came
late this afternoon to both the navy and
state departments to the effect that the
Spanish flying squadron had arrived at
Cadz, Spain.
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 line OF communication cut
off.
On the other hand, it 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 their minds to go after the
Spaniards, a task very much more diff
cult than that of meeting them near our
own shores.
Tt 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 said that contrary to the common
understanding the Suez canal is open to
the warships of belligerent powers, so
that if the Spanish choose to take this
course they would have long start of
any pursuing feet from our side Of the
Atlantic.
1t 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 withdrawal of so con-
siderable a portion of their naval strength
as would be required to overmatch Dew
ey
Nothing was heard from Admiral Samp-
son to-day, but there is a confident ex-
pectation that interesting news will be
coming from his squadron within the
next twentyfour hours. Whether this
means an attack on Porto Rico or not
cannot be learned.
One effect of the retreat of the Spanish
feet has been to hasten the preparations
already under full headway for the dis
patching of military expeditions to Cuba.
1t also has caused a complete change in
heved to be the great factor.
There is no longer opportunity to in
dulge in extensive drilling and practice
maneuvering. The regular army troops do
not need these, and are to be thrown at
once into the fray. Many of the regiments
OF the national guard, which are entering
the volunteer service, are felt to be suff-
fr,s. ~
view to follow the regulars Immediately,
and the department indicated its purpose
to-day of dispatching these volunteer
troops directly to the Gulf coast for ship
ment instead of sending them to Chicka-
mauga
This disposition was shown by the
changes in the new orders issued to the
troops although there yet may be return
10 the original programme of concentra-
uon If the plans show signs of weakness
as they develop. The quartermaster gen.
eral has already gotten under charter
tWenty-seven merchant steamers for the
transport of troops and roughly speak
lis these should carry about 20 900 men.
Others are being procured as rapidly as
POSSIBLE. The plan of the war department
IS 20 have these vessels assemble at the
ulliefent Gulf ports, Tampa, Mobile, New
orleans and Galveston, TO take on che
- "AiSH VIII nc sent tIleIe. Inc navy
department is expected to furnish convoys
Ior these transports, which would be alb
soiutely helpless against Spanish attack.
At Al TINS point there are signs Of friction
Flrst the transports will be obliged to
await Admiral SIMPSONS return in order
70 secure proper convoy, and secondly, |
me navy objects very decidedly to under
taxing the task OF conveying a number
VI transports. II insists that to assure
tne safety Of the convoy of the troops all
OF the transports should be gathered i'm |
one heet to start from Tampa, and the |
navy is likely to prevail in this
NOW that Maj. Gen. Sewell has been as
signed 10 command the concentration |
camp at Fan Church, preparations are be- |
ing rushed 10 put the grounds there into |
shape for the reception Of the volunteers.
START MAY HE MADE SATURDAY. |