Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-04-22

er as merely piece of information, COM
municated through courtesy. 1t is not per-
ceived however. that any substantial ad-
vantage has been reached by the Spanish
government in preventing the formal de-
livery of the ultimatum through Mr.. Wood
ford, although it may be that they have
technically escaped what they regard as
AL attempted insult to the Spanish nation.
Assistant Secretary Day was closeted
for some time in the forenoon with Second
Assistant Secretary Adee. and it is believed
there is in preparation a communication to
United States ministers and ambassadors
abroad notifying them of the attitude of
this government in the pending issue.
II seems to be the common understand
ing that in view of the action of the Span
ish government there is now no reason for
acting upon the joint resolution directing
intervention, for the refusal of the Spanish
government to receive the communication.
knowing its character, is to be construed
only as a refusal of its conditions Move
ments of our army and navy therefore will
follow as soon as we are ready, and it
will not be necessary to wait until Satur-
urday noon. 1t is still absolutely unknown
to anyone outside the administration prop
er, and even in that case only to a few,
how the campaign shall be directed, and
any attempt to outline publicly its details
is bitterly resented by the army and navy
officers charged with the preparation of the
strategic plans of the two departments.
ed to confirm the newspaper reports that
the formidable Spanish naval force at ST.
Vincent. Cape Verde islands. had sailed last
night for an unknown destination. Naval
experts say that leaving out of considera-
ton the question of the relative strength of
personnel, the Spanish force is at least
equal and probably much superior in some
respects to Commodore Schley's fleet. It
is not believed by any Of the naval officers
that the Spanish feet will undertake to
cross the Atlantic and attack Commodore
Schley on his own base, but it would seem
to be equally impracticable for the commo-
dore to take his flying squadron across to
attack the Spaniards. unless he is REIN
forced.
The threat of the Spanish newspapers to
give us surprise in the shape of a naval
visitation does not cause any particular
uneasiness at the navy department, and
although nothing is known as to the desti-
nation of the Spanish squadron, it is sur
missed that it has started on its return to
Spain. 1900 miles distant from Cape Verde,
thus indicating purpose to await an en-
gagement in their own waters
1t is likely that in this event the first
port made will be the Canary islands, dis
tant about SIS miles from st. Vincent, and
Spanish possession. partially fortified
and fair base. 1t is not believed that the
Spanish naval commander would be fool
ish enough to run the risk of taking his
torpedo boat f1otilla across the Atlantic
in the attempt to defend either Porto Rico
or Havana.
Naval officials refuse most positively to
say whether they intend to force an issue
by sending supplies to the reconcentrados
in Cuba on a merchant ship convoyed by a
man-of-war
II is known that this plan has been un-
der consideration, but a suggestion has
beer made that the Spaniards might avoid
the issue entirely by permitting the mer.
chant ships to land the stores without mo-
lestation and then. right afterwards, seize
the stores for their own use.
Particular reticence is observed regard
ing the movements of the battleship Ore
son and the gunboat Marietta, now on
their way around the Horn to toin III.
war fleets In the Gulf of Mexico. The
Oregon sailed from Callao on the 9th inst
since which time nothing has been heard
from her. 1t is believed she passed Val.
paraiso and is now nearing the port of
Montevideo. Uruguay. A formidable Span-
ish torpedo boat is supposed to be some
where in that vicinity awaiting the ar.
rival of the big battleship and some fear i,
expressed that she may creep upon her
unawares. and consequently considerable
relief will he felt when the arrival of the
Oregon at some South American port IS
reported. 1t is probable that when the