The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1898-05-26
RumOrs of a Big Fight
UnCOnfirmed.
FLEETS Believed 70 Be FAR APART.
Spanish Plan of Campaign
UndergOes a Change.
SHE MAY GIVE UP THE WEST INDIES

WAsHINGToN, May 24.-Notwith-
standing the persistent rumors in cir
culation to the effect that great
naval engagement has been fought
in the Windward Passage, resulting
in the destruction of the Spanish fleet,
it can be stated positively that the
Navy Department has no information
that tends in the slightest TO confirm
these rumors. Unless the improba-
bic happens, there is no immediate
prospect of Il naval engagement of any
magnitude, in the opinion of the
Navy Department officials.
Fleets Far Apart.
The unanimity with which those
best informed expressed this view al
most warrants the conclusion that it
is based upon knowledge that the hos
tile fleets are again far apart. Indeed
there is no certainty that Admiral
Cervera is not already bound home
ward, providing he has succeeded in
securing a supply of coal, for he could
not make the run back to the Canar-
les with less than about $500 or 5000
tons.
Change in Spanish Plans.
There are signs in Madrid that have
been noted here seeming to warrant
the supposition that there has been a
mplata apra in tho Gno ,,Io,,
of conducting the war. Indications
are believed to point to a relaxation
if not a total abandonment of the eff
forts to conduct the campaign in Cuba
and the West Indian waters The
natural conclusion, if this promise is
we'll founded, would be that the Span
iards were going to concentrate their
entire energies to the defense of the
Philippines with the view of re-
tanning them in the event peace is
forced upon them by virtue of the
principle of international law, which
limits a victorious nation in indemni-
flying herself from the vanquished to
the territory she actually occupies
when peace is declared,
So the retreat of the Spanish squad
ron from the West Indies would be
significant, first, in the danger it
would place Dewey Immediately, and
second, in the hint it would convey
that the Spanish mind for the first
time contemplate the possibilities of
peace.
The Strategy Board.
The War Board, lately known as
the Strategy Board, had short ses-
sion this morning. There appears to
be great misconception on the part
of the public and the newspapers as
to the nature of this Board, its com
position, functions and manner of
work.
According to the popular mind this
Board sits in the Navy Department,
and with autocratic orders directs the
movement of fleets and the execution
or plans of campaign down to the
very smallest details. This concep-
tions has led to a good deal of com
ment, some humorous and some SER
ious, at the expense of the Board, and
the idea had even spread to Europe,
where so conservative paper as the
London Times had delivered itself of
this criticism
Proper Functions of the Board.
1T would be wise in the future to
leave the direction of operations to
naval commanders. Councils have
never proved capable directors so far.
Their proper function is to obtain in
formation and to forward it to the
Admirals, who must be, as Nelson
claimed the right to be, free to act
when the fitting opportunity ar
rived"
Now, Secretary Long is a member
of the War Board; at least he is fire.
quently with it during it's sessions,
and he says that the views of the
Times as to the proper functions of
war council express exactly the func-
tions conferred upon and exercised
by the Naval War Board. 1t has
worked ceaselessly and intelligently
to learn the movements of the enemy
and the enemy's plans, and to gather
all kinds of information that would
be of value to the United States naval
commanders now at sea.
Has Make No Mistakes.
1t has not undertaken to hamper
them with unnecessary instructions,
but supplying them with all informa-