New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-07-22
WATSON'S RAID POSTPONED.
MAY BE DROPPED ENTIRELY.
CAMARA'S RETURN NUILIFIES IT'S M
MEDIATE OBJECT
fBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRrBrsE.I


Washington. July 21-The project 10 send
Commodore Watson's feet across the Atlantic
has been suspended. II Will not leave Ameri-
can waters at all unless some contingency OF
war makes necessary sterner measures to secure
peace than have thus far received the Presi-
dents approval Secretary Long said this af-
ternoon that the departure OF the fleet had been
deferred until after the Porto Rico campaign. at
least but further than that he declined to in
duge in predictions. An alleged authorized
statement attributed to him that Commodore
Watson will be sent to Spain later. when the
Porto Rican campaign permits" he told Trb-
correspondent tonight, was untrue. He
had made no such statement
IT'S PURPOSE ACCOMPLISHED.
The organization Of the "rading squadron"
and the preliminary orders TO Commodore Wat
son we're the outgrowth OF Admiral Camara's
departure from Spain for the Philippine ISL
ands. The squadron was constituted on June
26 the day after the Spanish feet reached Port
Said. and only after the Navy Department
was convinced beyond doubt that Admiral
Camara had actually paid toll for his fleet
through the canal, demonstrating that Spain
was not "blufiing" but really intended her last
remnant Of naval force 10 attack Admiral
Dewey The War Board Immediately approved
Captain Mahan's plan TO send a strong feet
the Atlantic 10 menace Spain and to
compel Admiral Camara's return for the de-
fence of the Peninsula itself. II the Spanish
Admiral failed to accept this challenge and
continued toward the East. Commodore Wat.
son was directed to follow him with all pos
sible dispatch.
The mere announcement Of the scheme, as II
shrewdly calculated TO do. together with
the pitiable condition in which Admiral Camara
found the strongest members Of his fleet after
he had passed the canal. resulted in his prompt
return TO Spain and nullifed the immediate OBJ
ject Of Commodore Watsons cruise
BOMBARDMENT ONLY A LAST RESORT. f
II is stated advisedly and upon the highest
authority that the President has never contem-
plated an attack on Spain except as an extreme
resort to terminate the war. II has never been
his intention to lombard cities. however strong
or helpless. or TO capture and destroy fishing
vessels and defenceless coastwise commerce un-
I'll other measures had failed. The occupation
OF the Philippines and Of Porto Rico, with tho
overthrow Of Spanish sovereignty in those colos
MES and the election Of Spanish troops from
the whole island OF Cuba. without great loss oe
life from disease are to be achieved. II possi-
bic. before hostilities are to be carried into
Europe.
After Porto Rico comes altogether under the
American fag IL Spain does not awaken to
realization Of the futility Of further resistance.
as war necessity the "raiding squadron" prof.
ect may be revived; but just now Commodore
Watson is without any orders or discretion to
leave Admiral SIMPSONS command, and the
next important cruise of any Of the ships as
signed to his division will be to the northern
backwards. in some instances. and to San Juan
de Porto Rico in others Several Of the coll
liers which were gathered at Newport News for
the use Of his fleet will probably start at once
for Manila, taking the course around Cape