The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-04-27

Action Depends Much on Move
ments Of the Spanish Ships.
There VIII BE M hiskfng the Loss Of
Any at the Americas Vessels by
AttaekinE the Fertfacati0as, 80
Long ~ There In . Chamce Of the
to Test Thet. stresgth With IL.

CHICAGO, April IA special to the
Times-Herald from Washington says:
Secretary Long OF the raw department,
declares Havana vii. rot be bombarded
until serious danger from the Spanish fses
II eliminated. He SAYS the United States
cannot afford 10 risk the loss Of warsiip
until the armadax are destroyed. or are no
longer a menace TO be greatly feared.
1t might be an easy matter to silence the
guns OF Moro castle and the neighboring
shore batteries. hut In the conflict Ameri-
Can ships might be- crippled beyond repair.
The navy OF the United States has a long
coast lire TO defend. which compels scat
terinG OF It's vessels. and II laboTs under
Ahe additional disadvantage OF not know
ing the objective point OF the enemy.s
fleet. Tho American navy II not 80 strorg
but that the loss OF single ship might
prove fatal In a naval engagement
There Is the additional consideration that
when the troops have been landed In Cuba.
there must be fleet able 70 keep the line
Of supplies open and co-opera.e in the re.
ducsson Of spanish ssronabolds. II 10 a
commsn habit TO desplss the power Of
Spain. but naval officers say II is a mistake
On the case OF tho armadas. chance shot
or two might weaken the American squad
ron just enough TO give the enemy Vic
tory IN the expected sea fight. and tho
A. to hA rha
The secret service OF the department mas
sent word that Spanish ships were to sail
20 this side. and It 10 thought possible that
the armada which left cadix several days
sxo may DO on the way across the Allan
tie. The feet AZ Cape Verde islands will
also move In order to obey the neutrality
laws of Portugal. and that also may cross
10 this side.
Naval officers and government. officials
generally are anxious for chance to test
confident OF = victory for che American
ships and the sooner the sea fight comes.
che better |, will please them. The danger
from tho Spanish armadas removed or
uinimIxed the taking of Cuba would be
comparatively easy matter. and the eyes
az Americans are turned across the sea for
movements Of the enemy's aeat. Ii in !nsias
mated In naval circles that plans have
been made FOR the union or the sQaadrons
OF Admiral Sampson aud Commodore
mass their offensive power. In the hope o.
catching either one OF tho squadrons un-
awares. To he destroyed before the arriva!
Of reinsoreemeats.
II is thought flee. cruisers VIII be sent
out as scouts as Aoos a. news IL received
OF a movement OF the arp,asias TO cross the
Atlantic. ard Il Is surmised that is what
the Columbia and the Minneapolis are do
ms now.
The tactics Of the Spa nlst are MISERY.
tempt 70 Bernhard some e. the big cities
on the North Atlantic ecast. 1t il possible
that Is al. m!sslon Of tha relsSo and he@
sonsorfs and II - believed the American
cruisers are scouting the ocean 10 intercept
them. If they should ne discovered ap-
fMNaeaAhs me HtAeA HtstF@ hA@ HN@~t
would send back to the nearest p0r; and
send message 10 the ilysng squadron.
The Amegie.n navy IS ,ssis tied up to sorue
extent untH the cfiefssc- shows Ms hand.
Preparations are goins on for the move
suent of fierce Of regulars in.a Cuba a.
soon as possible. /; is rumorcd that the
force may he Is Ao snsteas OF $3.50. The
eniect Is IN establish 3 has of operations.
oaen communication wIts Gen Garaex an
seed as many Of the retoaeen,sa.ies IS can
ie reached
The daring act 81 t4.ut John e. Fremon,
and party :rom tAe torpedo boat Per ,er
IN landing nnsler sae swnS 80 MRtsazas.
SUNDAY nsgAt. WAS hailed With much sat-
.sggction. \ report is c4rreut tha} Lieut..
Fremont landed 4 pj.o,. who has es,,due,ea
number of aGbustertnS expeditions. ara
that this plot was dispatched wj;h mes.
ssges % Gousvs-
II is net probable she American lard
fierce wiz snSage 81 al aggressive -sa}-
raign against tse span,ards tor some I.rne,
j will - equipped. however. - Withstand
Siege Ia case TIE blockade sQnaasoa
shoal,s - cs,,sd away % sneet tae enemy :
fleets. ard ;o IA, esa AIT deuh:less ;as -
up bssas.wers<s or CONSTITUTES fosti0c&tIos'
q sonze s5yt
A or - a.sh in ne war aepsF,meH, 4.
sasaorstN t>r sse statement; tass ire vogun-
tecrs esjted ;or ~3il be held IN their state
eGcampmcais indefinitely. 10 ~ crgaass &
ard hardened
\ plan hss tssn proposed - gather shrsn
In gvvst cswps a. Washington Rschmsns
Atlanta % rh4sksEssngs. bat il wss de.
clarea to-day tAst THESE t-Aeps weua na,
se moved a. siya ramps foF weeks
Tbs volunteers can IA srsnes III sa,iS
e~n states as wel a. anywhere rise. Il
~as Implanted snd Thousands al nasasss
sna wives Will be relieved os rnass snx.
s>A.> n IN A.~aaAs sA..> "a sa A>sA. ~ saak.