The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-04-28
Action Depends Much on Nsve-
msnts Of the Spanish Ships.
VNere VIII Nc No Eisisfas sise less 81
Any Of fhe Amerfcan Vessels by
AstacLisg the Forsiaeations, 50
LOng NJ There II . Ckanee 81 Che
Spanish Vessels Cosssg over Here
% Test Their strength With IL.

b
declares Havana viii not be bombardHi
until serious danger from the spanish feet
II eliminated. lie says TIE United sla;es
cannos afford 10 risk the loss OF a warsap
until this asmsdas are aesiroxed, or are 10
longer menace TO De greatly feared.
II might be an easy matter TO silence the
guns OF Moro castle ard the aeighoorsng
shore batteries. but In the conflict Anssfi-
can ships might be crippled beyond repair.
THE navy OF the United statea has . long
coast line TO defend, whiSh coumpels q scat
tcrfng OF its vessels. ard Il labors under
tie additional disadvantage of not know
ing the objective point of the enemy's
fleet. The American navy Is not 40 stroEg
bat that the icss OF single ship might
prove fatal In q naval engagement.
There ID the additional consideration that
when the troops have been landed Ia Cuba.
Shers mnst be a feet able 20 keep the line
Of supplies open and cooperate In the re-
duction OF Spanish strongnoids. II 10
common habit 30 desplse the power Of
Spain, but naval officers say IL IL q mistake
In .hc case of the armadas. a chance shot
or .wo might weaken tho American squad
ron just enough 10 give the enemy yic-
tory In the expected sea fight. and the
navy department viii not take the chance.
urhc secret service OF the department. has
sent word that Spanish ships were TO sail
10 this side. and II 10 thought possible that
The armada which eft Cadix several dass
ago may be on the way across the Attain
tic. The fee: at Cape Verde islands will
aisc move in order to obey the neutrality
% this side.
Naval officers and government officials
generally are anxious for chance to test
tho merits OF the two navies. They are
confident OF victory for the American
shIps and the sooner tho sea fight comes
the halter II win please them. The danger
from tho Spanish armadas renewed or
minimixed. the taking Of Cuba would be
comparatively easy matter. and the eyes
oe Americans are turned across the sea for
movements o. the enemy's fleet. 1t Is inti-
mafed In naval circles that plans have
been made for tho union Of the .auadrons
Of Admiral Sampson and Commodore
Echley. n the Spanish sncsrsd attempt 10
mass their offensive power. In the hope OF
catching either one of the saradrons un-
awares. TO he destroyed before the arrival
Of reinforeements.
II Is thought flee. cruisers viii he sent
cut az scouts as soon as news II received
Of q movement OF the armadas to cross the
Atlantic. ard IL Is surm.sed tha, ia wha.
ehe Columbia and the Minneapolis are do
Ing now. ia
The tactics of the Spanish are a mystery,
hut II Is suspected they may make an at
tempt TO honafard some of the big cities
on the North Atlantic CEASE. 1t Is possible
consor.s. and IT is believed the American
cruisers are scouting the ocean to intercept
them. if they should be discovered APP
preaching the United States the scout
would scud hack to tlis nearest port ard
send message 10 the flying sans arcr.
The American navy is thus tied up 10 some
extent until the enemy shows his hands.
Preparations are going on for the move
mcnt Of force of regulars Into Cuba ~
soon as possible II Is rumor,d that the
force may be is.eos instead Of s.osa The
object is to establish base of operations.
open communication with Gen. Gomez ana
feed "a many OF the rsconeen,rados as can
be reached.
The daring ACT of Lieut.. 5ohn {. FFemans
and a party fror, the torpedo boat Porter
In landing under thc guns az Matsnxas
Sunday night. Was hailed with much sat.
iSfactian. A rfpos, Is earten, thar ii u
Fremont landed pilot, who has conducted
a number 81 iiieus,erfng expeditions. and
that this pilot was dispatches with nes
Sagca - Gomez
/: Is ne, probable ;he American land
fierce viii engage ia an aggressive cam
iaign against tse Spansarsis for some time
ii VIII be equipped however 70 withstand
q siege IN case tae blockade squadron
should be Gated away Ia saeet 'hc enemy.
reess. and 10 thar emf wlii aoueslezs throw
nn tTeasfwoTas az eoastrs9cs ordinations
q seuse sert
A. otsicfsl hi>h gn Shr wav department. Is
authority fer fae S1assa 1eus tNs3 ,se s>iun.
teeFs called Tor wln he held e, tAslg state
sncasapmen,s indefinitely 90 be erespi.
eaa hardened.
y plan has been prsrosesi 70 gather them
o. great camps ~ Washington. Richmond
Atlanta 80 tAickauaugs. bvs it w. d.
e.asess TO-DAY shat Shese troops wau aot
l. mavsa t. such cauass gor weeks,
TIE volunteers can bs tsslnet in 'h,r
own ssss9S Is Ne} ss snS where else. :,
Vas explained, snd thousands Of 'nassess
ed wives W., Is ltsvetl q mur8 snx-
tety J. Is arsUea snsre - aS nesd II AJAX
.ng the ser>i-e raetv e., * ;s&a nc s3tua
s'ep demands Tive l'1gse,3 Sga',-s Is n IRE
defensive asa -asue' sael; sAe as.i'sa ss the
eaensys aeess. l.sesnee tle &aseft an asvx
has not s'.s.ss tses pgree e1sse ef
strength 10 waFreat tAs tkss u ebaases
j vas sessTusss1 e shs sara .l'sse.yr s},f
'he vo'anteers snsht aos ~eF n eAaass st
Gaia arts afssr ,ee rainy sssssE-