The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-05-11
SPANISH FLEET
RETURNS TO CAD|l.
No Opportunity to Crush It With
out Crossing the Ocean.
A Change of Plans Necessitated. and
Troops Will he Thrown Into Cuba
at Once, Instead of Waiting for
the AnnihiIatiOn of the Spanish
Fleet, Vessels Having Already
Been Chartered for That Purpose.

e s@ s 4sz 4
WASHINGTON. May 1o.--It Is hard to
tell whether the naval officers were re-
lieved or disappointed by the news that
came late this afternoon 10 both the navy
and state department to the effect that the
Spanish flying squadron had arrived at Ca
diz Spain. The safety OF the Oregon from
attack is now completely assured and the
way is clear for military operations in
Cuba. without running the risk OF having
the occupying army line OF communication
cut off
On the other hand, 1t is believed that no
enduring peace can be secured until the
Spanish navy has been destroyed. and II
now appears that TO do this our sailors must
make up their minds to go after the Span
ish. a task very much more difficult than
that OF meeting them near oar own shores.
II was suggested by some OF the members
of the war board that there was just
possibility that the Spanish squadron
might take quick passage into the Pacific
through the SueZ canal and attack Dewey
at Manila. II Ia said that contrary to the
common understanding the Suez canal Is
open TO warships of belligerent powers. so
that If the Spanish choose to take this
course they would have long start OF any
pursuing feet from our side Of the Atlantic.
It Is scarcely believed. however. that the
Spanish are willing to take the great risk
OF exposing to our attack their home ports
by the withdrawal OF 80 considerable pro-
portion of their naval strength as would
be required 10 overmateh Dewey.
Nothing was heard from Sampson today
but there is confident expectation that in
teresting news will he coming from his
squadron within the next twenty-four
hours. Whether this means an attack on
Porto Rico or not. cannot be learned One
effect of the retreat OF the Spanish feet
has been to hasten even more the prepara-
tions already under full headway for the
dlspatching OF military expeditions 20 Cuba.
1t also has caused a complete change in
the concentration plana Time is now be-
lieved to be the great factor. There ia no
longer opportunity to indulge in extensive
drilling and ssrac,ice nsancuvering- The
regular army troops do not need these. and
are 10 be thrown az once into tha Fray
Many of the regiments of the National
Guard. which are entering the volunteer
service. are felt 10 be sufficiently trained.
fran military point Of view. to follow the
regulars Immediately. and the department
indicated its purpose today OF dispatching
these volsntees troops directly TO the Gulf
coast FOR shipment. Instead Of sending taern
10 chickamaaga-
This disposition was shown By the
changes In the new orders issued 10 the
troors although there yet may be return
to the original programme Of concensra-
ton, IL the plans shows signs Of weakness
as they develop The auariernaaster gen.
eral has 4lTSady got under cnastsr twenty
seven merchant steamers for the transp3r-
talon OF troops. and roughly speaking taese
shouid carry about aeso aen. Others are
being procured as rapidly as possible.
The pan Of tlIe war department Is 10
haye these vessssss assemble ~ tae dlggee-
eas Gua ports. lamps, sfohsle. Nav Or
:ezns ard Galveston. 20 take or troops
which VIII be sent there. The navy de-
&ygtnsnt Is expected ta furnish convoy