Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1898-05-12

WQS1lnKtOu Mdy ll.-3AiIIlilhl VII
lamii's squadron, comprising the first
class cruisers Vizcaya, Almirante
oqusndo, cristobal Colon and lnfanta
Maria Teresa and three torpedo boat
destroyers, which, since 1t left Cape
Verde, II days ago. had been supposed
TO be headed for Puerto Rico, has run
away from O fight with Rear Admiral
SIMPSONS big ships and is now an
ehored In the shelter of Cadiz harbor.
About the time wfA1 the strategists
were expecting word from Sampson OF
q victorious engagement with the ships
from the Cape Verde islands the state
department gave out this startling and
somewhat disappointing statement:
"Onicial information has been re-
ceved that four Spanish cruisers and
three tropedo boat destroyers have re-
turned to Cadiz."
Not long after this was made public
Secretary Long told the newspaper men
tina he had received advices from the
American naval attache at the British
legation in London confirming the state
departments report.
Changes OF Plan OF Campaign.
The strategists of course were upset
by the news They have been morally
certain, in the absence of any informa-
ton that Villamil's ships were at the
Canares or anywhere but beating west
ward on the high seas. that crash he
tween the belllSerent Atlantic squad
rons was question only of hours.
1t is asserted that San Juan de Puerto
Rico will not be bombarded and that
the island will he let severely alone for
the present at least or until Cuba il
freed and American military govern
ment firmly established there. 1t is
believed that this will be matter OF
not more than two weeks. and then the
heavier ships will he relieved for duty
against Puerto Rico or for drydocking
on the Atlantic coast preparatory for
n cruise in force, augmented by the
armored ships in Commodore Schley's
squadron, against Cadiz itself unless
Spain in the meantime sues for perma-
nent peace.
Naval Experts In Quandary.
It is hard to tell whether the naval
officials were relieved or disappointed
by the news that the Spanish flying
squadron had arrived at Cadiz. 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's line of communities
ton cut off. On the other hand, IL is
believed that no enduring peace can be
secured until the Spanish navy has beer
destroyed, and 1t now appears that t.
do this our sailors must make up theii
minds to go after the Spaniards. q
task very much more difficult than thai
OF meeting them near our own shores.
II was suggested by some of the men,
bers of the war board that there wai
Just possibility that the Spanish
squadron might make a quick passage
nm
and attack Dewey at Manila. 1t /!
said that contrary to the common un
Outstanding the Suez canal is open Il
warships OF belligerent powers, so tina
II the Spanish chose to take this cours
they would have long start of an.
pursuing fleet from our side of the At
lantic. II is scarcely believed, however
that the Spanish are willing to take tn
great risk of exposing to our attacl
their own home ports by the with
drawal of so considerable proportion
OF their naval strength as would be re
CURED to overmatch Dewey.
No News From sampson.
Nothing was heard from Sampso
yesterday, but there is confident ex
pectation that interesting news Will b
coming from his squadron within tn
next "a hours. Whether this means a
attack on futElO hlGO VI NV tohiiON
learned.
one effect of the retreat of the Spar
tsh fleet has been to hasten even MOI
the preparations already under flu
Roadway for the dispatching of militar
expeditions to Cuba. 1t also has cause
a complete change in the concentrate
plans. Time is now believed to be II
great factor. There is no longer oppo
tunity to indulge in extensive drillir
and practice Ananeuvering. Inc req
lar army troops do not need these ar
are to be thrown at once into the fra
Many of the regiments of the nation
guard which are entering the volunte
service are felt to be sufficiently train'
from military point of view to folio
the regulars Immediately. and the d
partment indicated Its purpose yeste
day of dispatching these yolunte
troops directly to the gulf coast
uhipment instead OF sending them
Chlckamauga. L..
Oregon and Nictheroy Safe.
In one respect the report of the a
rival of the Spanish fleet at Cadiz W
a great relief to the authorities. L
battleship Oregon and her consorts, I
Marietta and the Nictheroy, are sal
The Oregon left Bahia, where she O
rived yesterday morning, late Ia
night, Hucn 10 the iSBlSh VI so -
Gals, who are anxious to locate her
order to sead Captain Clark, her col
manding officer. instructions to hast
by the shortest route to the Unit
States.
TO oppose the Spanish fleet this go
eminent will be able to place in 0
squadron the first class battleshl
Iowa, Indiana, Oregon and Massach
sets, the second class battleship Tex
the armored cruisers New York a
Brooklyn, the protected cruisers Ne
yrk and New Orleans and some small
cruisers, torpedo boats and convert
sachts.
specuIations as TO spsin's Plans.
Notwithstanding the employment
this force on offensive work. the &c
eminent will have formidable fo
engaged in blockading duty and fl
to patrol the coast and destroy a
auxiliary cruisers that Spain may Sc
TO this side of the Atlantic.
In some naval circles the belief is
pressed that there is a possibility q
spain will attempt to retake the Phil
vines. The convention entered into
me great powers permitting belligere
to use the Suez canal would permit
20 dispatch her fleet through this wat
way, and the distance of $500 mi
could he covered by a fleet steaming
the rate of ten knots an hour in 30 da
AT Colombo, on the plea of taking