The Portland daily press., 1898-05-07
IMPATIENT AT DELAY.
Naval Ofcers Chafe Under the "Peacefui
War; Policy.

Copyright 1893 by the Associated Press.)
On Board the Associated Press despatch
Boat Kate Spencer off Havana, via hey
West, Fla, May Cit is monotonous
work drifting idly about In the burning
sun during the day and patrollinS tne
coast at night, with only an occasional
chase for diversion. Therefore, 1t Is hoo
astonishing that the officers and men OF
the fleet alike are looking eagerly IorWaru
to the day when the rumored movement
of the United States army will take place.
The glorious news of Commodore Dewey, S
victory. meagre as are the details wnlcn
have found their way to the blookading
squadron, was received with intense re-
joicing, and there were many hearty
oh eers for Uncle Sam, although the
victory was nothing more than what
every American naval officer expected a
crushing defeat for the Spanish fleet from
the Cape Verie islands, If 1t reaches
American waters being also put down as
one Of the absolute certainties OF the
future. The possibilities of Spanish
victory is not even entertained, much
less discussed.
The Associated Press despatch boat
Kate Spencer cruised up the Cuban coast
from Matanzas to Havana yesterday. At
Matanzas torpedo boat was spoken on
her return westward from the flagship, to
which she had carried dispatches to Rear
Admiral Sampson which had arrived
after the departure of the New York. An
officer OF the Hornet says that yesterday
morning the Spanish flag was raised over
a lighthouse on sand spit just east OF
the entrance OF Matanzas, and he thinks
two guns were mounted there. II sunrise
proves this to be correct, 1t is possible
that with the aid of the Hornets quick
firing six-pounders that officer will very
shortly be in possession of the two Span
ish guns and the lighthouse. A mum ber
of cane fires are burning between Matan-
zas and Havana and but few of the small,
turret like block houses which dot the
crest Of the green bluffs on the shore,
show evidence of life. At the mouth OF
small inlet however. lay a tiny coast
guard vessel at anchor. She was about
the size of small Daphtha launch and
the yellow flag of Spain foated from her
tsfrail. There has been a feeling of
serious unrest in the blockading squadron
and some natural criticism owing to the
failure to receive orders to occupy some
port of Cuba. The supposed nature of
the orders recently received BY Rear Ad-
miral Sampson has lessened this tension.
If the advantageous circumstances
which at present render Simpsons fleet
SO fit to fight would only continue indef-
nitely naval officers could possibly find
some explanation for the delay. But
every twenty -four hours spent at sea de-
tracts somewhat from the fighting capaci-
ty of warships. Their bottoms become
foul, especially in southern latitudes and
their speed is diminished while their
crews, particularly on wearisome block
ade suffer from the inaction. Then. too.
in short time the rainy season will COM
mence and operations will then be con-
Quoted at Ii disadvantage. At present
there are many places suitable for landing
troops under the guns of the feet, when
the danger of yellow is nil, where naval
and military base can be easily estab-
lished and whence fair sized army can
operate with every chance of success.