New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-05-11
SPAIN'S WAR FLEET AT CADlZ
NEW FACE on THE SITUATION.
THE DEMONSTRATIONS CAMPAIGN
PLANS GREATLY SIMPLlFlED.
NO OBSTACLE NOW IN THE WAY OF IN
VADING CUBA. AND ALL DANGER
TO THE OREGON REMOVED.
rpY rrLEGR.PH TO THE TEIBUNE.l

IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE Thih'Nb'I
Washington. May lO.-Tho news posted 'hS
afternoon at the State and Navy departments
that the formidable Spanish squadron which
left the Cape Ncrd Islands nearly two weeks
ago had REPORTED at Cadiz will If absolutely
confirmed. put an entirely new face on III"
naval and military operations planned by this
Government against Cuba and forto hlco' IL
has never been believed by experts of the sound
est Judgment here that the Cape Nerd squad
ron would have the temerty to appear in West
Indian waters. where II would be forced wl'hih
ton davs 10 give battle TO a vastly superior
American fleet or to seek an ignominlouS anu
useless refuge under the guns Of the forts In
san Juan llarbor.
\ cruise to Porto Rico could at best have
been nothing but n reckless and QuiXotlc vent
ure on Admiral Nillamils part Offering 10 strh
tecic or military advantage. and risking almost
certain defeat and destruction. An attempt 10
cut off the bajtlc-ship Oregon on her wa! UP
the South American coast might have rromiScn
substantial results from n naval point or view
but with that alternative abandoned. souhu
strategy seemed to command an immediate re-
turn Of the Cape Ncrd squadron 10 the aiarleS
o. 10 Cadz. Indeed. II Spain Is I" accompl'"
ANYTHING on this side OF the Atlantic II Is 'eaI
that she vii! have 10 muster all her nava! re-
:, urces for Il single bow-n blow which can oe
delivered with greater chances of success N
other waters than those Of Porto Rico and the
Gulf.
LANDING IN CUBA MADE EASIER.
II the return OF the Cape Vcrd squadron TO
Cadiz be verified beyond question. il VIII serve
greatly to simplify and tighten the task ot re
ducing Havana and cXpclling the Spanish lana
forces from Cuban soil With no hostll" spuad
ron 10 give battle 10 Off Porto Rico, san Juhh
can easily b. blOckadcd 10y a few or the war
ships now with Acting Admiral sampson anu
the rest of the fleet can be- employed IN covering
n landing movement e. be undertaken wlh'h 'h'
next four or five days. aud in completing the IN
vestment OF the Cuban capital. Probably three
weeks will be required 10 land In 'uba III
American army large and wcllcqripped enough
10 begin offensive operations against haVaH"'
and the practical certainty. # the state Depart
ment's Information about The return OF me 'ap'
Verd squadron To- Caliz is fully coniirin'd tAa'
no adequate Spanish naval force can N thai III
terval be brought across The Atlantic either 10
threaten the Northern coast cities or 10 mpetl
American communlrlU lUons with the invading
army. Will give tie proposed expedition to 'uhA
ma, free rein and overwhelming support Icy sea
which alone are necessary 20 insure IS success
SAFETY OF THE OREGON ASSURED
The failure OF the Cape Nerd squadron :"
venture 10 this side of the Atlantic also relieves
thc apprehcns!ons for The safe'y % the battle
shin Oregon. which can now make her way up
the South American coast from Bahia 10 Tie
West Indies without fear OF ambush. II Is be-
ueved that tie Oregon Will be next heard from
ar Pcrnambuco. a she Is understood 10 nave
sailed from Bahia before word could reach her
Of the newly discovered location Of fh" arinor"d
cruiser, supposed 10 be- lying in wait Tor her.
Kut from pernamhuco she VIII have clear
course 10 Barbados. and She Is now expected 7"
foin he Kcy West fleet either OF Porto R'co or
off Cuba som, time two weeks hence.
The postponcmcnt by General Miles FOR TWO
davs longer Of his trip TO Tampa 20 superintehd
rho depariure for cuba OF the first division OF
Rearulars now assembled there Indicates that
tbe movement II troops VIII not actually De-
BEGUN until early next week. But with the IN
voslon once started. from 5000 10 COCOA sea
eoned soldiers can be- landed in Cuba from the
various Gulf ports within three or four days
and the FIRST Corps Of Volunteers can be assem-
bled on the coast line ready 10 reinforce the
RncularS