The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-05-20

Washington, May 19.-Rear Aomlra4
John Irwin, retired, gave tonight an ana
iysis Of the compartive strength of the
American and Spanish squadrons and his
forecast of the event in case Of an en-
fragment. Adwiral Twins summing up
Is brief but as effective as 1O-inch gun:
THE Spanish squadron would not have
4 chance in the world" he siad, 'In an en-
eagement with either SIMPSONS or
Sciley's squadron. Either one would wipe
the Spaniards off the face 0 fthe sea l
doubt xvery much if the Spanish have
my Intention of joining issue. My theory
IS that they were obliged 70 leave Spanish
waters and come to the West Indies by
reason OF popular clamOr at home. They
hoped, perhaps, 20 pick up some OF our
smaller ships. but have no disposition for
battle. Il would be simple suicide. 1
hear that the squadron is now off Cura-
COO. L is probable they figure on making
4 hurried run to a Cuban port-Cienfue-
eos. I would say would be their best point.
There they would be in easy communIca-
ton with Havana and other points.
The. VIII avoid meeting in the open
sea IT j CAL ioS-4l'4E '' 'i.'it~- '''''' 49,
nut A Iimil on the annihilauon of the
Spanish squadron in ease Sampson finds
il. The dure ton Of the combat might de-
pend. perhaps. on Sampson having MS
squadron complete. The length OF time
required TO sink them. may be increased
by the fast that ii requires considerable
time to LOAD and fire our heavy guns
] think one could have time to finish his
cigar before the fight ended.
There is no comparison in the metal
throwing capacity Of the two squadrons,
The Spanish fleet IS composed OF four ar
mored cruisers and three destroyers-thes
latter I am inc.ned to reard WITCH more
superstition than / do the cruisers. The
four cruisers count in their main batteries
some 90 guns, and in the secondary bat
teries have about 50, if | am not wrong
Then regal Simpsons West india ships:
The Iowa las four Finch and eight s.
inch guns: the Indiana has four 13-inch
and eight S-inch guns; the armored cruiser
New York carries six S-inch guns. The
monitors-Sampson has four since the
Miantonomoh has Joined him-carry four
lJ-inch guns each, except the Puritan,
whose pieces are Of Pinch calibre. The
Detroit. Montgomery Marbehead and the
other cruisers have from four to 10 heavy
guns each n their main batteries. l note
ony the armor-piercing pieces. In the
secondary batteries the smaller pieces
range in number from ON the Indiana
down TO nine in the Detroit. I am not
regarding the sunboats and the torpedo
boats. the scouts and numberless smaller
craft in this comparison. Ny views are at
the best merely general, for I have no de-
tailed information a hand.
1T can be seeen readily that there is
really no comparison in the relative
strength Of the squadrous. But. as have
raid much doubt if it were ever the
purpose oft he Spanish ships to make a
fight Of it, They Will hunt harboraGe. and
Sampson will nave 10 tfnhed ETAOlN
Sampson VIII have to find them. They Will
never look him up."
Further discussing naval possibilities,
Admiral Irwin expressed fervent wish
Tor an engagement in which the monitors
had part. Il believe they viii be found "a
be Of the greatest effectiveness. Barring
ber horsepower, which is not sufficient for
a high speed, I doubt if there is better
warship than TIE Puritan in The world. l
believe :hlt an opportunity for this class
of ships to test their powers practically
would he OF vast good 10 the navies Of the
world"
Admiral Irwin is as well acquainted with
the Cuban coast as the pilot Of a filibuster
He laid the West India cable, and in the
survey and work left no point unvisited
He is a warm anneNaiionist. and would
make the war one of conquest
I'VE should annex Hawaii" he said,
land then take posscsson of the Ladrones,
Coroline and PhiupnesiHiiE.TAOIN
Caroline and Philippines. which have all
been mal-adm by the Spanish.
They lie in the path - the Indies. and
with the Yves; Indian possessions of Spain
are the richest lands on earth when the
sizes are considered. Spain has never done
more than 10 scratch the cop Of her col
ouiai possessions. She has made no at
-emp; to develop them"