The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1898-07-09
A QUIET DAY IN WASHINGTON.
No News of Importance Received from
Either Branch of the Service in
the Enemy's Country.

WASHINGTON, July by COMPARE
ION with what has gone before, yes
terday was very quiet at the wal and
navy departments. There were bull
letins posted in the former depart
ment, but there were none of more re-
cent date than Tuesday, and, so far
from indicating an impending battle,
the general tendency of these bulletins
vas to show hat no forward move
ment is in absolu tely immediate con-
temptation.
VIII Hereafter Make Haste Slowly.
Deep concern is felt here at the de-
privations and sufferings of our troops
lying in the trenches and in field hos
pitfalls surrounding Santiago, and there
is everywhere a disposition to insist
that hereafter haste shall be made
slowly and that the equipment of our
soldiers, their com ,nissary and quarter
masters supplies, their ammunition
and their hospital stores shall be com
plete in every respect before they adj
vance further. This is likely to be the
rule ever at the expense of time and in
the face of the criticism of an element
that has vehemently insisted upon
rushing the campaign without regard
to cost in blood and money.
The President May Take a Hand.
Confidence is felt that there will be
no friction between the army and navy
commanders, and that the conference
between them will result in an agree
ment on a joint plan for the prosecu-
ton of the campaign. in the event
that this belief should be not well
founded the president is prepared to
act himself by orders from first hand.
ForcefuI Arguments in Favor of Delay.
There is much of force in the naval
argument that if Sampson is obliged
to enter Santiago harbor before the
forts are captured he will jeopardize
the safety of the whole of the ironclad
fleet under his command, since by the
sinking of one of these ships in the
narrow channel through a Spanish
mine or shell the fleet would be left
helpless and exposed to destruction
under the guns of the forts, to which
they could make no reply, owing to
III vi IilC ldILCl-
On the other hand, the army officers
seem to be justified in avoiding the
tremendous sacrifice hat would be in
volVed in again storming the Spanish
defenses until the troops have beer
materially reinforced in numbers and
strengthened by artillery.
The Exchange OF HObson and His Men.
Sampson did not report yesterday at
the navy department, but the var de-
partment sent over a very agreeable
message from Shafter announcing the
readiness of the Spaniards to exchange
Hobson and his men,. 1t is believed
this was accomplished some time dur
ing the day, though notice of it was
not received.
VIII Slightly Delay the Departure OF the
Eastern Squadron
The fact hat several of the vessels
selected for Watson's fieet were in the
thick of the engagement of July 3
promises to delay somewhat the de-
parture of the eastern squadron for the
shores of Spain. The vessels nave con-
sumed a good lea of coal and, with
out doubt, have expended Il large
quantity of their highest grade of
ammunition in their furious attack on
the steel war ships of the SpaniardS.
1t will be necessary to repleniSh these
stores before the long eastern voyage
is begun. However, Secretary Long
has given rush orders for the prepara-
ton of this squadron and it certainly
will be off in the course of a few days.
Destined to Sure Destruction.
The movements of the Cadiz fieet are
very puzzling to our experts here.
Weakened as it is by the sending back
of the torpedo-boat de~stroyers, the
Spanish squadron boundfo the Philip
pines seems destined to go to as sure
destruction as did Cervera's unlucky
ships when they headed westward from
che Cape Verde islands. The Span
iards are, without doubt, fully aware of
the inferiority of their feet, and why
they persist in sending them to be sunk
in the Philippines is, mystery.
Actually Bound for the Philippines.
The navy department was advised
yesterday that the squadron was pass
ing through the Suez canal, and as the
vessels mnst have paid the heavy toll
required in advance, the indications
are now regarded as conclusive that
the, ships are actually bound for the
Philippines. This belief stimulates
the preparations here for Watson's
sailing.