Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-05-11
Special to the Register.

Special to the Register.
Washington, D. c., May 10
With keen regret Washington
learned this evening that no
chance existed of Admiral Samp-
son finding the Spanish Cape
Verde feet in Porto Rican waters,
for reliable news had reached the
State and Navy Departments dur
ing the afternoon Of the arrival Of
the Spanish cruisers and torpedo
boats at Cadiz
The Spaniards had not dared to
cross the ocean for an encounter
with our feet, and thus the eXpec-
tation of a second decisive victory
for the American navy within two
weeks was disappointed.
The Spanish government evil
IDENTIFY means to leave Cuba and
Porto Rico to their fate, rather
than risk the destruction of the
best vessels in its navy. No
doubt it hopes by saving what is
left of its fleet to infict great in
jury on our commerce directly by
capturing American ships, and in
directly by a prolonged, desul-
tory warfare.
But meanwhile both Cuba and
Porto Rico will fall into our hands
and eventually our Meet may hunt
the Spaniards in their own wat
ers and force them to fight to
finish. This will undoubtedly be
done sooner or later if the Span
iards continue the war after Cuba
and Porto Rico nave purn s..rcured
by us and if Europe fails to force
the Spaniards to sue for peace in
order to escape utter ruin.
Jews of the falling of Porto
Rico may be expected at any hour,
for Admiral SIMPSONS instruc-
lions directed him to take that
island as we'll as to capture or de-
stroy the Spanish fleet if he
found it.
He will carry out these instruc-
lions as to Porto Rico if he finds
it can be done without too great
danger to the integrity of his
fleet. for it is understood he was
left a certain discretion in his
operations, so that if the batteries
at San Juan should prove more
dangerous than anticipated he
might not lose any Of his vessels.
But no doubt is felt that his fleet
will be able to silence the San Juan
batteries, capture the city and
gain control of the island without
grave difficulty.
This done, he will leave por-
ton of his feet there, including
the monitors, and hasten back
with the other ships to aid in the
invasion of Cuba by 10000 or 3d.
600 American troops. The GER
tainty that the Spanish feet is
not coming has decided the ad-
ministration to rush its plans for
the invasion of Cuba with all pos
sible speed and energy.
The final decision was no doubt
reached at the council of war held
at the White House late this after
noon. on the receipt of the cable
gram from London that four
Snanish cruisers and three torpedo
boats had arrived at Cadiz.
Immediately after this council
~ was announced that General
Miles had finally decided to pro-
coed to Tampa tomorrow to per-
sonally take charge of the work
in connection with the invasion of
Cuba.
But it will probably be two If
not three weeks before a sufficient
force of troops can be gotten into
Cuba to variant the grand COM
bined attack on Havana by sea
and land.
It is hard to tell whether the
naval officials were relieved or dis
appointed by the news that the
Spanish flying squadron had ar
lived at CadiZ.
The safety of the Oregon from
attack is now completely assured
and the way is clear for military
operations in Cube without rum