The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1898-05-18
40 STRA TElIT VALUE
Would Be the Capture Of Porto Rico
by Americans Just Vow.
QUICK INVASION OF CUBA.
In order 70 raks Advantaee OF the Drg-
aess OF May = PromPt start and
Active canpaSEn 4. constd-
cred AavEsable.

Washington, Nay 12-Although no
additional confirmation has been re-
eeived Of the news from London that
the Spanish squadron. which LETT the
Cape Verde islands two weeks ago. had
returned to Cadiz. the BELIEF has great
IL strengthened in ofaeial circles that
q cruise 70 Porto Riean OF Cuban VA
ters was never very seriously eOutem-
plated by Admiral VilIAmn-
No word has reached the navy de-
partment from Acting Admiral Samp-
son since the fleet under his command
Was sighted on the north coast OF San
Domingo, hut the failure OF any OF the
swift scouting cruisers sent IN advance
TO discover any traces OF the Spanish
squadron and the nonappearance OF the
Spanish men-of-War At any OF the US
ual coaling and supply stations OF the
Windward group have almost con-
yfneed the naval authorities here that
the Spanish commander has thought
discretion 10 be. the better part Of Talors
and has actually sought the refuge OF .
home port
As the capture Of Porto Rico at this
time has been held by the president
and his advisers to be Of little or no
strategic importance. complicating In
stead or Simplifying the task OF redue-
ing Havana and expelling the Spanish
land forces from Cuba. it has been vtr-
tually decided. as soon as the absence
of-the Cape Verde squadron from West
Indian waters is definitely established.
to recall TO Cuba the greater part OF
Acting Admiral Sampson;a feet. Cable
dispatches instTncting the American
commander to make no attack At pres
ent on San Juan, but to await further
orders on Porto Rico. have been sent
20 the various cable stations In the
winward group. and VIII doubles be
delivered within the next day or two.
There is. OF course. no immediate de-
mand for the services OF the whole
Key West feet before Havana
The smaller men-of-war left behind
by Sampson are competent to protect
the passage of the landing expedition
from Tampa, and to cover the lodg-
ment Of the invading army on the Gu
ban coast
But should an effort TO reduce the
fortifcations OF Havana from the water
side be thought necessary. the heaviest
Sighting ships NOW on Porto Hico
would have to be called on TO UNDER
take the bombardments while if the
"
Maria Teresa and the Crfstobal Colon
| should. after an. have passed unnetieed
into the Caribbean sea and should ap-
pear Unexpectedly OF the west end OF
Cuba, the presence OF the full Key
West squadron In that neighborhood
would be found indispensable 20 beat
OF the asszflants and maintain COM
munications with the American forces
already landed
Though Monday Is the date now set
for the departure Of the first division
of regulars from Tampa. It would ere
ate no great surprise II the troops we're
detained on Florida soil = few days
longer
To take advantages OF the eompara-
tive dryness of May. a prompt start
and = sharply directed CAMPAIGN
against Havana are considered adyisa-
ble
But Il seems certain that the volun-
/ teers who are TO follow the regulars
to Cuba can not be assembled On The
e,rf coast In 1t condition for 1eld
/ work within the neEt two weeks. 90
that operations VIII Scarcely Be poaal-
bile before Nay -