New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-06-28

significant Of the purpose OF the Administration
to push the war against Spain with the utmost
energy. and to bring the Spanish people as
quickly and sharply as possible to realization
OF the futity and costliness Of a protracted re-
sstance.
RAID TO BE SHARP AND SUDDEN.
The naval raid against Spain, although for
some time under consideration, promises TO be
attended with all the suddenness that marked
Deweys descent upon the Philippines and the
landing OF General Shafter near Santiago II
the spaniards arc disposed to regard the an
nouncement made to-day Of Commodore Wat
sons departure In the Newark as anything IN
the nature Of bluff" designed to hurry Ad-
miral Camara back from Suez. they are doomed
to quick and bitter disappointment, for the raid
ing squadron will be fairly on the way across
the Atlantic before the end OF this week. and
before the middle Of July the cities and the ship
ping of the Spanish coast will be painfully aware
of their presence.
Until Saturday last the plan which the Presi-
dent has had under consideration for several
weeks involved the formation Of feet distinct
ly more formidable and speedy than the one no"
under orders 1t included the armored cruisers
Brooklyn and NewYork, OF twenty-one knots
speed; the Columbia and the Minneapolis, or
twentv-three knots; the Cincinnati and the New
ark Of twenty knots the auxi!iaries st. Paul
and St Louis. OF twenty-five knots. with tho
Iowa and the oregon. of sixteen knots. to follow
as quickly as possible behind the flying cruisers
1t would have been necessary to bring several
Of these vessels North and clean them in dry
dock before starting them on their long cruise
away from an inexhaustible base Of supplies, in
volving delay OF several weeks
PLAN DRAWN UP BY CAPTAIN MAHAN.
The news Of the American losses in the skir-
mish at La Quasina however. caused the Presi-
dent to call Secretaries Long and Alger into
consultation regarding the best way to convince
the Spanards Of the hopelessness Of their stub
horn resistance TO the inevitable. and within
a few hours Captain Mahan OF the Naval War
Board. had convinced the authorities that
thoroughly effective feet. involving all the ele-
ments essential to insure success, could at once
be dispatched to give the Spanards at home
nm obtect-lesson Of the stern realities Of war
Captain Mahan readily drew up the plan pro-
vid!ng for the immediate assembling OF the
frst-class battle-shps Iowa and Oregon the
recently modernized protected cruiser Newark
| with the auxiliary cruisers Yankee Yosemite
| and Dixie. accompanied by three colliers, which
could not only compel an abrupt cessation OF
! Spain's commerce and lombard her exposed
seacoast cities. but would prove more than
| match for any feet that country could hastily
| concentrate for offensive defensive purposes
The plan was promptly approved by the Presi-
dent, and telegraphic orders were sent to Com
nodore John Crittenden Watson until last week
commanding the North Cuban blockading
squadron. TO proceed at once to carry the plans
| into effect.
! THE sQUADRON's COMMANDERS
Commodore Watson is one Of the ablest and
r,ost axnerIenced officers Of high rank In the
NAVY. He was Admiral Farraguts flag lieuten-
ant ON the Hartford. and stood beside the Ad-
rn,ral in the crosstrees at the battle OF Mobile
| Bay where he was twice Wouhdeo' Inc 0"N'-
nanding officers Of the other vessels are among
the best fighters and best known men IN the
naval service. They are Captain Kobley d.
Evans OF the Iowa, enjoying the nickname Of
Fighting Bob: Captain Charles +. clark OF
the Oregon famous for his bravery and for his
resourcefuness IN bringing that vessel around
! Cape Horn: Captain A S. Barker OF the
| Newark until recently a member OF the War
| Board: Commander Willard H. BrownsoD Of
| the Yankee who ut Rio Brazil fired the shot
o