The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-07-06
AN ENGLISH VIEW.
Think Shafter Struck Too Soon
Praise American Navy.

New York, July "a dispatch to the
Tribune from London says:
Military and naval experts are enabled
to express their opinions respecting the
Santiago operations with clear knowledge
of the facts. They are critical, but this
does not imply unfriendliness to America,
but merely intense interest in the art
of war. One of the highest officers of
the British army considers that General
Skaters advance on Santiago was i'm
prudent when his force was materially
inferior to the requirements of the cap
ture of the town by storm. He declares
that Shafter on landing ought to have
taken up a strong defensive position, for
titled it and waited for reinforcements
and siege guns before attempting to carry
by storm the Spanish position. He be-
ton after Fridays battle and was only
delivered by Cervera's folly in pushing out
of the harbor and allowing Sampson to
win victory on the easiest terms.
The high officer considers that the
and that the serious loss of life was un-
necessary. Other officers, while credit
dash, vaIor and fortitude. are disposed to
criticise what they consider grave indis-
ington in publishing Starters urgent call
for reinforcements and in pronouncing
gained and held advanced positions
drawn battle"
criticism of Simpsons fleet, and marvel
a the facility with which Cervera's pow
Journals like the Globe that Sampson
weeks ago and that there has been a lack
of cooperation between the naval and
expert who is familiar with the approaches
to the inner bay. The handling of the
f1cers Of the British navy as beyond the
range of cavilling criticism. They do not
admit that the battle has much practical
utility in its bearing upon naval warfare.
For example, there is much astonishment
have proved ineffective, even against a
steam pleasure yacht, but the deduction
is made that this proves nothing, since
the Spaniards displayed no skill in using
these vessels.
naval matters assert that the comparative
value OF armOred cruisers and battleships
vera S fleet. with English crews on board
might have sunk one of the most formid-
William Allan, one Of the most practical
naval experts in parliament, contends that
engagement. since it has neither engineers
nor MECHANICS competent for scientific
mara's feet. after entering Suez canal
hopes that Sampson will promptly enter
In diplomatic circles there is a general
feeling that the Madrid government will
ground for bopine that C5srnanv InsV fn ~
terVene in the Philippines in some way
The presence of a German fleet at Manila
out Of all proportion to any requirements
considered by some of the best informed
men here a convenient pretext for the con-
tinuance of the war by the Madrid gov
eminent, in the desperate hope that some
complication may arise.
One of the most mysterious factors in
the situation Is Aguinaldo, whose in
trigues against his leading associates are
reported in press dispatches. He is re-
garded as a Spanish fnsurgent of consid-
rupt and unprincipled. Among diploma
lists he is described as an insurgent who
was bought up not long ago by the Span
ish government. but. who was easily in
duced to act in conjunction with Dewey
in the expectation Of receiving a hand
some reward. He is regarded as an un-
trustworthy and uncertain leader unfit to
be placed in control of the islands, and as
one who would readily make a coalition
with Germany for the purpose of embar-
RAISING the American forces in the islands.
Ambassador Hays judicious and eIo-
quent speech at the American dinner is
praised by nearly every London journal,
and is attracting more attention than any
address previously made by him. 1t i'm
parts a new impulse, to the movement for
which was irresistibIa before