The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-06-01
PLAN OF THE CAMPAIGN
Brazil, Japan and Other Government Is
sue Proclamations of Neutrality-Con-
struction OF the New Battleehips to
Be Rushed - 1t Is Believed That the
Task of Entering Santiago Harbor Is
by No Means So Dangerous and DIM
cult as Has Been Asserted.

Washington, May 31-The significant
statement was made by a cabinet OFF,
GER after the regular Tuesday meeting
of the cabinet that no news had been
received since Monday from Commo-
dore Schiey direct. and now 1t was be-
lieved that nothing would be heard for
two or three days at least This Is
taken to mean that Schley probably
viii await the arrival of troops before
undertaking any active move on SAN
tiago.
1t was plainly anticipated in some
quarters that he might. through the
possession of some information that
would tend to neutralize the strength
of the enemy's position. make bold
attempt to enter the harbor Of Santiago
and destroy or capture the Spanish
squadron. With the assistance of a
single regiment of United States regu-
lars. which could be even now on their
way to his support. the officials are
confident that the feet can reduce the
forts at the entrance to Santiago har-
Dor and make untenable the position
of the Spanish squadron within. or
course the plan Is based upon the the
ory that Cervera will not attempt to
| make his escape by a desperate sortie
at night.
This movement Of schley's Is unques-
tionably I'm pursuance of the presidents
policy to send a helping hand to the
starving reconcentrados. The Spanish
squadron might be kept within San
tiago harbor until the end OF the war
without sensibly endangering any
American life. and because of its dis
tance and isolation from Havana San
-
attack But lying in the very midst OF
the insurgent section of the island. the
town would AFFORD a splendid case for
the distribution of supplies to the fam
lilies CT the insurgents and to the re-
concentrates who still drag out a mis-
| erable existence in the interior. AL
ready the president has begun to pre-
pare to help these people. and the COM
missary general of the army has pre-
pai ed an estimate of $5.000.000 for the
! purchase of sufficient supplies 10 feed
| $50, 900 reconcentrados for three months.
! For the time being, IL is felt that the
| real field Of action is removed from
Washington and Is centered with the
| troops now advancing under orders
| from here with our ships. The time OF
preparation has gone by. and II remains
| only for the preparations to be carried
| into actual effect. A leading naval ofr-
| cial pointed to his desk. which WAS clear
| of papers and documents. and remarked
| that all the preparatory details were
now well along. and that so far as the
| authorities here were concerned. they
had only to wait for the execution OF
| the preparations heretofore matured.
| There will continue TO be much routine
| detail In the maintenance OF the large
| military and naval force. but this Is
now in well established channels.
The more vital feature Of the cam
paign itself has been fully matured.
| To n certain extent the military and
naval operations will be directed from
| Washington, and vet with General
Miles in the South and Admiral Samp-
son and Commodore Schley in Cuban
/ waters they will have most to do with
/ the time and circumstances of attack
| The commanders. military and naval.
| have been given wide latitude, Is the
/ authorities here fully appreciate that
battles can not be fought in advance
/ on paper. All that has been attempted
| is to outline a campaign and make the
/ fullest provision for ADEQUATE forces,
| ample supplies and the fullest cooper
alton between the navy and army in
| the successful execution OF the plans.
The real blows are for the commanders
| 10 strike. and in the execution of this
| part of the programme the authorities
here can take little part II is for this
| reason that they regard themselves
now rather as prelators of what is
about 10 occur
The consular reports issued to-day
| contain some additional declarations of
! neutrality this time from Brazil.
Japan. British Guinea. 81. Lucia and
, Gibraltar u is noticeable that both
Brazil and Japan go out OF the way of
the usual hostilities between the Uni
ted states and Spain. Bermuda modi-
fed her original proclamation OF April
%, so as TO make the rule relative 20
supplying provisions. subsistence and
coal 10 belligerent ships conform close
IN to the very severe English rules on
that subject. The Japanese proclama-
ton is rather remarkable from the
great exactness with which IL pre-
scribes the rules that are TO govern
Japan subjects in their dealing with
the belligerents. and as TO the treat
ment which will be accorded TO bellig-
erent ships. The proclamation evil
|, IDENTIFY was prepared with great care
| and may serve as a model for the
guidance Of diplomats of all nations.
The board of naval bureau chiefs Is
trying TO hasten the work of construc-
| ton of the batlsships authorized by
the present naval appropriation bin
The Illinois type upon which The new
vessels are 10 be constructed will oc-