The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-05-11
THE SPANISH FLEET.
Its Return to Cadix Not Liked BY the
Department.
MAY BE ON THE WAY TO MANILA.
Can Go Through the Suez Canal and
Reduce Distance.
NOTHING HEARD or SAMPSON
Possible that He May Have Opened
Up on Porto Rico.
TINE IS NOW THE GREAT FACTOR
atcguinrs and Volunteers WIN lie
Hurried 10 the ScacOmst Towns
ana Emba rked for Cubn.
TINE IS NOW THE GREAT FACTOR

Washington, May 10 lit is hard to tell
whether tho navy officials were relieved or
disappointed by the news In the dispatch
10 the navy and state departments to the
effect that the Spanish flying squadron
had arrived at Cadiz, Spain. The safety
OF the Oregon Is now assured and the way
10 clear for military operations In Cuba
without running the risk Of having the DC
cupying army's line of communication cut
OF. On the other hand 1t Is believed no
enduring peace can be secured until the
Spanish navy has been destroyed and 1t nov
appears that to do this our steamers must
make up their minds TO go after the Span
iards, task very much more difpcG,t
than that of meeting them near our shores
IL was suggested by some OF the members
OF the war board that there was lust a
possibility that the Spanish squadron might
make quick passage into the Pacific
through the Suez canal and attack Dewey
at Manila It Is said that contrary to the
common understanding tho Sucz canal s
ortn to the warships OF helllgcrent powers
so that If spains vessels choose to lake
the course they would have long start
of any pursuing fleet from our side of tb,.
Atlantic 1t is scarcely believed, however
tfa' the Spanish are willing to Lake. tbs
great rist of exposing to attack their ycs
sells away from home.
Nothing was heard from Sampson TODAY.
nut there is confident expectation that
interesting news will he had from tho
squadron within the next twenty four
honrS' Whether this means an attack on
Porto Rico or not can not be learned.
one OF the effects OF the retreat Of the
spanish iloct has been to hasten tho prem
aratohs, already under fun hendway far
tho dispatchng of military oxuedltlops to
Cuha' 1t has also caused a complele
grange In the concentrating plans Time
is now believed to be one of the rreut
factors There Is no longer opportunity IN
make extensive drilling aud practice man.
euvers Tho regular army troops do not
need this and are to he thrown at once Inio
tho fray
Many of the regiments of the National
Guard which are entering the volunteer
service are toi, to he sufficiently trained
from military point of View to follow
inc regulars Immediately and the depart
ment Indicated its purpose today of dis
patching these volunteers directly to the
Gulf coast for shipment instead of sending
them TO Chickomaugn
This disposition was shown by IN.
changes In the new orders ISSUED to th,
troops though there yet may he return
TO the original programme of the concen .
tiatiou plan
The quartermaster general has ALREADY
gotten under charter twenty.seycn NOR
chant steamers for carrying troops and.
roughly speakng, these should carry about
10000 men. Others are being procured AZ
rapidly as possible, The plan OF the war
uerartmont is to have these vessels assam .
plcd at the different gulf ports Tampa
Mobile. New Orleans and Galveston to taxa
troops which viii be sent there. The navy
department expects to furnish convoy for
the troops which would be absolutely helm.
less against Spanish attacks.
AT this rolntNthere are signs of friction.
First. the troops would be Obliged TO avail,
Admiral Sampson's return to convoy them
and. secondly the navy objects very do.
cidedly to undertaking the task of convoy
ing number OF troops, II insists that tc
assure the safety Of the convoy of the
troops all OF the troops should be gath
cred in one fleet to start from Tampa and
II Is not likely to prevail in this,
Major General Sowell has been assigned
TO command the concentration camp al
Falls Church and preparations are being
rushed to put the grounds In shape for the
reception OF them,