New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-05-11
A CHANGE OF WARLIKE SCENE.

Yesterday changed materially the aspect Of
the war News was posted at the State and
Navy Departments at Washington that the
Spanish fleet. which sailed from the Cape Nerd
Islands nearly two weeks ago to do some great
things on this side of the Atlantic. had re-
turned to Cadlz What caused the change Of
Spanish campaign does not appear. 1t may
lie that the superior strength Of the American
fleet was recognized. and 1t was felt that 1t
would be madness TO risk an engagement. 1t
may be that Spain has decided 10 play wait
ing game and compel the American feet TO
seek hers n her own waters. II ever 1t IS TO do
80 at all Or 1t may be, as has been suggested,
that she means to send her feet post haste
through the Suez Canal to Asiatc waters, in
hope Of trapping Admiral Dewey at Manila
and getting vengeance for the work of May
Day. We shall see If the first theory be cor
rect the wisdom of Spain is TO be commended.
If the second-well stranger things have hap
pened than tue repetition of Manila at Cadiz.
If the third the necessity Of reinforcing Adj
miral Dewey as speedily as possible Is appar-
emit Eeenforcements can get to him from San
Frs Dcisco before the Spanish fleet can get to
him by way Of SueZ. And IL only this Nation
had been enterprising and shrewd enough to
make canal for itself across the Central
American lsthmus, few Of the warships now
IN Caribbean waters could be got there in time
10 Join in the reception to the Spaniards.
The immediate effect Of this change OF Span
ish plans. II the news be confirmed. will be the
return of Admiral SIMPSONS feet TO the Gulf
and the military occupation Of Cuba. AS al
ready explained, that occupation has been de-
layed only until the Spanish fleet could be dis
posed of, in order that our feet might devote
It's chief attention 10 protecting and supporting
the invading army. The return Of the Spanish
feet 10 Cadlz effectually disposes Of 1t for a
fortnight or more, at least. In that time It
will be possible to do much In Cuba perhaps
10 wind up the whole business there. The
troops are ready to march and sail at brief
notice, the transport ships are at hand, the
Cuban insurgents are ready 10 welcome and
cooperate with thar dellverers, and the Span
ish Army is IN state Of Generalization. with
its commander desperately appealing TO Madrid
10 send him supplies which cannot be sent, or
az any rate not delivered. There Is little rea-
son TO doubt that the operations Of such an
army as is in readiness would make on land
n splendid complement to Admiral Deweys per
Torrance in the Eastern seas
AT any rate the order Of the day Is unmstak
able. II Is 10 push things" The way TO make
war is TO fight the enemy, and to strike him ut
every possible point and as hard as you can.
The point at which the blow is now to be struck
is the one first aimed at. II was over Cuba
that we went TO war. II Is In Cuba that the
chief work Of the war is to be done. Now Is
the time to do II. We want no heltersketer
scramble unprepared into disaster. But there
should be no fear Of that Preparation has
been made. The campaign has been planned.
All things are ready. Spain herself supplying
the latest and one Of the most essential A few
days. more should see the stars and Stripes fy-
Inc over Cuba a. triumphantly % over the