The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-06-03
More Transports Chartered for the
Conveyance of Troops to Cuba and
the Island OF Porto Rico.
VIEWS OF HENRY NORMAN
HE THINKS SPAIN HAS REACHED
THE END OF HER STRING,
And Is Surprised She Does Not Sue for
Peace-GeneraI Miles Busy Di-
recting Operations.
Special to the indianapolis Journal.


WASHINGTON, June 2.-The war situa-
ton has developed no new features to-day.
The first important news is expected to
come from Santiago and nothing of a de-
cisive sort is looked for in that quarter be-
fore Sunday, perhaps Monday next. The
Navy Department officials discredit sensa-
tional reports of Commodore Schley's fe-
rocious bombardment of the Notifications
at the entrance to the channel leading into
the inner harbor at Santiago They admit
that there was a demonstration. but inti-
mate that 1t was designed merely to enable
the American commodore to locate the en-
strength. This object they are satisfied was
attained, and, the job finished our vessels
withdrew to avoid unnecessary exposure.
Admiral Sampson is supposed to be in the
vicinity Of Santiago, f4ct which has given
rise to reports that he is to supersede Com
modore schley and assume the active direc-
ton of operations there. This report is not
confirmed at the Navy Department. and it
is not believed that schley will be deprived
of any of the honor which would attach
to the command of the attacking party
when the assault upon Santiago is made.
Daily Chronicle to-day cabled his paper. as
follows: 1.-THE Navy Department is still
without news of the alleged fight at SAINT
iago, although the papers continue to sup
ply fresh details. The probability is that
Commodore Schley took active measures
either to stop the Spaniards erecting earth
works. or because Spanish ship showed
herself, but that the affair has been grossly
exaggerated. Whether the troops have
sailed from Tampa is equally uncertain, it
being asserted and denied here with equal
confidence. All these details, however are
in reality unimportant. The main outlines
of the situation are perfectly clear and are
not likely to change. When Admiral Ger
vera's whereabouts was definitely settled
few days ago a forward movement was
ordered instantly and General Miles left for
the front the same night. If the transports
not be delayed much longer. Admiral
Sampson, with two squadrons under him,
has an overwhelming force off Santiago.
Through the indiscretion of q member of the
House of Representatives the whole world
now knows that fifteen to twenty thousand
men are the force to be Immediately dis
patched. Porto Rico will be occupied, while
a combined land and sea attack will reduce
Santiago. Admiral Cervera's fate is sealed
with absolute certainty. Marshal Blanco
win be left for another two months to stew
in his own juice. The first transports are
due at Honolulu to-day. The capture of
Manila Is a mere matter of time.
Under these circumstances it is incom-
prehensible that Spain does not make peace
overtures. BY no conceivable chance, short
of a cyclone sending the whole American
navy to the bottom of the sea, can her
chances be improved, while every day big
ger bill is piling up against her. She must
lose Cuba and Porto Rico, but it is within
the bounds of possibility that she might ul-
timately regain the Philippines by prompt
capitulation. 1 fancy that nobody is more
surprised at her inability or refusal to rec
ognize the inevitable than President Nc
Kinley himself. If she procrastinates much
longer, she may bid farewell to the Philip
pines also, but this is the only respect in
which an immediate cessation of hostilities
or the indefinite proiongation of the war
will make any difference.
1.-The above is not a personal opinion, it is
a serious fact, well known to every informed
person here. 1t is not only the truth, but
the whole truth, and nothing will occur to
alter It,"