Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-05-18
Pressure Being Brought to Bear 10
Hasten Invasion Of Cuba.
DEWEY NOT IN DANGER.
Merritt Denies That He Has Refused
10 obey Orders With Respect to
ThiIlppine ENpeditiOn-.Tbe Wins
low nadIy Hurt.


und there is reason 10 believe that the
department itself has received no infor-
nation on that point. The department
officials are beginning to show little
s-asItl,eness to criticism in the matter
cf delay in bringing the Spanish fleet into
action conscious as they are that they
have made an dispatch, compatible with
cue regard for the safety of our own
porte as well as of-the lives Of the crews
Of our Warships. Every day there is talk
a. change i'm the naval plans, brought
.aout by some movement of the Spanish
squadron. but what the latter phase OF
Tie campaign IS nobody outside of the
members OF the War Board is competent
90 say.
The general impression to-day is that
go particular effort is TO be made just
SOW 20 pursue the Spaniards, so long as
they keep within the confines of the Gulf
of Mexico and the Caribbean sea, but that
5 mps0n and Schley. in combination, will
,ncircle the island Of Cuba, maintain the
blockade. and convoy troops across the
FLORIDA straits, If necessary, meanwhile
simply keeping a watch on the Spanish
FIXING squadron, to see that il does not DO
mischief, either 20 the American fleet, or
ty escaping TO the seaboard cities.
INIPATIENCE AT DELAY.
By this plan the military and naval Off
cals might hope TO silence the rather Sc
we're criticisms that are being expressed
because Of the delay in opening the mill
try campaign I'm Cuba itself. Considera-
Die pressure has come upon the admins
tration from congressional quarters TO
have the campaign fastened and there
are thought 10 be signs of resumption
Of the plans Of the military leaders for
the invasion of Cuba at an early date.
one sign of this was the inclusion in
the regular army orders to-day of a direc-
ton to Captain Alger to so TO Tampa TO
i1sn General Miles.
st army headquarters there was no sign
OF immediate departure, but after all IN
view OF the fact that three times al least
everything has been prepared for a move
inent to Tampa, it may be presumed that
everything is ready for departure at short
notice. without open manifestation Of pre-
parauons.
THE DEWEY EXPEDITION.
The department processes to feel no
,uprebensiop that Admiral Dewey or his
men are in anywise endangered by their
occupation Of Manila harbor, but this
cannot be said Of the unfortunate inhaoi-
tants Of Manila, II the present situation
81. urotracted unduly. 1t is no small mat
tsr 10 organize and transport an expedi-
ton Of u coo or 1900 soldiers 5000 miles
across the sea at short notice. The indi-
cations are that within a week some OF
the soldiers at least will be on their way
from San Francisco, following the Char-
lesion. which is expected TO leave at any
moment. with a full supply Of the art-
c,ls most urgently needed by the Admi-
raL
There are indications that the War De-
u.rtment has been brought to see the
wisdom and fairness Of the suggestion
thrown out by Major-General MerlltV
that his expedition shOuiu consist Oh not
less than Is 900 men, and that at least a
third Of them should be seasoned troops
from the regular army, capable OF meet
fill. ON even terms the veteran Spanish
soldiers who garrison Manila. To en-
l.avor 20 overcome the Spanish forces
with less than half their number oil
tro1ps would seem TO be senseless pro-
ce.ding. i'm view of the fact that there
f. mo- necessity for such a course. Gene
rsI Merritt took occasion TO deny very |
emphsticauy the accuracy ot certain
newspaper interviews, published TINS
morning which placed him in the POSI-
non OF refusing to obey an order TO pro-
ceed 10 the Philippines because his force |
was insufficient. The officials at the de-
partnent. upon seeing these publications
did not hesitate 10 express at once their
belief that General Merritt was too good
n soldier 10 refuse TO obey lawful or
der. although they admitted that he
m.sht have. as he did to-day, through
Hughes. member OF
bis stan suggest the propriety OF an IN
crease In the number and a bettermeh'
in The quality Of the soldiers to be as
Signed to his command.
DAMAGE TO THE WINsLOW.
REPORTS received here from Key West
show that the condition Of the little tor
yedo-Doat Winslow is much worse than
vss supposed. and that II viii be neces-
cary. In all probability to have her come
10 Norfolk for repairs. One shot smash
Cd her low-pressure starboard cyih-
DER. and another traversed one OF her
boilers. II would be possible to get
along under one boiler. and reduce the
s,arDoard engine from quadruple TO
i.p.e expansion one, but the efficiency
Of the boat would be very much lowered
thereby. Following few days late upon
Ihe news OF the terrific assault on the
Ninslow and her disablement. came
through the mails an official report from
Commander McCalla Of an engagement
the little boat was in day or two be-
Tore she came 10 grief. II reflects great
credit upon the officers and men OF the
craft and was promptly made public
By the Navy Department. II reads as
follows:
EXPLOIT OF THE WINSLOW.
May l7.-United states Steamship
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