The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-07-07
ENGLISH CRITICISM.
skaters Advance on Santiago Is Consid-
cred fmprudent.

cred fmprudent.
New York, July "a dispatch to the
Tribune from London says: Military
and naval experts are enabled to ex-
press their opinions respecting the SAN
tiago operations with clear knowledge
of the facts. They are critical, but this
does not imply u~nfriendliness to Amer
lea, but merely an intense interest in
the war. One of the British military
authorities considers Skaters advance
on Santiago was imprudent, when his
force was numerically inferior to the
defenders of the town. He believes
Shafter was in a critical position after
Fridays battle and was only relieved
by Cervera's pushing out of the harbor
and allowing Sampson to win a victory
on the easiest terms.
This high official considers that the
American campaign was not well
planned and hat the serious loss of life
was unnecessary. Other officers, while
crediting the American army with
splendid dash and valor. are disposed
to criticise what they consider grave
indiscretion in the war department at
Washington in publishing Skaters ur-
gent call for reinforcements and in pro-
nouncing a conflict in which the Ameri-
can troops gained and held advan-
tageous positions a drawn battle
Naval experts have nothing to say
in criticism of SIMPSONS fleet n
marvel at the facility with which Ger
vera's powerful vessels were driven
ashore and destroyed. The opinion ex-
pressed by journals that Sampson could
have entered Santiago harbor several
weeks ago., and that there has been a
lack of corporation between the naval
and military authorities, is not shared
by any expert who Is familiar with the
approaches TO the inner bay. The
hanlIin1 Of the Anaarioan aaat &c ann-
sidered by skilled officers of the British
nav as beyond the range of criticism.
They do not admit that the battle has
much practical utility in its bearing
upon naval warfare. Fol example,
there is much establishment that he
torpedo boat destroyers should have
proved ineffective, even against a steam
pleasure yacht. but the deduction is
made that this proves nothing, Eince
the Spaniards displayed M skill in
using their vessels.
Members OF parliament interested in
naval matters assert that the compafa-
tive value of armored cruisers and bat
tleships is as much of a mystery as
ever, since Cervera's fleet, with Eng
lish crews on board. might have sunk
some of the most formidable Of their
opponents.
civilian Allen, one of the most prac-
tical naval experts in parliament, says
he does not believe that Camara's fleet.
entering the SueZ canal to-day, will
ever reach the Philippines. and hopes
that Sampson will promptly enter san
tiago harbor. In diplomatic circles
there is a general feeling that
the Madrid government will not make
peace so long as there is ground for
hoping that Germany will interfere in
the Philippines in some way. The
presence of a German fleet at Manila
out of all proportion to any require
ments of the safety of commercial in
terests is considered b. some of the best
informed men here as a convenient pre-
text for the continuance of the war by
the Madrid government. In the desper-
ate hope that some complication may
arise.
"One of the most mysterious factors
in the situation is Aguinaldo, whose
intrigues against his leading asso-
ciates are reported i'm press dispatches.
He is regarded as a Spanish insurgent
of considerable capacity n courage.
but devoid of principle. He is described
as an insurgent who was bought mp
not long ago by the Spanish govern
ment, but who was hastily induced to
act in conjunction with Dewey in the
expectation of receiving a handsome
reward. He is regarded as an untrust-
worthy and uncertain leader. unfit To
be placed in control of the islands, and
as one who would readily make a
coalition with Germany for embar-
RAISING the American forces in the
island"