The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1898-05-11

WASHINGTON, D. c., May 1o.-Iti Is
hard to tell whether the naval officials
were relieved or disappointed by the
news that came late this afternoon TO
both the navy and state departments to
the effect that the Spanish flying squad
ron had arrived at Cadiz, Spain.
The safety of the Oregon from attack
IS now completely assured, and the way
Is clear for military operations in Cuba
without running the risk Of having the
occupying armv'a line OF communlca-
tIon cut of. +
ON THE OTHER HAND IT IS BE-
L1EvED THAT NO ENDURING
PEACE CAN BE SECURED UNTIL
THE SPANISH NAVY HAS BEEN
DESTROYED. AND IT NOW AP-
PEARS THAT TO DO THIS OUR
SAILORS MUST MAKE UP THEIR
MINDS TO GO AFTER THE SPAN
1ARDs, A TASK VERY MUCH MORE
DIFFICULT THAN THAT OF MEET
ING THEM NEAR OUR OWN
SHORES.
Might Attack Dewey.
It was suggested by some OF the
members OF the war board that there
was Just possibility that the Spanish
squadron might make quick passage
into the Pacific through the Suez Canal
nj TO 10 Il 10
said, contrary to the common under
standing. the Suez canal Is open to the
warships of belligerent powers. so that
|, the Spanish choose to take this course
they would have long start OF any
pursuing fleet from our side OF the AZ
lantic. It is scarcely believed. however,
that the Spanish are willing to take the
great risk of exposing our attack OF
their own ports by the withdrawal OF
SO considerable q proportion OF. their
naval strength as would be required to
oyer-match Dewey.
NOTHING WAS HEARD FROM
SAMPSON TO-DAY, BUT THERE IS
A CONFIDENT EXPECTATION
THAT INTERESTING NEWS WILL
BE COMING FROM HIS SQUADRON
WITHIN THE NEXT TWENTY
FOUR HOURS. WHETHER THIS
MEANS AN ATTACK ON PORTO
RICO OR NOT CANNOT BE LEARN
ED.
Military Preparations Hastened.
One effect OF the retreat Of the Span
!sh feet has been to hasten even more
the preparations already under full
headway for the dispatching of.military
expeditions to Cuba. It also has caus-
ed complete change in the concentra-
ton plans. Time Is now believed to be
the great factor. There Is no longer
opportunity TO Indulge In extensive
dFll!ng and practice manoeuvreing.
The regular army troops do not need
these, and are to be thrown Mt once In
10 the fray. Many OF the regiments OF
the national guard which are entering
the volunteer service are felt to be suf-
aciently trained from military point
OF view to follow the regulars immedI-
ately. and the department indicated Its
purpose to-day OF dispatching these
troops directly to the gulf coast for
ehipment, instead OF sending them to
Chckamauga. This disposition was
shown BY the changes In the new or
GERS Issued 10 the troops, although there
yet may be return to the original pro-
eramme OF concentration II the plans
snow signs OF weakness as they devel-
op.
The quarte-naster general has al
ready gotten under charter twenty
seven merchant steamers for the trans
po?tation OF troops and. roughly speak,
iaG, these should carry about 10000
men. Others are being procured as rap
!e!f as possible. \
Elan OF War Department..
The plan OF the war department Is TO
nave these vessels assemble at the dif-
ierent gulf ports. Tampa, Mobile, New
orleans md Galveston, TO take on troops
Mhich VIII be sent there. The navy
department Is expected to furnish con-
,soys Tor these transports, which would
attack. ! iS-Ir 20 - :. 1,''S'' -
al al THIS point there are signs Of frlc-
u9A First the transports Will be oblig-
W 70 walt Admiral Sampson's return In
o.GT' 70 secure proper convoy, and Sec
onuIS' the navy objects very decidedly
Undertaking the, task OF conveying
"umner or transports. 1t insists that
~ ~ assure the safety OF the convoy OF
r.. i4e troops, all OF the transports should
y, r. Hathcred In one feet to start from
va" S,'pa, and the navy Is likely TO pre-
bos NO" That Major General sewell has
.sSi' assigned to command the conccn-
.Ia uSsion camp at Falls Church, prepara-
ranS are being rushed to put the
s'ouhd there into shape for the recep-