The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-05-11

3 WASHINGTON, May lot IS hard to
(ell whether the naval officials were re-
lcved or disappointed by the news that
Game late this afternoon TO both the
naval and State Departments to the ei-
fcct that Spanish flying squadron had ar
.ivcd at Cadiz Spain. The safety Of the
Oregon from attack S. now completely
assured and the way is clear for milf
3ary operations in Cuba without running
she risk Of having the occuying army s.
Iuc Of communication cut Off. on the
other hand. it SIS believed that no en-
during peace can be secured until the
Sanlsh navy has been destroyed. and IL
now appears that 10 DO this our sailors
must make up their minds to go after the
Spaniards. a task very much more dlI-
gcult than that of meeting them near
our own shores.
MIGHT ATTACK DEWEY.
II was suggested by some Of the mem
hers OF the War Board that there was
lust a possibility that the Spanish squad
ron might make quick passage into the
Pacific through the Sucz canal and at
tack Dewey az Manila. II IS said that
contrary 90 the common understandings,
the Suez canal is open 20 the warships OF
belligerent powers. SO that III the spanish
choose 10 take this course they would
have Ions start OF any pursuing n'tt
from our side OK the Atlantic. 10 is
scarcely believed. however that the
Spanish are willing TO take the great
risk OF exposing 90 our attack their own
home ports by the withdrawal OF so con-
siderable q portion OF their naval strength
Es5 would bo required 20 oVerma'ch
Dewey.
Nothing was heard from Sampson to-
day. but there is a confident expectation
that interesting news VIII come irom I'IS
yguadrOn within the next tWeniy-iouf
hours. Whether this means an attack
rn Porto Rico or not cannot be learned.
MOVEMENT on CUBA.
One effect OF the retreat OF the spanish
Meet has been 20 hasten the preparations
already under fulI hcldway for the DIS
patching of military expeditions 10 Cubd.
it also has caused complete change 100
the concentration plans. Time Is now bee
Neved 10 be the great factor There Us no
longer opportunity 90 indulge i'm eXten-
sive drilling and practice maneuverins.
The regular army troops do not need
these and are 10 Doe thrown at once into
the frav Many or the regiments or the
National Guard. which are entering the
volunteer service are felt tO De sufnclehl-
iv trained from a military point or view
90 follow the regulars immediately ana
the Department indicated it's purpose to-
cav OF dispatchine these volunteer troops
directly 90 the Gulf coast for Shipment
instead OF sending them TO Chickamauga.
This disposition was shown oN inc
changes in the new orders issued 10 the
troops. although there may yet be "a re-
turn 10 the original programme OF con,
contratlOn 10 tho plans show signs or
weakness as they develop.
TRANSPORTS FOR 200oo
The Quartermaster General has already
soften under charter twenty-scven meT-
chant steamers Tor the transport of
froops. and roughly speaking. these
ehoul1 carry about CD O00 men. Others are
being procured as rapidly as possible
The plan OF the War Department IS to
have these vessels assemble al the dii-
ferent Gulf ports-Tampa. Mobile, New
orleans and Galyeston-to take on troops
which will be sent there. The Navy De
partment is expected TO furnish conveys
for these transports which would be alb
soiufciv HELPLESS against Spanish attack.
Al this point there are signs Of friction.
First. the transports will be obliged 10
await Admiral Simpsons return IA order
90 secure proper convoy. and, secondly.
she Navy objects very decidedly TO under
taking the task OF conveying a number
Of transports IL insists that 70 assure
the safety OF the convoy OF the troops all
- tbe troops should be gathered I'm one
aeef 10 start from Tampa and the Navy
a. likely TO prevail I'm this
Now that Major-General seweu has
beor assigned 10 command the cOncentra-
zion camp az Falls Church, preparations
are being rushed TO put the grounds there
into shape for the reception OF the volun-
fcers.