Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1898-05-25
Washington Letter.
! From our Regular Correspondent

| From our Regular Correspondent
WASHINGTON, May 20, 1898.-The
| landing of an army in Cuba, which
would have been an accomplished fact
before now had not the movement
been held up with the expectation
| that the Spanish fleet, now somewhere
in West Indian waters, had crossed
the Atlantic with the intention of
seeking a fight with our warships, is
| to 90 ahead regardless of the move
ments Of the Spanish fleet, it having
become apparent that the latter
IS seeking to avoid rather than to
fight our ships. Owing to the de-
sire OF President Mckinley to keep
the news of the movements of our
army and navy from reaching the
Spanlards, as it has heretofore
done, more specific statement can
not be made in advance. But it can
be stated without violating any con
hdence, and without giving the
enemy any pointers, that the fastest
ships In both Admiral SIMPSONS
and Commodore Schley's fleets are
going to chase that Spanish fleet
around until it is found and de-
stroyed and that theinvasion of Cuba
is going to be pushed without wait
ing for the Spanish fleet to be
whipped.
Our naval strength in Cuban
waters has been increased by the safe
arrival OF the battleship Oregon, the
Marietta, and the dynamite cruiser
Buffalo, which the Spaniards had
been trying to intercept In their long
voyage.
Up to this time General Blanco
has had free cable communication
with Madrid, as well as with the ad-
mlral OF the Spanish fleet, but he
will not have it much longer In
fact, it is doubtful whether he has at
this time. There are five cable lines
from Cuba, two to the United States,
two to Jamaica, and one to Hayri.
Orders have been given to cur h
last three named. That will break
Blanco's communication, as he can
not send messages over the two
cables to this country, both being
now under government supervision.
General Greeley, chief United States
signal officer, has advocated cutting
these cables from the first as a war
measure.
It'll the desire of President Mckinley
and Secretary Long that the medals
voted to the officers and men of Ad-
miral Dewey's squadron by congress,
IN commemoration Of the great vic
tory won by them in Manila harbor,
shall be of the very best design
that can be obtained from the best
American artists. Assistant Secre-
tary Allen, of the navy department,
has been chosen to be chairman of
the commission charged with the
honor Of selecting the design for the
medal. 1t Is likely that all American
artists will be invited to submit de-
signs.
While there is a a disposition on
the part of some senators and rep
resentatlves to think chat the open
speech by Honorable Joseph Cham.
berlaln, a member of the British
government, in favor of an alliance
between Great Britain and the United
States, was made to serve England's
purpose in Europe, they all agree in
regarding it an almighty good thing
for this country. Such an alliance
would be the last thing that the
governments Of continental Europe
would care to see, and so long as
they think 1T would be likely to be
FASTENED by their attempting to help
Spain they are not likely to make
that attempt. Consequently, what
ever may have been the reason for
the making of that speech, it has
acted and will continue to act in our
favor.
Admiral Dewey's brave men are to
receive a financial reward for their
good work in Manila harbor, In ad-
dition to the thanks Of the president,
the congress, and the people. 1t was
this week discovered that there is a
law authorizing the payment Of
500 for each man on an enemy's
ship Of war that was DESTROYED in
action. AS the entire eleven ships Of
the Spanish feet were destroyed and
they are known to have been heavily
manned In the expectation of having
to furnish prize crews for Dewey
squadron, which they thought they
would capture, it is estimated that
about 100000 will be divided
among Dewey's men.