The herald., 1898-06-01
THREE DAYS MORE
10 WAIT FOR NEWS TO COME
FROM SCHLEY
A SOR1IE BY CfRvtRA
MIGHT TEND TO LESSEN THE
TIME
POLICY Of THE PRESIDENT
Aims to Capture Santiago and Feed the
Starving Cubans in the
Vicinity
Associated Press Special Wire

Associated Press Special Wire
WASHINGTON, May S1.-The significant
statement was made by cabinet officer
after the regular Tuesday meeting of the
cabinet that no news had been received
since Monday from Commodore Schley di-
rect, and now 1t was believed that nothing
would be heard for two or three days at
least. This is taken to mean. that Schley
probably will await the arrival of troops
before undertaking any active move on
Santiago.
1t was plainly anticipated in some quar-
tors that he might, through the possession
of some information that would tend to
neutralize the strength of the enemy's po-
sition, make a bold attempt to enter the
harbor of San Diego and destroy or cap
ture the Spanish squadron. With the as
sistance of a single regiment of United
States regular troops, which could be even
now on their way to his support, the off,
Gals are confident that the fleet can re-
duce the forts at the entrance to Santiago
harbor and make untenable the position of
the Spanish squadron within. OF course
this plan is based upon the theory that
Cervera will not attempt to make his es-
cape by desperate sortie at night.
The Presidents Policy
This movement of Schley's is unques-
tionably in pursuance of the presidents
policy to lend helping hand to the starv-
ing reconcentrados. The Spanish squadron
might be kept within Santiago harbor I'M
til the end of the war without sensbly en-
dangering any American life. and because
of it's distance and isolation from Havana,
Santiago city has little to attract q mill
tary attack. But lying in the very midst
of the insurgent section of the island, the
town would afford splendid base for the
distribution of supplies to the families of
the insurgents and to the reconcentrados,
who still drag out miserable existence in
the interior Already the president has be-
gun to prepare to help these people, and the
commissary general of the army has pre-
pared an estimate of 100000 for the pur-
chase of sufficient supplies to feed 100000
reconcentrados for three months.
The Field of Action
For the time being 1t is felt that the real
6eld of action is removed from Washing
ron and is centered with the troops now
advancing under orders from here, and
with our ships.
The time of preparation has gone by and
1t remains only for preparations to be car
ried into actual effect. A leading naval Of
ficial pointed to his desk. which was clear
Of papers and documents, and remarked
that all the preparatory details were now
well along and that so far as the authori-
. ties here were concerned they had only to
wait for the execution of the preparations
heretofore 'matured. There will continue
to be much routine detail in the mainte-
nance of the large military and naval force.
but this is now in well established chan
nels. The more vital features of the cam
paign itself have been fully matured. To
certain extent the military and naval OPP
erations will be directed from Washington.
and yet, with General Miles in the south
and Admiral Sampson and Comomdore
Echley in Cuban waters, they will have
most to do with the time and circumstances
Of attack.
No More Paper Fighting
The commanders, military and naval,
have been given wide latitude, as the au
thorities here fully appreciate that battles
cannot be fought in advance on paper. All
that has been attempted is to outline
campaign and make the fullest provision
for adequate forces, ample supplies and
the fullest cooperation between the navy
and army in the successful execution of
the plans. The real blows are for the COM
manders to strike, and in the execution of
this part of the program the authorities
here can take little part 1t is for this rea-
son that they regard themselves now
rather as spectators of what is about to
occur.