Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-05-05
SIMPSONS MISSIONS
Three Tasks Said to Have Been
Given Him.
DISCRETION As TO ACCOMPLISHMENT
Gossip About Matters in Congress
sionaI Circles.
THE M'CULLOCH'S CONDITION

sicn has been reached in congressional cir
cles that there will be some time vet to
wait before word is received from Commo-
dore Dewey. Yesterdays dispatch from
Hong Kong announcing the arrival of the
McCulloch is now utterly discredited, and
1T is calculated that it was not possible for
the cutter to have got there from Manila,
and the theory is advanced as very prob
able that the McCulloch was not in a con-
dition at the end Of the naval battle to pu,
to sea with dispatches.
She is too light craft to have ESCAPED
INJURY, If in the engagement, and 1t is hard
ly probable that she was held in reserve by
Commodore Dewey, since she had been
equipped with a heavy armament for her
size and was capable of doing good service.
May Rc Some Time Yet.
The chances are that she was in the thick
of the fight and did not escape injury. Upon
this theory it is calculated that there
should be no surprise if a communica ton
from Commodore Dewey is delayed until
either the cable is repaired or communica-
ton may pe had through some foreign ves-
sci from the Philippines TO Hong Kong.
Many reports are in circulation about the
report having been received and withheld
flom the public. or to the effect that un-
official Information has come by means OF
hamp steamers TO Hong Kong. In con-
tradiction to these rumors there are not
Only the apparently frank statements of
the highest officials, including Secretary
Long, made in response to newspaper in
ouiries, but also the assurances given
members of the foreign relations, the naval
and the appropriations committees of both
houses of Congress, and to other senators
and representatiIe who have made in
qurfries of the President ana members of
the cabinet.
The universal response up to this hour
has been that not word has been receiv-
ed. After not hearing anything last night,
hope of getting any word within the next
twenty-four hours practically aban-
doned.a
Admiral Samps0n's Fleet.
There is wide divergence in the inforrna-
ton available as to the movements of Ad-
miral SamDscn's fleet. Most of the hints
let drop in oAcial cilcles this morning
were calculated to give the impression that
the feet had gone directly against Porto
Rico and would capture that port whether
the Spanish fleet was met or not.
The best congressional authorities who
visited the White House and the depart
me nts this morning say, however, that the
attack upon Porto Rico will not occur un-
Ii! the Spanish ioct has been met, or, in
case it is learned that that fleet has turn
ed back to Cadiz, Until provisions have
been made to land about 10000 troops to
held the island after it has been captured.
Not Anxious About the Oregon.
Apparently the Navy Department is not
as anxious about the Oregon as current
gossip would indicate. 1t is reasoned that
for Spain to send four cruisers to capture
or destroy the Oregon would be a very
foolish move-too foolish even for Spanish
conception. If the move We're successful
the destruction of one of our fine ships
would be all accomplished, and that could
not hope to be accomplished without serious
loss on the Spanish side.
Naval experts say that in a battle with
the four Spanish cruisers the Oregon would
probably destroy two and infiict serious
damage upon the others before she was
destroyed herself. In its bearings upon fu-
ture operations the result of such n battle
would more seriously injure the Spanish
navy than it would us. At the same time
steps have been taken to protect the Ore
gon.
SnmpsOn's Three Missions.
Out of the conflicting opinions and state
ments one thing that appears clear is that
Admiral Sampson has been given wider dis
cretion than he has heretofore been ;iven
in his operations.
He has been given three missions. One
is to take Porto Rico. One is to meet the
Spanish fleet If it can be located on this
side of the Atlantic. The other is to pro-
= t,a nrnp Az 70 fha
cedure he is given discretion, HIS course to
be determined by developments as he pro-
ceeds.
1t is understood to be the expectation of
the President that Porto Rico will be taken
at once. A study of the map will show
how these three missions may be fitted into
one, if the Spanish fleet is bound either for
Porto Rico, Havana or to intercept the
Oregon. For Information as to the ap-
Pre- ach of the Spanish fleet Admiral Samp-
son will, II is said, rely upon the fast scout
vessels which have been put on the look
out
These vessels will sail in elliptical courses
dipping far southwark, SO as to come
near the path OF the Spanish fleet and to
report their approach as soon as discover
ed. The course and the rate of speed of
Sampson's fleet will be known to these
scout vessels, SC that they will know about
where TO intercept him at any time II
the Spanish fleet has not come across with
IN a certain time after Sampson's feet has
arrived in the vicinity of Porto Rico, the
attack on that place will probably be made
as the first move and the port be held to
deprive the Spanish of a base of supplies
III, however ii is discovered that the
Spanish fleet has sailed further south and
is aiming to intercept the Oregon, Admiral
SIMPSONS feet will put out after the Span
iards at once. with almost certainty of
running up with them by the time they
have come up with the Oregon. 1t is said
that the Oregon will so time her course as
not to arrive at the point where she would
be intercepted by the Spanish, II at all, as
to give sampson's fleet opportunity to reach
the scene of action.
To Occury n Cnbaa Port.
The occupancy of a port of Cuba, in ar-
cordance with the plans already fuliy out
lined in The Star, is to be undertaken st
once. There Is the highest authority for
the statement that this expedition will be-
put In motion as speedily as possible. and