The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1898-07-07

WASHINGTON, July s.-By compari-
son with what has gone before, to-day
was very quiet at the war and navy de-
partments. There were bulletins posted
in the former department. but were none
Of more recent date than yesterday, and
so far from indicating an impending
battle the general tendency Of these
bulletins was to show that no forward
movement is In absolute immediate con-
temptation. Deep concern is felt here
at the deprlvatlons and sufferings ofour
troops lying in trenches and In field hos
pltals surrounding Santiago and there is
everywhere a disposition to insist that
hereafter haste shall be made slowly
and that the equipment Of our soldiers,
their commissary and Quareermasters
supplies, their ammunition and their
hospital stores shall be complete in
every respect before they advance fur
ther, This is likely 10 be the rule even
at the expense OF time and in the face OF
the criticism Of an element that has
been vehemently Insisting upon rushing
the campaign without regard TO cost in
blood and money.
wiII be no Friction.
Confidence is felt that there vii be no
friction between the army and navy
commanders upon a Joint plan for the
prosecution OF the campaign. In the
event that this belief should be not well
founded, the President is prepared to
act himself by orders from first hand.
There is much Of force in the naval
argument, that IL Sampson Is obliged to
enter Santiago hGrbor before the forts
are captured he will jeopardlze the safe
ty Of the whole ironclad feet under his
command since by the sinking OF one OF
these ships In the narrow channel,
through a Spanish milne or shell, the
fleet would be left helpless and exposed
to destruction under the guns OF the
forts TO which they could make no reply
owing to the elevation OF the latter.
On the other hand, the army officers
seem to be justified In avoiding the tre-
mendous sacrifice of life that would be
involved in again throwing our soldiers
upon the Spanish defences until they
have been materially reinforced In NUM-
bers and strengthened by artillery.
---- .--- EEobson,a Exchange.
Sampson did not report to-day at the
navy department, but the war depart
ment sent over very agreeable mes
sage from shafter announcing the read
iness of the spanIards to exchange Hob
son and his men. It is believed that
this was accomplished some time during
the day, though notice Of It has nut
been received.
The fact that several OF the vessels
selected for Watson'S fleet were in the
thick of the engagement OF July Srd,
promises to delay the departure OF the
eastern squadron for the shores OF
Spain. The vessels have consumed a
good deal of coal and without doubt
have expended a large quantity OF their
highest grade Of ammunition in the furi-
Gus attack on the steel warships OF the
Spaniards. II will be necessary to re-
plenlsh these stores before the long Eu-
ropean voyage ls begun. However, Sec
retary Long has given rush orders for
the preparation Of this squadron, and II
certainly will be on In the course OF
few days.
CAmnrn'S PuzIlInE Movements.
The movements OF the Cadlz feet are
very puzzIlng to our experts here,
Weakened as 1t is by the sending of the
torpedo boat destroyers. the Spanish
squadron. bound for Philippines seems
TO go to as sure destruction as did Ger
vera's unluciy ships when they headed
westward from the Cape Verde Islands.
The Spaniards are without doubt fully
aware OF the lnferiority OF their feet
and why they persist In sending It to be
sunk in the Philippines Is q mystery.
The navy department was advised to-
day that the squadron was passing
through the Suez canal and as the Ves-
sells must have paid the heavy toll re.
uuired In advance, the Indications are
now regarded as conclusive that the
ships nre actually bound for the Phlllp-
pines This belief stimulates the pre-
paratlons here for Watson's sailing. He
will strike straight after Camara whn In
the end is doomed to be caught between
Watson and Dewey.
May Save some SpNmiSh Ships,
Secretary Long Is quite hopeful that
several of the Spanish ships of the Ger
vera squadron can be saved in part at
least and possibly as a whole. Assistant
Secretary Allen shares in this belief and
thinks that the Chrlstobal Colon can be
got or the rocks as an entirety, and that
the hull. upper works and guns can be
made available. She was the best ar
mored cruiser In the Spanish navy and II
she can be 1oated and repaired, will
make valuable acquisition to the
American navy.
Mr. Allen is hopeful also that tho Wig
caya and Oquendo can be saved In part.
Information has reached the department
that the hulls are not badly damaged.
The contract with the Merritt Wreckiug
Company is by the day and may be can
celled at any time n the government
finds the salvage Is not progressing sat-
isfactorily. Two large wrecldg vessels
left Norfolk to-day to begin work upon
the Colon, Vizcaga and oQuendo.
Ought 10 Bring Good Prices