The age-herald., 1898-06-08
NO TROOPS
 YET LANDED This is the View Taken byWash-
 ington Officials. THE SANTIAGO ENGAGEMENT At First DiSCredited, But Finally Believed
 By the Authorities. THE MARINES ALREADY ASHORE No Difficulty Will Be Found in the Debarkation of Troops.
No Difficulty Will Be Found in the
 Debarkation of Troops.
THE BUFFALO IN HAMPTON ROADS
Arrived Yesterday After Her Long Journey From Brazilian Waters The Vessel Is Not Yet in the Naval Lists
 Subject to Conditions.

Washington. June 7.-starting out with strong belief that there had been nothing in the nature of Q serious engagement be- tween Sampson's force and the Spanish de- lenses at Santiago the navy department officials, as the day wore on and the full and detailed rep5rts of the Associated Press from it's correspondents with the fleet began to flow in, were compelled to modify their view and when the day closed they were about ready to admit that, though without official information on the subject it was evident that Sampson had made strong attack upon the Span sh force.
 The one point upon which they maintaln- ed their confidence was that no troops had been landed. They were prepared to admit that Sampson might be clearing the way with his big guns for the landing or the troops or that possibly some marines had been landed temporarily, but that 1orcs had been put ashore they would not admlt' for the reason that no information had reached the war department of the actual departure of the soldiers from the south- ern ports for Cuba. It Is not denied, how- ever that every effort is being made 10 nut troops into Cuba at the earliest possl- ble moment and it is believed, although no official advices to that effect were at hand, that the troops have actually been embarking at Tampa today, and may get away tonight.
 Troors Under Orders
 The reason for this belief is found Tn the admission by the officials that the 'roops have been under orders to embark TOT soma time past The difficulty that pre- scented itself was the absence or apsoiuleiy necessary supplies, which ln most taee' were stored away in some or the lhou- sands of freight cars Whlch piooAeu s ,r,,a na The orders that went forward yesteI- dav were of a character to force speeoy breaking of the deadlock, and ii the troops now have their supplies, which IS oeheVeo to be the case, there is no reason why they sbo,ild not sail at once TOT Sahtiaso'
 pv tbe newspaper report of the breach sampson has made in the defenses, there is reason to believe that little difficuity Wiii he found in the actual debarkaton ol lle troops particularly, if marines are aireauy ashore to guard the landing. A susplcioh is entertained in some quarters that Samp- con was hastened in his movements at Santiago by the news of the intended de- narture of the troops from Tampa ana made this attack in order that the navy alone might have the honor or eHectng tne first occupation of Cuban soil. It IS hkeiy that the first troops of the regular army 10 take nm a position ashore will be the en- oineer battalion, although they are so pau- ly hampered by the heavy siege train they carrv that they must be delayed in mak- ng a landing. The guns, by the way nave given infinite trouble, for the transports that were hastily chartered were so hghtly constructed as to require a great deal ol strengthening before the great masses or steel could be safely placed in them
 Has Unlimited Authority
 The extent of Sampson's attack on the Santiago defenses has brought out one fact very clearly namely, that he has practical Iv unlimited power as to the time and char acter of an attack, and that he Is unham- pered by restrictions from Washington. The exact nature of his orders has never been made public, but naval official in nositlon to know what they say. say that Admiral Sampson had greater power con- ferred upon him than had been ever given to-any commander-in-chief. It was for him to decide on time for attack, and place and manner of its execution. He may at tack before the troops arrive or, In his dls- cretion, act without the cooperation or troops. Or if circums stances warrant he may refrain from any operations In short, if Is said that Admiral Sampson is com plete master of the tactical and strategic operations by the naval forces off Santiago. This is in line with the policy approved by the Highest naval authorities.
 The cruiser Buffalo, lately the Nlctheroy, of the Brazilian navy, arrived In Hamp- ion Roads today directly from Brazil. The vessel, 1t Is learned. is not yet actually on the naval lists. She has been acquired subject to certain conditions which will doubtless be fulfilled by the Brazilian gov
 GContinued on Second Pagel