Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1898-05-19

Washington, May IA. - The setback
received by the American blockading
squadron in the engagement in Car
denas harbor yesterday and the loss
of five lives on board the torpedo
boat Winslow had SOLDERING effect on
the element in the navy which is cry
ing out for rapid action and efforts at
destroying batteries with unarmored
ships. There will probably be some
sor, Of inquiry instituted to ascertain
the responsibility for sending such un-
protected shells as the Winslow
against fortified ports. 1t is miracu-
lous. in the opinion Of the older officers
at the department, that the damage
and loss Of life were confined to the
Winslow. for the other boats with her
were very little better off in the mat
ter Of protection. and scarcely any OF
them could resist the fire Of small
rife. 1t is likely that if such work as
was attempted at Cardenas is to be
done hereafter the task will be as
signed to more formidable craft. Not
withstanding the multitude of rumors
that came from all parts Of the West
Indies as to the bombardment of San
Juan de Puerto Rico and other san
culinary engagements between
sampson's ButtIeshipn
and the Spanish forces the navy de-
partment was in official ignorance OF
any such event. AT the close of office
hours it was said that nothing had
been heard from Admiral Sampson.
1t is believed that there will be diff
Guilty in Admiral Sampson commune
eating with the department by cable
from st. Thomas, and there are also
patch boats accompanying SIMPSONS
feet will be deprived Of the use of the
cable also on the preteXt that neutrall-
ty is thereby violated and st. Thomas
made a base Of operations. In this
case it would be necessary for both
the admiral and the newspaper men
to have recourse to the direct cable at
Haiti, about $50 or 800 miles distant
from San Juan. involving Il delay of Il
day and half or two days in com
municating information to the United
States.
just where the Spanish flying squad
ron it still remains in doubt and no
word Of official confirmation has come
to the navy department Of the Cadiz
report Of day before yesterday that
the squadron is there. Still there are
enough American scouting vessels
Covering the Approaches
to the West India channel to spot any
approaching Spanish ship in short or
der. The people on the New England
coast have had their apprehcnsions
aroused again lest the Spanish appear
in force off their coast and proceed to
destroy the summer resorts and small
craft there. The department has
done what it regards as necessary in
assigning the monitors and some YES
sells Of the mosquito feet to the pa
troll Of this coast and in holding Com
nlodore Schley's magnificent squadron
at Hampton Roads ready to fly at
twenty knots speed to any point Oh the
coast that may be threatened. \ dis
patch came to the navy department
from Admiral Dewey at Manila. 1t
was dated Hongkong, and was evil
IDENTIFY a few days old, and does not
show that Dewey has possessed him
self of Manila. Probably he regards
his original orders as not broad enough
to justify further action without fur
ther instructions, and as his dispatch
was sent last Monday he could not
have received the last orders Of the
department.