Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1898-05-05
THE War SITUATION
No Word Yet Received from til.
American Fleet in Philippines.
SAMPSON STILL BLOCElDISG CUBA.
Coafsrsnes Between the President and
Adjt Gen. Corbin Concerning the New
Major and BriEsdirr Gsnsrals-Nsws
Expected from the Insurgsnta

4 -
Expected from the fnsurgenta
WASHINGTON, May I. The day passed
without single word from the Amer.
lean feet In the Philippines, and In
view Of the long continued Interrupt
ton In cable communication the OH,
cials are beginning TO resign them.
selves to the belief that they must
await further official news until .
boat arrives at Hong Kong. This will
not necessarily be . naval vessel, for
1t is not believed that Commodore
Dewey, who will be admiral Is soon
as he can be reached BY cable, could
have spared any OF his ships,
even the McCulloch. to carry dis
patches before the bonbsrdment In
ordinary times, there is plenty Of com.
municstion BY steamers as we'll o. by
native vessels between the Philippines
and the MAINLAND, and the officials
will be rather surprised II some news
is not forthcoming to-day. II Adm.
Dewey wants troops TO hold what he
may gain in the Philippines, as many
as he needs will be sent directly from
San Francisco, and 1t Is very likely
that state volunteers will make up the
quota The cabinet talked about this
yesterday, and is only waiting TO hear
what Commodore Dewey wants.
Meanwhile. the plans Of the Cuban
campaign are being steadily developed
and there Is no indication Of change
Of purpose on The part Of THE military
authorities, who are expected To land
an expeditionary force In Cuba In q
very short time. Adm. Sampson, so
far as the navy department knows, Is
steadily maintaining the blockade Of
the Cuban coast and this Is not likely
TO be abandoned for the present,
though two or three Of his ships may
be sent away temporarily TO meet the
Oregon on her way TO Cuba from Rio
Janeiro. While the officials Of the
navy department naturally feel
warm interest In the race Of
the magnificent battleship around
the continent they profess to feel
little anxiety as to the outcome, not
withstanding the current talk Of an
effort on the part Of the Spanish fly
ing squadron TO cut of the Oregon.
The vessel sailed from Rio on course
known only to the captain, and the
chances Of being overtaken on the
high seas are very small. Even should
the Spanish vessels fall in with her, II
Is by no means certain, notwithstand.
ing their numbera that she would be
defeated by the combined Spanish
force, as her magnificent armor and
ordnance are superior in every respect,
size and quality, to those Of the Span
ish ships.
The proclamation directed against
the Spanish residents Of the United
States by the state department has not
yet been issued, nor Is It certain that
1t will be; probably depending upon
the course pursued by the Spanish
government In their treatment of
American citizens In Spain.
Adjt. Gen. Corbin had conference
with the president yesterday after
noon, concerning the nominations Of
major generals and brigadier generals,
which, according TO present inten.
tions, will be sent to the senate to-
day. Gen. Corbin took with him to
the white house full list Of these
nominations, which had been agreed
upon BY the war department off.
Gals After a Commute conference
with the president Gen. Corbin
returned 10 the department to
attend to some alterations In
the list suggested by the president 1t
is understood to have been decided to
name Gen. Shafter, who has been des-
ignated to lead the army Of invasion
into Cuba, Gen. Fitzhugh Lee, and
Gen. Joe Wheeler, OF confederate cav
airy fame, as three Of the major gen.
erals 1t is reported as probable that
the president may also nominate Gen.
Woodford, former minister to Spain,
to be major general. Concerning the
appointments Of brigadier generals, 1t
Is said to be the purpose Of the presi.
dent, so far as possible, to take the
candidates from the ranks Of colonies
in the regular army. This will disap-
point some Of the candidates for the
important commands. The exceptions,
II any are made, will be In favor OF
those states which furnish one or more
brigades Of troops. In such cases, 1t Is
believed the president will appoint as
brigadier generals officers recommend.
ed to him by the governors Of the
states from which the troops come.
The Cuban authorities here expect
to receive early information direct
from the camp Of Gen. Gomez. brought
by Brig. Gen. Nunez, who left here
about ten days ago and succeeded in
landing Q party and making his way
to Gomez's camp The party was Q
small one, and took along some sup.
plies, but Its main purpose was tc
open communication with Gomez and
bring word as to his resources and
readiness for an aggressive movement.