Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1898-05-30

war, bought two coal-laden steamers,
and thus made more assured the tri-
umph which he later obtained.
Senior Polo Bernabe left Montreal on
Saturday. Conclusive proof is said to
have been obtained that he has been
receiving reports from spies Of the
military and naval operations Of the
United States and that he has COM
municated them to Madrid. Secret
Service agents have followed his
operations and those of his suite.
The London Speaker says the ulti-
mate result of the war cannot be
doubtful, that intervention by the
powers would only strengthen our
determination to win and that il
complications bring on a European
war every great power in Europe ex-
cept England and Germany will find
what Italy and Spain have found al
ready-that it's government is sitting
on a volcano.
On the suggestion of Attorney-Gen
eral Griggs several members Of the
cabinet united in a request to the
president that he withhold the de-
tails of all war plans from all the
members of the cabinet save the Sec
retaries of war and the navy. The
president consented, and at cabinet
meetings only general plans are out
lined and discussed, Gen. Alger and
Mr.. Long remaining to- confer on de-
tails.
The Washington authorities hay
no official information of the presence
of the Spanish fleet at Santiago de
Cuba, but the news is not discredited.
Senior Quesada says Admiral Cervera
cannot send any supplies from San
tiago to Blanco at Havana because
there is no railroad communication,
and an overland journey would re-
quire six weeks or two months time,
ard would be subject to almost in
cessant attacks at the hands of the
Cubans.
It begins to look now as though the
past delay in sending an army to
Cuba to drive the Spaniards out OF
the island, as authorized by the res
olution of congress, may necessltate
postponement until next fall. The
rainv season is due to set in about
the list of June, and within ten days
thereafter, according to competent
authority, Cuban roads will be I'M
passable for artillary and cavalry
Gen. Fitzhugh Lee favors an lmmedl-
ate occupation of the island.
A detailed report of the lombard
ment of San Juan shows that the
forts suffered heavily from the lire OF
the American fleet. Admiral Samp-
son expected to find the Spanish war;
ships in port, and the orders OF battle
indicated instructions for engaging
the enemy's fleet. The plans OF the
Notifications furnished to the fleet
were very misleading. The Spanish
governor general reports that eight
men were killed and thirty-four
wounded by the bombardment.
The fleets under command OF Adj
miral Sampson and Commodore Schley
have united and are between Key
West and Havana. It is the plan OF
the navy department now to divide
them according to speed into three
suuadrons, one to guard Havana,
one to protect Cienfuegos and =
third to fight and destroy the Spanish
fleet if opportunity presents itself
This latter work is assigned to Ad-
miral Sampson, who is to be practi-
cally without orders from Washing
ton. Commodore Watson is to COM
mand the new fleet.
The Spanish people are gaining
confidence from our delay, ascribing
it to weakness. A Madrid CORES
pondent reports. They rejoice owe
Cervera's success in dashing into
Santiago, yet fear he will be crushed
by the concentrated American navy
The Spanish government, however
breads a prolonged war, for it is
costing $28,000,0OO a month. Diplo-
mats in Madrid are reported to be
impatient because they can do no
thing until an important reverse for
Spain gives Austria, France and
Russia pretext to interpose. Be-
sides, Spain is disappointed at the
attitude of the German Emperor and
of Italy.