Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-05-13

Washington, May 12.-The set
back received by the American
blockading squadron in the engage
ment in Cardenas harbor yesterday,
and the loss of five lives on board
the torpedo boat Winslow, had a
SOLDERING effect on the element in
the navy which is crying out for
rapid action and efforts at Destroy
ing batteries with unarmored ships.
There probably will be some so
of inquiry instituted to ascertain
the responsibility Of sending such
unprotected shells as the Winsiow
against fortified ports. 1t is mir
aculous in the opinion of the older
officers at the department that the
damage and loss of life were con-
fined to the Winslow, for the other
boats with her were very little bet
ter off in the matter of protection
and scarcely any of them could re-
sist the fire of small rifle.
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.
Notwithstanding the multitude
of rumors that came from all parts
Of the West Indies as, to the bonn
bardment Of San Juan de Porto
Rico and other sanguinary engage
ments between's Simpsons battle
ships and the Spanish forces, the
Navy Department 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. Secretary Long
remained at his desk until 5:l5,
and on leaving, sent word that he
had nothing further to make pub
lie. The strain of the day had been
severe on the secretary and he went
home well night exhausted. 1t is
believed that there will be difficulty
in Admiral Sampson communicate
ing with the department by cable
from st. Thomas, and there are
also suggestions that the newspaper
dispach boats accompanying Samp-
sons fleet will be deprived of the
use of the cable also, on the pre-
text that neutrality is thereby yio-
lated 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 re-
course to the direct cable at Hayti,
about 25G or 800 miles distant from
San Juan. involving a delay of a
day ard half or two days in COM
municating information to the Unit
ted :sates.
Just where the Spanish flying
squadron is remains in doubt, and
no word of official confirmation has
come to the Navy Department of
the Cadiz report of day before yes
terday that the squadron is there.
Still there are enough American
scouting vessels covering the APP
prOaches to the West India channel
to spot any approaching Spanish
ship in short order.
The people on the New England
coast have had their apprehen-
sions aroused again lest the Span
ism appear in force off their coast
and proceed to destroy the summer
resorts and small craft there. Mr..
Allen, the newly indicted Assist
ant Secretary of the Navy. being a
Massachusetts man. had 10 bear the
brunt of a score of applications for
protection that come to the depart
ment from all points on the coast
from Maine TO Connecticut. The
department has done what it re-
CARDS as necessary in assigning
the monitors and some vessels of
the Mosquito feet to the patrol of
this coast and in holding Commo-
dore Schley's magnificent squadron
at Hampton Roads ready to fly at
twenty-knot speed to any point on
the coast that may be threatened.
A dispatch came to-day TO the
Navy Department from Admiral
Dewey at Manila. 1t was dated
Hong Kong to-day. was evidently
few days old end does not show
that Dewey has possessed himself
of Manila. Probably he regards
his original orders as not broad
enough TO justify that action with
out further directions and as his