The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-05-25
UNDERGRADUATES
No Ness Received Of Any Big Naval
Engagement.
SPAIN HAS CHANGED HER PLANS.
Will Concentrate Her Energies to
Save the Philippines.
cTPNTECY mann nEEENNED
STRATEGY BOARD DEFENDED.
Secretary Long Says IT Does Not In
struct the Fightcrs--No Hurry
to Invade Cuba.

Washington. May 2i--Noiwlthstandiag
the prosistent rumors In circulation to et-
feet that a great naval engagement has
been fought In the Windward passage re-
sulting IN the destruction OF the Spanish
fleet. etc.. II can be positively stated that
the naval department has no Information
to confirm these rumors
Unless the improbable happens, there Is
no Immediate prospec. OF a naval engage
mcnt OF any magnitude. In the opinion OF
naval department officials, The unanim-
ity With which those best Informed express
this view warrants the conclusion that It Is
based upon knowledge that the hostile
fleets are again far apart. Indeed, there IS
no certainty that Admiral Cervera IS not
already bound homoward providing he he's
succeeded in securing n supply OF coal. for
he could not make the run back to the Ca
narles with less than about $500 to 5000
tons.
There are signs in Madrid that have been
noted here as something to warrant the
suppostion that thore has been a complete
change Ia the Spanish plan OF conducting
the war Indications are believed to point
to a relaxation, II not total abandonment
of the efforts TO conduct the campaign In
Cuba and the West Indian waters. The
natural conclusion, II This promise is well
founded would be that the Spaniards were
going to oougregate their entire energies
TO the defense OF the Philippine with the
view Of retaining them in the event peace
SIS forced upon them, by virtue OF the POW
ers intervention. So the retreat OF tho
Spanish squadron from the West indies
would be significant first Ia the danger II
would place Dewey Immediately. aud, sec
onlly 10 the hint II would convey that the
Spanish mind for the first time conlem-
plates the possibility OF peace.
The war board lately known as tho
strategy board had short session this
morning, There appears to be great
mistot ception on the part of the public and
newspapers as to the naaare OF this board,
Its composition. functions and manner Of
work. According TO the popular mind this
board sits In the navy department and vita
autocratlc orders directs the movements OF
tho feets and the execution Of plans OF
campaign down TO the very smallest de-
tails. This conclusion has led To a good
deal OF comment, some humorous aud some
serious, at the expense OF the board and
the idea had even apread to Europe. where
80 conservative paper az the London
Times has taken part In the criticism as
follows. 1T would be wise In the future
10 leave tho direction OF operations TO naval
commanders Councils have never proved
capable deci1ers of war. The proper func-
ton Is TO obtain Information and convey II
to the admirals who must be- as Nelson
claimed, the right to be free 10 act ut when
the fitting opportunity arrived
Nov Secretary Long IS a member of the
war board al least he is Frequently VIII
a during IT'S sessions aud he says that tbs
views OF tha Times US TO the proper fui;-
tior OF war council express exactly the
fun ciioLs conferred on and exercised by
the naval war board.
II has worked ceaselessly and Intelligent
~ to learn the movements OF the enemy
ard the enemy's plans; to gather all kind.
or Information that would be of value I,
the United States naval commanders now
al sea, 1t has not uuiertakon 10 hamper
them. with unnecessary Instructions, but Il
supplying them with all information tina
may assist and keep in mind tho principl,
that the commander on the spot Is tho per
son best qualified to act
The board has not made single mistake
tribute that Secretary Long paid It. jus
how Ii e II iuterferes with our naval com
mandors is shown In the epigrammati
message to Dewey at Hong Kong
Commence operations at once, pla,
against the Spanish flaet You must cap
ture vessels or Destroy
There was no suggestion there OF unnec
essary instructions. And. again, at Sai
Juan, according TO Secretary Long, all tina
the board dii was 10 authorize sampso
to proceed as he did and attack the place
He likewise had no veSatious limitation
placed on him.
Secretary Long returned 10 Washingto
and resumed his duties at the department
this morning, where he was immediatel,
made the object of attack by q number q
congressman. who arc asking all kinds q
favors for their constituents.
Before the cabinet meeting this mornln
Secretary Alger was asked the direct qnos
ton as To how the government was abOu
10 issue another call for troops He sal
that so far as he was concerned, he had nc
considered the matter, In view OF tho fac
that all the necessary equipment had bee
secured for the first levy OF troops. u is be
lieved that no consideration Will he give
to the adyisability of another call Mt thi
time. II 10. OF course apparent, however
that inasmurh rs the number OF troops re
qGired for the Philippines Is far In exces
OF eny demand that wss foreseen when II
original call was issued there may late
develop a necessity for more troops IL th
original plan of Invasion of Cuba Is 10 h
carried ont
"M!,h regard 10 the invasion OF Cuba
said Major General Miles at the war de
partment today. II have nothing TO sa
except that the United States will In du
time bring Cuba under Its control. by ~
dieious methods and without useles
waste OF life. Tho United States IL to
great, too strong and too powerful 70 com
nit envy foolish act In connection with tn
proposed invasion. As for myself. l HAY
onl. 10 say that no officer is fit to com
mand troops who. from any motive what
ever, would neaGlessly risk life or the bull
let's OF the enemy. have never sacrifices
thu lives OF men under my command and
do net propose to subject them to any un
necessary risks In this campaign"