The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-06-14

landing Of this party has been worked
out by the engineer corps OF the army.
IL Will be a laborious process at best
and will take p full day or more. The
point OF landing has been so chosen
that there Is little danger OF an Interrupt
tion from the Spanish forces, but should
they attempt 70 make trouble Admiral
Sampson's ships will insure ample pro-
lection until tho troops can care Tor
theselves.
THE PHANTOM FLEET.
The Spanish Cadiz feet IS almost as
much OF a mystery to the naval officers
here as was Admiral Cervera'S lying
squadron during the two weeks imme
diately preceding its inglorious bottling
up at Santiago. To-day a report came
that the squadron was unfit for sea.
That would have been credited, except
that the Department has had information
as lato as Saturday that the squadron
was already at sea and was about 10
depart. About a week before that II
had been told that the Cadiz feet had
sailed Having in mind these conflict
ing reports the War Board scarcely
knows where 20 give credencc. though
it would seem 10 be an extraordinary
circumstance that the least doubt could
exist as 60 the presence IN or absence
from the harbor OF n populous city such
as Cadlz OF q whole squadron of war
ships.
ARE At CADIZ.
However. the weight Of opinion seems
20 incline to the presence of the feet al
Cadiz owing to the bad condition Of the
ships. 1t may be noted. however, that
although acting upon this belief as
shown by the beginning OF the military
invasion Of Cuba, the War Board IS
taking no unnecessary chances of sur
prise and by means Of scouts has pro-
vided for securing timely warning Of tho
approach OF any hostile vessels 10 the
seat OF war.
The news OF tho attack by the Span
iards upon the United States marines
at Guantanamo Bay Saturday night was
not confirmed by official advices up TO
the close Of the day here. However
there IS no disposition to question the
accuracy of the press report and news
has had Il rather SOLDERING effect upon
the element that has insisted upon rush.
Ing troops forward regardless Of their
unpreparedness.
ARE NOT AFRAID TO FIGHT
Saturday nights action shows that the
Spanish are not afraid TO charge boldly
upon United States troops and the pros
poets Of a bushwacking warfare disclosed
by the Spanish movements are anything
but agreeable to the persons who have
been hoping for n short campaign.
good deal Of surprise is expressed at the
failure of the report 10 mention any
substantial aid received from the insur-
gents by the United States marines
camped on Crest Hill Reinforcements
were sent from our own ships, but II
does not appear in the reports that the
marines had help from the men best cal
culated from their experience in jungle
fighting to be ,of service I'm an encounter
with Spanish guerillas.
WHERE WE'RE THE CUBANS?
without any discouragemcnt 20 the
fighting ability Of the marines. who APP
pear to have acquitted themselves with
the greatest credit so far as concern
their bravery and steadiness under fire,
the question has been raised in the minds
of the military experts whether, failing
in any substantial assistance from the
Cubans. who were reported to have been
so numerous I'm the vicinity. western SOL
diers trained I'm Indian fighting would
not be OF more service I'm Cuban Jungle
campaign. Nothing so severely take the
courage and endurance of troops as 10
be shot at from cover by an unseen foe
and only troops trained in our latest
sklrmish drill can render effective SER
vice I'm such attacks
The Navy Department has concluded
that It has purchased as many small
vessels for the auxiliary feet as 1t re-
aulres. and an intimation 10 that effect
was conveyed 70 Admiral Erben, in
charge Of that service to-day.