Evening journal., 1898-05-18
CHANGING PLANS.
Invasion Of Cuba May Be
Begun Before the
Naval Battle.
IMPATIENCE INCREASING
Government Affected by Criticism of
Its Policy.
STILL LOOKING FOR CERVERA.
willy spanInrd Keeps Sailors GUESSING.
Concord and Boston TO Attack IIono.
Rumor OF Naval Engagement.
Spanish Gunboats mt Guayaquil.

WASHINGTON, May 1S.-The official
bulletin boards yesterday failed TO yield
any news OF the movements Of either OF
the three fleets. SIMPSONS. Schley's
and the Spanish flying squadron, and
there is reason to believe that the de-
partment itself has received no infor-
nation on that point The department
officials are beginning TO show a little
sensitiveness to criticism In the matter
Of delay in engaging the Spanish fleet
in action, conscious as they are that
they have made all dispatch compau-
bic with due regard for the safety OF
our own ports as well as of the lives of
the crews OF our warships
Considerable pressure has come upon
the administration from congressional
quarters to have the campaign hasten
ed and there are thought to be signs of
q resumption OF the plans OF the mill
tary leaders for the invasion OF Cuba
at the point where they were suddenly
suspended by the announcement OF the
arrival OF tho Spanish flying squadron
at Martinique. one sign OF this was the
Inclusion In the regular army orders OF
a direction to Captain Ager to go TO
Tampa to join General Miles. At army
headquarters there was no sign OF inn
mediate departure. but after all. in view
VI Ait AAiA AAltA AllItt Alllta at lt4al W.
erything has been prepared for a move
ment to Tampa, II may be presumed
that everything is In trim for depar-
ture at short notice without open mani
festation OF preparations.
The department processes to feel no
apprehension that Admiral Dewey or
his men are in anywise endangered by
their occupation OF Manila harbor on
the present basis but this cannot be
said OF the unfortunate inhabitants OF
Manila II the present situation Is pro-
tracted unduly. It is no small matter
10 organize and transport an expedition
of $4,000 or 1900 soldiers 5000 miles
across the sea at short notice, and the
Indications are that within a week some
of the soldiers at least viii be on their
way from San Francisco following the
Charleston, which Is expected 10 leave
at any moment with a few supplies
most urgently needed by Admiral
There are indications that the war
department has been brought to see
the wisdom and fairness Of the sugges-
tions thrown out by Major General
Merritt that his expedition should con-
sist OF not less than $1,000 men and that
at least n third of them should be sea-
soned troops from the regular army
capable OF meeting on even terms the
veteran Spanish soldiers who garrison
Manila. To endeavor 10 overcome the
Spanish force with less than half their
number of troops would seem to be a
senseless proceeding in view of the fact
that there is no necessity for such
course. General Merritt took occasion
TO deny very emphatically the accuracy
of certain newspaper interviews pub
lished yesterday morning which placed
him in the position of refusing to obey
an order TO proceed to the Philippines
because his force was insufficient. The
officials at the department upon seeing
these publications did not hesitate to
express at once their belief that Gen
eral Merritt was too good soldier to
refuse 20 obey lawful order. although
they admitted that he might have, as
he did yesterday through Inspector
General Hughes, a member Of his stan.
suggest the propriety of an increase in
the number and betterment in the quail
ity OF the soldiers TO be assigned to his
command
Reports received here from Key West
show that the condition of the little tor
pedo boat Winsiow is much worse than
was supposed. and It win be necessary
in all probability TO have her come to
Norfolk for repairs. One shot smashed
her low pressure starboard cylinder and
another broke and traversed one Of
her boilers. II would be possible to get
along under one boiler and reduce the
starboard engine from a quaduple to
triple expansion. but the efficiency Of
the boat would be very much lowered
thereby.
Following few days later upon the
news OF the terrible assault on the
Winslow and her disablement came
through the malls an official report
from Commander McCalla of an en-
gagement the little boat was in day
or two before she came to grief II re-
fleets great credit upon the officers and
men Of the craft and was promptly
made public by the navy department.
It reads as follows:
United States gunboat Machias.
on Cardenas. Cuba, May 1.-THE Ma
chias, the Wilmington. the Hudson and
the Winslow proceeded I'm as far as the
distractions would allow. The Mach as
took up a position about 2.1OO Yards
northeast OF Diana cay. The Whining
ton. with the Hudson and the Wins
low, proceeded TO enter the inner har-
Dor between Romero and Blanco cays
where / felt quite certain there were
no mines, depth Of water by the chart
being ~ fathoms. The vessels found
no trouble In entering and were soon
steaming into Cardenas bay I opened
fire on Diana cay signal station and
sent the launch, with Ensign Willard
in charge, 10 take possession Of the sta
ton. find the wires and explode the
mines IL possible or cut them. No wires
were found, however. although strict
search was made for them on the island
and by dredging around g.
Ensign Willard accomplished the
work in an excellent manner, destroy
ing the station and all government