New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-07-06
BRITISH CRITICS VIEWS
rrrp.s ADVANCE CONSIDERED M
PRUDENT.
TUE CAMPAIGN DECLARED NOT WE'LL PLANNED
NO CRITICISM OF sAMFsoS-dkNNAN'
AND THE PHILIPPINES


AND THE PHILIPPINES
49, .n,r TO THE TRIRUNEl
1,Iv 5-Miitary and naval experts
t,oa to-day 20 express their opinions re-
are e''a0'e santiago operations with clear
spe0',"s =, the facts They are critical, but
o+ ,mply unfriendliness to America
'"' -, an intense interest In the art Of war
ou' ,,s highest officers OF the British Army
.,,ars that General Skaters advance on
c..toao was imprudent when his force
commercially inferior TO the requirements OF the
canture Of the town by storm. He declares that
sba,er on landing ought to have taken up
..,org defensive position. fortified II, and waited
,or re,nforcements and siege guns before at
.emn.ing 10 carry by storm the Spanish posi-
tions He believes that Shafter was In a critical
nosition after fridays battle. and was only de-
uvered by Cervera's folly in pushing out Of the
harbor and allowing Sampson to win a victory
on the easiest terms.
This high officer considers that the American
campaign was not well planned and that the
serious loss Of life was unnecessary. Other
officers. while creditng the American Army
with splendid dash valor ard fortitude. are dis
posed 70 criticise hat they consider grave in
discretions IN the War Department at Wash
ngton in publishing Skaters urgent call for
reinforcements and in pronouncing conflict in
which the American troops gained and held ad-
vanced positions a drawn battle"
Naval experts have nothing to say in criticism
o. Sampson's fleet and marvel at the facility
with which Cervera's powerful vessels
driven ashore and destroyed The opinion
pressed by ill-informed journals like The
Globe" that Sampson ought to have entered
Santiago Harbor several weeks ago. and that
there has been a lack Of cooperation between
the naval and military authorities is not shared
by any expert who is familiar with the ap-
proaches 10 the inner bay. The handling OF the
American fleet is considered by skilled officers
Of the British Navy as beyond the range Of cav
Hing criticism. They do not admit that the
battle has much practical utility in It's bearing
upon naval warfare. For example. there is
much astonishment that the torpedo boat de-
stroyers should have proved ineffective. even
against a steam pleasure yacht. but the deduc
tion is made that this proves nothing, since the
Spaniards displayed skill in using these
vessels.
Members Of Parliament interested in naval
matters assert that the comparative value OF
armored cruisers and batte-ships is much
mystery as ever since Cervera's feet. with
English crews on board might have sunk some
of the most formidable Of their opponents.
Mr.. William Allan, one Of the most practical
naval experts in Parliament contends that the
Spanish Navy is OF account ! any engage
ment. since II has neither engineers nor me-
chanics competent for scientific warfare. He
does not believe that Camara's fleet entering
the Suez Canal to-day. Will ever reach the Phil
ippines and hopes that Sampson will promptly
enter Santiago Harbor.
In diplomatic circles there Is a general feeling
that the Madrid Government will not make
peace long there Is ground for hoping that
Germany may intervene in the Philippines In
some way. The presence OF a German fleet at
Manila out Of all proportion to any require
ments OF the safety OF commercial interests Is
considered by Of the best-informed men
here convenient pretext for the continuance
Of the by the Madrid Government in the
desperate hope that some complication may
arise
One OF the most mysterious factors in the stu
alton is Aguinaldo whose intrigues against his
leading associates are reported in to-days dis
patches. He is regarded Spanish insurgent
Of considerable capacity and courage but as
corrupt and unprincped. Among diplomatists
he is described insurgent who was bought
up not long ago by the Spanish Government. but
who easily induced to act in conjunction
with Dewey In the expectation Of receiving a
handsome reward. He is regarded as an un-
trustworthy and uncertain leader unfit TO be
placed in control OF the islands and as one who
would readily make a coalition with Germany
for embarrassing the American forces in the
islands.
Ambassador Hays judcious and eloquent
speech at the American dinner is praised by
nearly every London journal and is attra ling
more attention than any address previously
made by him. II impar,s new impulse to the
movement for promoting the Anglo-American
accord, which was irresistible before
l. N F.