The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-06-03
PLANS
ALL
CHANGE
Invasion of Cuba by Land May
Be Abandoned.
Troops Will Go to Porto Rico
if Anywhere.
SCHLEY AND SAMPSON
Will be left to Capture Cuba
by Sea.
All the Result of SchIey'S
Feeler of Tuesday.
Invasion of Cuba by Land May
Be Abandoned.
Troops Will Go to Porto Rico
if Anywhere.
SCHLEY AND SAMPSON
Will be left to Capture Cuba
by Sea.
All the Result of Schley's
FeeIer of Tuesday.

New York, June "a special to the
Tribune from Washington says:
The contingency, clearly foreseen and
provided for in the orders sent to Ma
jor General Shafter last Sunday which
might render superf1uous the begin
ming of extended army operations in
the vicinity of Santiago has now ac-
Quired important proportions, in view
of the extremely formidable naval con-
centration which is reported off the
southern coast of Cuba, and there has
been a consequent Improvement in the
prospects of an immediate invasion of
Porto Rico, with the likelihood of the
occupation of San Juan itself before
the middle of June.
Army officers in Washington believe
that the reported arrival of Sampson
off Santiago and the presence there of
the peerless Oregon, signalize the con-
fdence of the naval commanders that
Cervera's squadron may be destroyed
without depending on assistance ashore
and that, quickly following the recon-
nOitering skirmish of the Iowa, the
Massachusetts and the New Orleans. a
decisive engagement would be under
taken. Should this conviction prove
well founded the troops now on the
way to Mole ST. Nicholas will not go
south through Windward Passage, but
will continue their easterly course past
Cape Haytien, and promptly begin the
vigorous campaign which has been
mapped out for the seizure of Porto
Rico.
Since the departure of General Miles
from Washington, the probability that
army cooperation would be imperative
at Santiago has materially diminished.
particularly since the effectiveness of
Commodore Schley's communications
with the insurgents ashore became full
ly known and clearly appreciated by
the officials here now charged solely
with supporting actual operations of
fleets and armies.
The commodore is certain that he had
CerVera securely in the harbor and his
request for naval rather than military
reinforcements, has given rise to un-
questioning assurances on the part of
the highest authorities that he can
safely be trusted to carry out the re-
SpOnsibilities which have been imposed
on him. His demonstration that the
Santiago batteries were insignificant to
a degree that removed them from ser
3OuS consideration as essential elements
in the defense of that harbOr. although
theoretical strategists have laboriously
figured out that naval guns could not
be sufficiently elevated to reach them,
has cast grave doubts on the efficiency
of the alleged mine fields with which
the channel has been presumed to be
protected, and it is the impression of
naval officers here, who probably re-
fleet the opinions of the naval COM
manders on the scene that an attack
on the Spanish squadron inside the
harbor would be attended with scarce
ly greater hazards than an engagement
with it in the open sea, and with infin-
itely improved chances of accomplish
ing its complete defeat.
In view of the extreme latitude now
allowed to fleet commanders whose dis
erection is practically unlimited by war
boards or other officials distant from
the front, it is evident that no one in
Washington, of whatever exalted auth
ority, can predict the character of the
next report from the combined armored
Squadrons. UnquestiOnably to them
the crucial battle of the war is inoroi-
nent, unless all signs fail, and it NAV
be matter of hours rather than davs
before the receipt of news of an occur
renee which may terminate the war or
in any event draw the line sharply for
the conduct of all succeeding opera
tiOQS