The Springfield herald., 1898-07-14
WATSON'S MISSION.
is EXPECTED TO CHASE cAMARA
Largo Number of Colliers to Go with Him
Indicate q Long voyage-shafter and
Sampson May Take Their Time to Cap
turc Santiago

Washington, July THE President
called council of war to-day to meet
at the White House. According to one
of the members present, 1t was decided
to abide by the plans already laid. Al
ter conference with the members OF
the war board, Secretary Long an
nounced that he had Orderel Admiral
Sampson to detach from his own com
mand Immediately the vessels to be
embraced In Commodore Watson's
eastern squadron and to direct the COM
modore to proceed on his mission.
The vessels of the squadron Will not
be the same as those originally select
ed, for the reason that the recent EN-
gagement with Cervera's squadron ne
cessitated some changes. The new
eastern squadron will consists OF the
battleships Iowa and Oregon, the pro-
tected cruiser Newark and the auxil-
iary cruisers carrying side armor)
Dixie, Yankee and Yosemite, the col
liers Averenda, Cassius Caesar, Leon
idas and Justin, and the supply boat
Delmonico. The Iowa, Oregon and
Newark are all In the south with
Sampson. So is the Yosemite. The
Dixie is at Newport and the Yankee
at Tompkinsville. The colliers are at
Hampton Roads with the Dclmonico.
The ships are to set sail as soon as
they can coal and supply. 1t will not
be required, in the case Of the south
ern vessels, to come north, which
would mean the loss of several days,
but they will start directly from the
points where they are now located.
The order provides that each ship
shall make her way across the Atlantic
to marine rendezvous, which will be
designated in sealed orders, to prevent
Its exposure to the slightest possible
danger from the enemy and the most
that Is known Is that it will be at some
point off the Spanish coast. 1t probably
will not be long after that before the
American squadron will be in full
pursuit of Camnrn, with his remnant of
the Spanish navy.
Meanwhile the gathering of the
American fleet OFF the Spanish ports is
expected to have n SOLDERING effect upon
the inflamed people. The number OF
colliers accompanying the expedition
is evidence that n long cruise lies
ahead and that our naval authorities
propose to be caught In no such posi-
lion as was Camara at Port Said
obliged to submit to n refusal of coal
Ing privileges. A telegram received
at the State Department this afternoon
announced that Camara was still lying
WIFI Ills SuuiiuTOi At SueH, tie cooth-
ern and eastern entrance to the canal.
The torpedo boats Osada, Proserpina
and Audaz (Which We're yesterday re-
ported at Pharo, Portugal, arrived to-
day Mt Cadiz. their home port. Ad-
miral Dewey has been notified of all
these movements.
At the conference mentioned above
the situation mt Santiago was dis
cussed.
1t was agreed that the indications
that the city would surrender without
more fighting were very encouraging.
1t was also agreed that 1t would be
foolish to risk losing ships by letting
Sampson attempt to force an en-
trance to the harbor. or to allow Shaf-
ter to renew the attack until his men
recover from the effects of the heat
and are reinforced. Therefore 1t was
decided to send word to the two COM
mnnders at Santiago not to hurry mat
ters, but to allow the influences work
ing within the city for its capitulation
ample time to have effect, while in the
meantime advantage is taken of the de-
lay to improve the condition and posi-
ton of the American forces and to get
the reinforcements well posted.