Evening star., 1898-05-02
EFFECT ON HOSTILITlES
Influence of Yesterdays Battle on Future
Operations.
Date of Cuban Invasion Depends o.
The whereabouts of the Spanish
Cape Verde Fleet.

The administration will not, 1t is said,
arrive at hasty determination in respect
to further military and naval operations in
consequence of the reports received from
the Philippines. The officials hope to re-
ceive a definite report from Commodore
Dewey at an early enough date to be of
value in connection with the operation of
the fleets under command of Admiral
Sampson and Commodore Schley. The ad-
vices received from hostile sources show
clearly enough that Commodore Dewey has
utterly destroyed the Spanish power in the
Pacific, but they do not show what dam
age if any of consequence, was done our
own vessels.
As this is the first enga cement our mod
ern war vessels have had. it is of meal
culable value to know exactly how our
vessels behaved and what weaknesses they
showed Information on this line will en-
able the commanders of our Atlantic
squadrons to correct whatever defects may
exist in the new system of naval action
and give them confidence in the good quail
ties OF the modern warship not heretofore
tested very strong belief prevails that
the Philippine victory is the beginning of
the end. and that prompt action at this
time will speedily bring Spain to terms
The disturbed condition of affairs in Madrid
reported this morning shows the despera te
straits to which the Spanish government
has been driven, and it is conceived to be
possible that Spain will not be in the con-
dition to prosecute the war much further
Civil strife at home will make it very diff
ficult for her to maintain herself, even for
a short time, either on the seas or in Cuba
The opinion is entertained that if the
Cape Verde fleet is not already directly on
its way to Porto Rico it will never go there
or anywhere on this side of the Atlantic
The fact, however. that the fleet on leav-
iEg the Cape Verde Islands, steamed
straight away toward Porto Rico for
twelve hours renders it probable that 1t
continued on this coUIse and will show up
at Porto Rico. If This is found to be the
case it is believed that the war can be
ended with one bold stroke within a very
snort time after it is positively known that
the fleet is coming this way No doubt
whatever is felt that if the Spanish fleet
will face an engagement we will be able
to utterly destroy it.
Effect on Cuban Invasion,
There is still some uncertainty as to the
effect the news from the Philippines will
Lave on the contemplated invasion of
cuba Some authorities are strongly in
favor Of making formidable invasion at
orce, at the same time attacking the coast
defenses from our feet, without delaying
to ascertain the movements of the Spanish
fleet. Conservative opinion is that this
would be d hasty action, and the probabil-
ity is that our plan. so far as the invasion
OF Cuba is concerned, will not be changed.
but that the force of 5000 men, or possi-
bly, more, will be landed at a convenient
point in Cuba within two or three days to
establish base Of supplies and pu. them
selves in communication with the Cubans,
as was before contemplated.
BY that time it will probably be known
definitely where the Spanish fleet is. If it
is at Porto Rico or on it's way there
strong fleet, composed of the flying SQUAD
ron and some of Admiral Sampsons s SQUAD
ron. will be sent against il to do battle
without any fear to what the result
will be- The destruction of the Spanish
fleet under these circumstances would rem
DER Spain entirely helpless, and she would
have to sue for peace under such terms as
we would grant. If, on the other hand, 1t
is found that the Cape Verde feet has
turned back to the Canaries, 1t is probable
that the complete invasion of Cuba will be
FASTENED. and the capture of Havana and
Matanzas be undertaken by the co-opera-
tion of land and naval forces by the speedi-
est process possible. There will be no ap-
prehension IL the Spanish fleet has turned
back that 1t will at any time make an ae-
gressive move.