It contained the ammunition which was absolutely necessary if Commodore George Dewey, in command of the Asiatic squadron, was to play a part in the war.

The position of his squadron, even after it received its ammunition, was indeed singular.
After the war began, it was unable to obtain coal or other supplies from any neutral port and at the same time it was equally unable to remain in any such port without being interned for the duration of the war.

There remained but one course of action.

It must not be forgotten that the Spanish empire stretched eastward as well as westward.

Already William Pitt, when he had foreseen in 1760 the entrance of Spain into the war which England was then waging with France, had planned expeditions against both Cuba and the Philippines.