Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1898-05-28
ALMOST CERTAIN. .

kingston, Jamaica, May 28.-
Twelve American warships are outside
of Santiago de Cuba harbor. The
Spanish feet is almost certainly inside
RUMoRs OF WORK.
NEW York, May 28-A dispatch
from Key West says there Is report
there that the cruiser Brooklyn, of
Commodore Schley's fleet, landed a
largo quantity of arms, ammunition
and stores at Cienfuegos, on Tuesday
This is said to have been done after a
fight, in which the fort on the south
side or Cienfuegos bay was badly dam
aged. There is also alleged to have
been fight between 700 insurgents
and a force of Spanish cavalry, in
which the latter was defeated.
NUMBER NO T KNOWN.
KINGSTON, Jamaica, May 28, 1890 a
m.-The United States Auxiliary Crui-
ser Harvard, formerly the American
line steamer New York, arrived here
this morning, after having left the
American fleet at noon yesterday.
Twelve American warship are now
outside of Santiago de Cuba harbor.
Admiral Cervsra and the Spanish fleet
are almost certainly inside. But MOTH
ing certain is known as to the commu-
nication which Commodore Schley had
with the shore or as to the number of
Spanish fighting vessels bottled up in
the harbor. 1t is presumed that the
Harvard has important dispatches for
the Naval Authorities.
ccrYr nv poEcN'T KNpw
KEY WEST, Fla, May %. = Copy.
right lit is almost certain that Com
modore Schley has the Spanish fleet
bottled up in the harbor of Santiago.
There is so little doubt about it, that
this naval campaign is proceeding on
the assumption that Admiral Cervera
is incapable of doing any harm.
Within few days the exact condi-
tion of Santiago will be known, with
out the shadow of doubt. In spita
of assertions to the contrary, Schley
was not absolutely sure of his game
when he last communicated with Rear
Admiral Sampson. The Commodore
will! not take active steps to block up
the entrance of Santiago harbor, until
he ia perfectly certain that Cervera's
ships are inside However, he may
have dens this already.
The Commodore stayed three days at
Cienfuegos. He signalled his ships, |
believe the Spanish fleet is in the har-
Dor. On this belief, a message was
sent to Admiral Sam pson. The details
of how Schley found out that he was
mistaken are not yet known At any
rate, the Commodore then moved east,
arriving outside of santiago, Wednes-
day morning, May 25th.
The topography of Cienfuegos
and Santiago is almost Identical.
Both harbors are about six miles
long, with narrow entrances, about
300 yards wide, protected by high
lands. A feet could lie 10 the harbor
of either place and be invisible from
the outside.
Before this dispatch shall be published.
it is likely that Schley has sent some
vessel into he entrance of the harbor
Of Santiago,a and obtained from reliable
source ashore, information as to the
exact number and names Of the Span.
ish war ships.
Contrary to the generally expressed
opinion, Santiago barber is poorly pro-
tected. Like Havana and San Juan
de Puerto Rico, it has MORO Castle,
which is even better target than are
those of Havana and San Juan. The
only danger to be feared is from mines
laid in the channel of Santiago since
wsr was declared. But countsrmining
would probably render the mine harm
less, should 1t prove desirable for
Schley's ship to enter the harbor.
Such step, however, Is unlikely.
NAVY PLEASED AT ADVANCE.
KEY WEST, May 28.-Rumors of the
sailing of the second Spanish squadron
did not worry Rear Admiral sampson
In the slightest. His feelings were
aptly expressed recently when he said
am perfectly satisfied Ne have bagged
those fellows, (referring to Cervera'a
feet
For the second time since the war
Vas declared. the Admiral has been
notified that the army was ready to
move This is good news to all naya
officers. among whom inaction hai
temporarily produced much natura
irritation. All appearances now poin|
to the passing away of this feeling, ant
& hearty active co operation between
tho Army and Navy may be an
ticipated.
THEY DON'T BELIEVE IT.
oCAPE HA1TIEN. Hayti. May s.-Ru
NOR reached here Of an importan
American success, but ne confirmation
can be obtained here. Since tae ru
mored arrival of the Spanish fleet a
Santiago de Cuba, no news had reached
here, though the cable between lhi
place and Santiago ls not interrupted.