Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1898-05-10
TROOPS ARE MAKING READY FOR CUBA
First Naval Engagement in Cuban Waters Proves a
Vest Pocket Affair."
spANIARDs HAVE GONE BACK TO cADIz

KEY WEST, May 1O.-The torpedo
boat Winslow engaged three Spanish
gun boats, off Cardenas bay, Sunday
afternoon. She disabled one and came
out unscratched.
vEsT POCKET FIGHT.
On Board Associated Press Dispatch
Boat Kate Spencer, Off Cardenas, May
9.-Via Key West, Fla, May 10.-The
little torpedo boat Winslow, yesterday
morning, pracipitated the first naval
engagement fought in Cuban waters.
On reconnaissance in Cardenas harbor
she drew the fire of three Spanish coast
guard vessels, and lively vest pocket
sea fight followed, with tiny gun
boats
AS the Winslow was decidedly in the
minority she ran for open sea, where
her big station mate gun boat, Machias,
which had been called up by the firing,
took hand in the game with four inch
rifles, and tossed several shells over the
low sand spit behind which the Spanish
boats were sheltered.
1t was impossible to see whether any
of these shells landed. The Winslow
was not touched, but claims to have
knocked few splinters out of a larger
coast guard boat. The most important
result otthe Winslow's reconnaissance
was the discovery that the Cardenas
harbor is mined.
ONE AGAINST TWO.
PORT AU PRINCE, Hayti, May TO-
The Minister of the Interior received a
dispatch from the Mole st. Nicholas,
saying that two American war ships
are there and Spanish vessel is watch
ing outside. The announcement is OF
fully credited.
LEE FIRST GOVERNOR.
NEW YORK, May 10.--A special to
the Journal, from Washington says:
Major General Fitzhugh Lee will be
the first military governor of Cuba.
GUssIE HASN'T GONE.
TAMPA, Fla, May 10.-The steamer
Gussie, which was expected to sail last
highs with guns, ammunition and sup
plies for the Cuban Insurgents, is still
in the port of Tampa. Probably orders
to sail will be given before nightfall.
To two companies of the First Infantry
falls the honor of being the first to en-
bark for Cuba on the Gussie. The
command of the troops at Tampa was
today formally turned over to Major
General Wade, by Major General
Shafter in conformity with orders re-
ceived yesterday from Washington.
Shaftsr, 1t is said, will command the
army In Cuba.
oUSsIE IS GONE.
TAMPA, Fla, May 10.-The Gussie
sailed for Cuba at p. M, with two
companies of United States troops.
BAD FOR SAMPSON.
WAsHINGToN, May 10.-News has
Just reached the Navy Department that
the Spanish Cape Verde fleet has ar
rived at Cadiz.
NEW York, May 10.--A special from
London says that a cipher dispatch re-
ceived there from Cadiz reports the re-
turn of four cruisers, one torpedo boat
and three torpedo boat destroyers, COM
prising 1t is alleged part of the Cape
Verde Island fleet.
GETTING HUNGRY.
MADRID, May 10.-Captain General
Blanco has cabled an urgent request
for considerable supplies of provisions.
sHELLING EARTH WORKS.
On Board Associated Press Dispatch
Boat Kate Spencer, Off Cardenas, May
9th via KEY WEST. Florida, May TO-
The Spanish soldiers are displaying
much activity along the coast from
Bahia Hondo, forty-five miles west of
Havana, to Cardenas sixty-five miles
eastward.
As the ships of the blockading fleet
have instructions to prevent the erec-
tion of new Notifications. and have at
various points shelled working parties
the task of strengthening the existing
defenses and throwing up earthworkf
is carried on principally at night, save
In the immediate vicinity of Havana
The works are of flimsy character
and would be reduced by fire of the big
guns in few minutes.
The Hornet and Winslow blockadinf
Matsnzas had lively time for severa
days, shelling Spanish details at worl
on batteries and telegraph lines outside
she entrance Of the haTbor.
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