The times., 1898-04-28
Said to Have Run the Cuban
Blockade.
A GREAT MILITARY MANEUVER
Indicntes That More Vessels May BE
Needed in Our Southern Waters
We Now Have Fourteen Vessels to
the Go0d-PrOf. Hollands SUBJ
marine Roat.

JlOn yesterday as TO the MOntSefrat ana
the reports that she had run the block
ade of the American ships on the south
ern side of Cuba and landed a valuable
cargo and a large force of troops. The
unofficial opinion was expressed that the
account was probably untrue, and that
| if the Montserrat had met the blockading
fleet she would have been its property
within very few moments.
1t is noticeable. however that the tone
of its disbelief was not as confident as
it has been before at stories of Spanish
victories
Cienfuegos is the port on the southern
coast of Cuba that is supposed to be
blockaded. 1t is the only southern port
that has railway corrections with Ha-
ana and the only :.ot cut off from Ha-
vana for all practical purposes by the
insurgents. For this reason it is the
only one at which the Montserrat would
desire to land and also the only one that
the United States cared to blockade.
1t is suggested at the department that
if the Montserrat had run the blockade
she has made a shrewd maneuYer. and
deserves all military credit for it. She
was bound for Havana, but seeing the
hopelessness OF reaching that port, appar-
emily changed her course, and went south
of Cuba instead.
The blockade at Cienfuegos is known
not to be a heavy one. The Castine and
another gunboat were detailed to the
duty They are not speedy ships, how
ever, and if once a cruiser like the Mont
serrat passed them she could never be
overhauled.
If the Montserrat has really run the
blockade it is a matter of large i'm
portance that cannot be measured IN the
immensely valuable cargo Of the ship. The
fact that ship of the peaceful nature Of
this craft could slip between the vessels
to a port and land a cargo would mean
that the Navy Department must put more
ships on the southern coast, at least, if
it hopes to starve the Spaniards into sub
mission. 1t has been the intention of the
department to withdraw large part of
the fleet instead of adding to it. The plan
of sending several Of the ships to the
| coast defense will not be so easy, and
the problem of the naval warfare will
| reported.
The news of the day Yesterday, except
for the rumors Of the Cadiz fleet and of
the Montserrat was very little. This as
partially owing to a lulI in the situation
for the moment and partially to the very
stringent rules as to the giving out of liz
! formation that have heen inaugu.a ted
since the beginning of hostilities Every
| thing has been done already except the
entire closing of the doors of the depart
ment to the newspaper men, and it is be-
| lieyed that this may be the next step.
! The list of vessels captured by the
blockade fleet was made fourteen yester-
! day by the addition to The list of the Am
brosia Boliver.
Spains reported captures of the Shen-
andoah and the Paris were yesterday
finally proven to be on paper only. like
| her victories over the Cubans. Spain
| list thus has not yet begun.
/ The Holland has not yet been accepted
! by the Government despite the very posi-
tive statement in several of the papers.
Prof Holland is in Washington in the
interest of his submarine wonder. and is
working valiantly TO induce the Govern
ment TO take her, even on trial if in no
other way. 1t is understood, too, that
Mr. Roosevelt is on his side, in the belief
that a machine of such possibilities should
| be given a trial against the Span
ish navy Up to late hour yesterday,
| however Prof Holland had not made
! his deal, and the chances We're against
| him.
Capt. Bradford is sill at the head OF
the bureau of equipment He desires
to be given ship. but it is understood
that Secretary Long wishes to keep him
at the head of his bureau. where his ex-
perience is proving immensely valuable.