The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1898-05-20
A STARTLING ORDER.
Women and Children Ordered AWAY
from Fort Warren, Mass.
NEW ENGLAND COAST is INSECURE.
Report That Spanish warshIps Are In the
North AtlaDtIc-The Invasion Of Cuba
Postponed to Await the Outcome
of Expected NRvaI Battle.

WASHINGTON, May 14.-The most
startling intelligence comes in the
form of alleged instructions issued by
the naval authorities yesterday, or
dering the women and children away
from Fort Warren in Boston harbor.
1t is said that the New England coast
has been made insecure by the pres
ence of Spanish gunboats, but what
adds TO the alarm is the report that
one of the most formidable warships
in the enemy's navy is in the north At
lantic. That these ships should have
succeeded in eluding our vigil
lance is increasing the uneasi-
ness, and IL these reports prove to be
true 1t may render the division of our
aeet in the West Indies Indispensable
in order to prevent the leisurely de-
struction of unprotected points of the
Atlantic seaboard. For awhile no at
tention was paid to the reports made
by German and Norwegian shippers of
being held up by Spanish armed ships
near the Newfoundland banks, but it
is now thought that Spanish priva-
teers, if not actual warships, are
securing those waters and will make
their attacks on the coast in order to
divert the concentration of the Ameri-
can squadrons in the West Indies.
The Columbia is on guard duty there,
but against IA battle,hip she would
prove too frail to risk an encounter.
TO WAIT FOR NAVAL FIoHr.
WASHINGTON, May IA. An plans for
the invasion of Cuba and the occupa-
ton of Porto Rico by United States
troops have been temporarily changed.
Every thing will be held in obeyance
until the result of the impending bat
tie between Adm. SIMPSONS squadron
and the Spanish fleet is known When
the announcement was made early yes
terday morning that the Spaniarls had
finally been located off Martinique, w.
l., and that Adm. Sampson had left
Porto Rico in pursuit, the war board
of strategy and the cabinet changed
all plans for the army. 1t was consid-
cred by all that the naval battle would
have to be fought first, and all arrange
ments were made TO that end. Although
the Spanish feet had been definitely
located at last, the board of strategy
admitted that there were three propo.
slblOhs, SlIltT VI WHICH mlRnb DE TAX
en- by Adm. Cervera. He could sail di-
rectly west from Martinique through
the Caribbean sea and aim at Havana,
either through the windward passage
or along the southern coast of Cuba;
he could sail north for Porto Rico to
meet Sampson, or he could turn south
and make for the South American
coast to cut off the Oregon, the Mari
eta and the Buffalo. The big battle
ships under Adm. Sampson are now
searching for Adm. Cervera in the sea
south of Porto Rico, while the flying
squadron is cutting foam behind it in
race to the eastern coast of
Cuba, to prevent the Spaniards reach
ing Havana, Cienfuegos or San tiago
de Cuba. Unless the Spanish fleet has
turned south il will not be many hours
before decisive contest is fought. If
the southern route is taken it is IA stern
chase, with the possibility that the
Oregon and her companion ships may
meet Adm. Corvera and be worsted.
1t is believed here that the Spanish
admiral has made up his mind TO try
conclusions near Porto Rico, and il is
there that he will meet the vessels of
Adm. SIMPSONS fleet This means
fight to finish some time to-day.