The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-05-15

Washington. May 14.--Defnitc official In
formation reached here this afternoon that
the Spanish squadron had been sighted off
the island of Curacao, one OF the Dutch
West Indies, lying of the north coast OF
Venezuela. This Information was regarded
as OF vital Importance, as 1t not only fixes
the position of the enemy. but dlseloses the
purpose OF the Spanish admiral to oluds
Simpsons fleet and make hig way through
the Caribbean sea, probably to Cuba.
The island of Curacoa was originally
Spanish, and is pi 0pled mainly by descend
ants of spaniards, though 1t IS now one OF
the Dutch possessions.
The spanish admlralg course wos also
influenced by the fact that the French
cable starting from Caracas. Venezuela,
touched at the island Of Curacao and pro-
oeeds northward through the Caribbean to
HaytI, with spurs running east and west
tc Porto Rico and Cuba respectively. lie
ie thus enabled TO get IN touch from Cn'
Iacoa with the Spanish authorities in Cuba
ard Porto Rico and through them directly
with the Spanish admiralty to Madrid.
No Immediate battle with Sampson Is ex-
poctcd. as the spaniams, 1t seems likely,
have Succeeded IN passing south of the
American fleet and fel 10 the westward OF
1t.
AS the enemy is IN reach of the cable the
navy regards it rs of the most vital con-
corn that the exact Whereabouts of the
American ships should not be made known
during the next few days. Thus far they
have felt Handicapped by tho fact that the
Spanish admiral knew the whereabouts of
the American ships The officials here re-
gard 1t as essential during the next few
days to reverse this condition. so thu the
Spanish admiral will be moving In the dark
while our officers WIN be posted a. TO his
movements through tho Caribbean. The
department ia informed as 10 the where
ahous of Admiral SIMPSONS squadron, bp'
IL does not see fit to give any news on tht
subject, and tho same rigid silence prevail,
as to the whereabouts and destination Of
Commodore sehleys flying squadron.
The game has reached such o critical
stage that premature publication MS to the
whereabouts of onr ships may cause mos
Unable loss and failure of present plans
In one respect the maneuvcrs of the Span
ish fleet Is relief to naval officials here
Cs II seems to assure the safety Of the
battleshp Oregon. She is proceeding from
the north coast Of South America tc
join SIMPSONS fleet and is somewhere IL
the neighborhood OF Martinique. Had the
Spanish squadron sailed at the point Their,
would have been serious danger that tn,
Oregon would have been intercepted
The determined attack made by III,
Marblehead and other vessels on the nceal
cables running seward from Nenluego
shows that tho government finds II neces
sary to cut off all communication between
Captain General Blanco at Havana I'M,
6pain by cable, That the effort was no
wholly successful was apparent by III
fact that all the cables were not cut.
They were prepared to risk few rla
SLOTS, but not the murderous fire OF Max
Inns. However, as Captain McCala 4
noted for determination and courage, i
for any quality, 1t can be taken FOR grant
ed he VIII not abandon the task until h
succeeds.
Considering the great strategic value o