The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-04-30
Three Torpedo Boats and Two Con-
voys Compelled to Return to ST. Vim
cent After Being in Collision.
WORK FOR FIST CRUISERS
BIG OCEAN GREYHOUNDs MAY BE
SENT TO SPANISH WATERS.
The ST. Louis, st. Paul and Harvard
Enemy and Destroying Ships.
wxk

WASHINGTON, April 29.-This was day
of alarming rumors, running all the way
from the blowing up of a big monitor to
the detention and punishment of traitors,
but, fortunately, all of them turned out on
inquiry to be without foundation. Actual
events of Importance were few in number.
The news of the day of most interest was
the departure from Cape Verde of the
Spanish fleet, the stay of which at st. Vim
cent has been source of anxiety on the
part of the officials here, because it seemed
to indicate the sympathy of Portugal for
Spain and might lead her to wink at
violation of the neutrality laws In favor of
Spain. Late in the afternoon a cablegram
came to the State Department from Cape
Verde, bearing no signature, announcing
that four battle ships and three torpedo
boats had started north and some of the
transports for Cuba, and that the northern
fleet returned shortlyc having been in col
lision. Because there was no signature at
tached, the officials did not know what i'm
portance to attach to this message, as these
are not the times to accept what appears
to be information without close scrutiny.
The statement in the press dispatches
that the vessels whensleaving st. Vincent
were headed in a southerly direction Is
valueless as indication as to the real
course of the fleet. The majority of the
naval officers here feel confident that the
Spanish fleet will next appear at the Canary
islands, about half way between Cape Verde
and Spain, and lying directly in the home
ward path of the ships. AS the Canaries
are Spanish islands and possess some forti-
fications worthy of consideration, it may be
that the fleet will abe allowed to remain
there for some time, as the islands form
a good strategic base What most concerns
the naval officers just now is to learn just
when the fleet does arrive there. The cable
to the Caparies is in Spanish hands, and
the arrival of the fleet would be kept Sc
cret
1t is entirely possible that the operations
Of the American fleet in Cuban waters in
the matter of Selling. Spanish vessels as
prizes will be soon completely eclipsed by
the performance ofnthe swift ocean grey
hounds recently purchased by the govern
ment from the American line. These YES
sels-the st. Louis ST. Paul and Harvard
have been fitted with armor protection over
ali their exposed machinery and have al
ready received good batteries. 1t was the
intention of the department to considerably
supplement these batteries at the navy
ydIuS, DuL OWlIlS 10 the receipt VI
information from abroad as to the move
ments of some richly laden Spanish yes
sells the department, does not consider that
time remains to complete the work in the
ordinary manner at sthe navy yards, now
overwhelmed with other necessary work,
so the transformed liners are to be rushed
to sea. 1t is rumoreda that they carry in
their holds some guns of heavy caliber
which will be mountedS when they are on
blue water. No official statement can be
secured as to the destination of these splen-
did auxiliary cruisers, but it Is rumored that
they are to head directly for the coast of
Spain, where they will lie in wait for the
Spanish prizes. Unless the small observa-
ton force of the Spanish in the Medter-
ranean, composed of torpedo boats and de-
StroyerS, is reinforced before the liners
reach those waters, they are likely to fall
easy victims to the gunners of the cruisers.
The proposed visitation of the converted
American liners to the coast OF Spain may
hasten the return home of the Cape Verde
squadron, for it is believed that squadron
comprises about all the vessels in the Span
ish navy that are speedy and powerful
of the St. Paul class.
Captain Sampson sent q telegram relative
to the firing at the Matanzas forts. 1t was
disappointingly lacking in. detail, but the
few words contained in the dispatch went
to confirm the official view that the affair
was nothing more than naval reconnois-
Sance.