Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-05-28
ons Based on Suggestions.
Copyright, Associated Press.)

Off the Northern Coast of Cuba, May
u, 2 a. m. (Vla Key West, Fla, May
z7)-At ten o'clock last night the Dol
phin ran alongside the flagship New
York. Her lights showed that she bore
dispatches for Rear Admiral Sampson.
The commander of the Dolphin shouted
through the megaphone: II have dis
patches from Commodore Schley to
the Commander-in-Ch
A cheer went up from the crowded
decks of the New York.
| Commodore Schley's dispatches were
dated off Cienfuegos. absolutely
nothing definite can be said," was the
reply which Captain Chadwick, of the
New York, made TO a question as to
what had transpired.
! Since he heard of Admiral Cervera's
arrival at Curacao, Rear Admiral
Sampson has repeatedly said he be-
lieved the Spaniards would go to Glen
fuegos or Santiago de Cuba.
| There is good reason to believe, from
a strategic point CT view, that more
can be gained by the Spaniards being
bottled up in Santiago de Cuba than
in an engagement which, though it
would result in victory for the Ameri-
oone n,Uht tayo raSulted in Gonna RI M
age to our ships. In the harbor of San
| tiago de Cuba the Spanish fleet would
be helpless. The channel leading into
the harbor is narrow and the enemy
can either be kept prisoner, by sink
| ing few hulks in the channel, or he
can be destroyed by superior force.
If Commodore Schey has successfully
accomplished his object there now
seems nothing to prevent active ope-
rations upon the part of the army.
| That is the idea of the best naval gu
thorities The climate in Cuba is not
what it was month ago. but it is much
better than it will be a month hence,
and before another Spanish feet can
reach these waters, the naval author,-
ties hope to see our troops in possess
sion of base of operations in Cuba
The navy would be able to cover the
landing Of the troops and enable the
military forces to get ashore without
hlndrance Intense enthusiasm reigns
| tonight among the officers and men
over the news, even though it is not
absolutely certain of the success of the
work OF the last month. The days
have passed slowly and YEARLY and 40
persons have chaffed more over the de-
| lay and inactivity than those who have
been cruising in Cuban waters since
the war began. But if Commodore
Schley has really got the Spanish fleet
at Santiago de Cuba, it is almost as
complete victory as could have been
expected from a naval engagement.
The Spaniards' policy was to avoid an
encounter, and it would have been diff
flcult for any division of Rear Admiral
SIMPSONS fleet to have overhauled or
| oope"iou 'HoH. but HOW, III lney are
bottled up in Santiago de Cuba and
baff1ed at their own game, the future
seems bright and all that is now waited
for is the order to prepare to protect
the landing of our military forces m
Cuba.
| Since Rear Admiral SIMPSONS
squadron left Key West, an intensely
close watch has been kept for the
Spanish fleet, in spite Of the belief
that 1t was at the south Of Cuba
| Several false alarms have been given
the men on the lookout in the tops be-
Ing so anxious to catch sight of the
Spanlards that they would see five
columns of smoke where only one
was really discernible, and that the
smoke of one of Rear Admiral Samn-
sons own boats. The tension was
naturally great This was not caused
! by any feeling of doubt as to the re-
suit of naval engagement, for Rear
Admiral SIMPSONS fleet has been so
| SNeA'N oAAANS IL iCIt IAcy west Cn2t the
Spaniards would have been completely
annihilated if they had courted fight.
The fleet as at present constituted
without Commodore Schley's COM
mand. and without the ships actually
engaged in the blockade, forms the
most powerful squadron ever gotten
together by the United States navy.
Then, again, Commodore Schleys
ships are fully able to defeat the
| Spanish force under Admiral Cervera
| even under conditions favorable to
| the enemy, a state of things which is
| thought to exist at Santiago de Cuba
1t would Be mere pastime for the
i Massachusetts, Texas and Iowa to
sink the Vizcaya, Almirante Oquendo,
Cristobal Colon and Marie Teresa If
they attempted to fight out OF the
harbor.