New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-06-02
SCHLEY'S OBJECT GAINED.
GOOD WORK DONE AT SANTIAGO.
WEAKNESS OF THE LAND BATTERIES
DEMONSTRATED
THE COMMODORE WILL PROBABLY BLOCK
THE CHANNEL AND WAIT FOR THE
ARRIVAL OF TROOPS


Washington, June 1.-Commodore Schey's
reconnaissance before Santiago Bay, as far
it's result is known to the authorities here, fully
confirms the impression of General Miles and
the other military and naval officials last week
that from the moment Cervera's squadron en-
tered the harbor the cooperation Of American
land and sea forces would become imperatively
necessary in the conduct Of an effective cam
paign against him, unless he undertook TO force
his way out Of the trap before he was sur
rounded and overwhelmed 1t is true that Conn.,
modore Schleys exchange of shots with tho
shore batteries has demonstrated that they
were weak affairs at best. but it is not believed
that ne would attempt to send his ships in single
file up the narrow, .tortuous channel perhaps
thoroughly mined. in order to destroy the Span
ish cruisers when that result may be readily ac-
compllshed with infinitely less hazard.
LIKELY TO BLOCK THE CHANNEL.
Having satisfied himself Of the impotency Of
the land fortifcations. it is considered probable
that he will now block the channel by sinking
one or more worthless hulks at the entrance.
vantage he gained yesterday in the utter de-
moralizaton Of the Spanish land forces is taken
as an indication that he had this object ulti-
nlately in view for the naval authorities had
informed him that vessels TO be used as OBJ
structions were already on the way TO him. and
should arrive in a day or two at the latest
In the absence Of an extended official report
from the Commodore It appears to he the con-
sensus of opinion among the higher naval off,
cals in the Department that the American nre
was drawn on tho entrance to Santiago Bay by
the Crfstotal Colon or Of the other Spanish
cruisers, mistaken readily for her. appearing at
the mouth Of the channel with the evident In
tention Of putting to or Of testing the watch
fulness OF the bockaders. The result must have
been altogether unsatisfactory to the Spaniards.
for II they should attempt to force their way
out Of the trap. either at night or by day. they
would have lost the advantage OF assistance
from the forts and have enabled the blockadng
force 10 lie closer 10 the shore. Under these cir
cumstances. IT is hardly thought possible that
they will venture on an aggressive movement.
hut will rather remain at anchor in the upper
harbor trusting TO the scattering Of Commodore
schlcy's vessels by the terrific hurricanes which
are to be anticipated on the Cuban coast at this
season Of the year The knowledge Of this dan
ger the most dreaded ~ the tropics. will prob
ably hasten the placing of distractions 10 navi.
CATION in the channel at Santiago IN order that
the eeress Of the Spaniards may he completely
blocked should the American feet be forced to
seek shelter at Mole ST Nicolas, which is the
nearest harbor of any security
THE TROOPS MAY HAVE STARTED.
The approach Of the cyclone season and the
necessity for speedily relieving Commodore
Schey OF his vigil are Of ncalcuable Importance
in their effect the military invasion. as It will
he impossible to land troops at the most con-
venient coast point in stormy weather. Whether
all the military force with which 1t is proposed
to invest Santiago has left Tampa or not Army
officials at Washington declare frankly they 60
not know and with the rigid censorship now
exercised at Southern ports, which effectually
checks the dissemination Of the desired infor-
nation. IT is impossible to speak with certainty.
Secretary Alger has admitted to the members Of
Congress who control appropriations that an
immediate invasion had been ordered. and that
operations in Porto Rico would promptly follow.
The orders which were teegraphed TO General
Shafter last Sunday have been dvulged by tho
President to one except Secretaries Ager and
Long and Generals Miles and Corbin. and it 10
extremely unlikely that these officials would
abuse the confidence reposed in them. 1t is not
necessary that any other Government officials
should be informed Of such affairs. as they are
charged only with sending supplies forward to
Tampa. when their jurisdiction and interest are
supposed to end.
TRANSPORTS LOADED SOME TIME AGO.
II is known that most OF the pioneer force,
including the siege-gun trains. the engineer de-
tachment and a good force OF cavalry and
artillery. could have passed beyond Key West
by this time without any one ashore having
been the wiser The guns and engineer imple-
ments have been loaded on the transports for
several weeks. and the men to handle them
have not been near the general camps. Several
infantry and cavalry transports were ready for
departure last Saturday. and II these vessels
have not slipped away 1t is difficult to explain
why they were loaded long ago. The Pam
ther with nearly eight hundred marines aboard.
under Lieutenant Colonel Huntington. has been
under steam at Key West for fully three weekA
and with this nucleus. reinforced by Calxto
Garcia's army OF insurgents, who have long con-
trolled Santiago Province so formidable a force
would be assembled as to prevent any aggres-
sIye movement from the little body OF Spaniards
,r IL captiac (sity