The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-05-21

KEY WEST FLA. May 2o.-The pro-
losus has been spoken and the curtain is
about TO rise CON tho FIRST act OF the
drama This is the mwaycrins opinion
~ naval mon here. D-wcys brilliant
achievement at Ma1ua is regarded as a
separate episode. San Juan is already a
memory and the sporadic encounters
alon1 the cuban coast are accepted as
merely preliminary sNmishes. tentative
rather than decisive.
The meeting of the two great hostile
fleets is the pivot upon which the situa-
ZION turns and that few days, perhaps
hours. will briug them together is the
universal opinion here. This view is con-
rrmod by the news that Admiral Ger
veras squadron has reached Santiago de
Suba The intelligence came to-day, ana
81 lt did not affect the situation IL was
singular coincidence that activity among
our ships was percepuby heightened anu
the work of Coalns and provisioning
those in the harbor was pushed Win
more than usual haste
SHIPS on THE MOVE.
The ships We're surreptuousiy creep
iug toward the open sea as lhe u"s
v-aned and the ranks of naval men
..sto,. wore constantly thinning until
~, dusk there WIS scarcely one 10 pe
s,er Tho newspaper dispatch boats nave
nearly aU departed with particular care
,ot fo lose sight of the United states
-rbo center of interest again shifts away
from Key West. but wither SIS the ques-
rion none can answer Otherwise lhe gay
has been dun and empty of action. 9oInC
ii,tle Stir was created boy the discovery or
"a secret chamber in the hold OF the span
ish prize steamer Argonauta containing
ffteen cases of ammunition. over "a nun
dre5 Mau-er rifles and other war stores.
r,he "fnd' was mude by the United
States narshars officers. and dissipaled
an doubts ass 90 the Argonauta as prize
OF war.
Tb. Areonauta was taken three weeks
ago bv the United States gunOoat Nash-
Vile OH Cienfuegos. ON board were COZ.
Vicente Cortiio. said 90 Doe brother-ln-
law of Lieutenant General Nalero Wey-
ler. and tweniy-eisht Spanish soldiers,
now iu Fort Mcpherson. as well as mail
matter and dispatches for General Blan-
60 and other Spanish officials in Cuba.
ONLY ONE PRIZE.
The reports that several new Spanish
prizes were being brought In to-day are
unfounded The only new arrival of TINS
character was the barkeutine Carlos T..
Rosas. the story of whose capture last
Tuesday has already been told She was
brought in here boy a prize crew and an
chorcd along with the other prizes IN the
harbor.
The discovery OF the war supplies on
the Argonauta will not change the status
Of her case before the prize court as u
had already been decided to-day before
learning of the find. that the steamer
was lcgitlmatcly "a prize OF war, no
claims having been filed by the owners
OF the ship or cargo
Ike decision was rendered in the
cases OF the steamer Ambrosio Bolivar
and The schOOners Candidita, Mathilda
and Sophia.
these vessels the absolute property Of the
United States is the confirmation by the
J-ederal Court authorities OF the findings
OF the Prize Commission.
Tbe cases of the Buena Ventura. the
first capture OF the war and the Pedro.
Catalina. Miguel Jover Panama ana
Guido. an large and valuable steamers.
will have 10 be tried IN regular form by
the United States Court claims having
been filed by the owners Of the ships and
cargoes. 800,
WASHINGTON. d. c. May 20
nrobable combination Of Sampson
ana scheys squadrons at or near Key
West makes II altogether reasonable
that within three days the spanish fleet
which Is reported 20 have arrived IN
Santiago de cuba. WI be met m battle.
All the armorclads OF the United States
Navy are now az Sampson disposal.
provided the oregon has reached ms
feet. as there IS good reason 20 believe
she has ~ % rs true that the spanish
feet II in Santiago IL means. probably
that our armOrclads will be divided INTO
two squadrOns 10 encompass the island
and capture the Spaniards From hey
West 70 Santiago. going along the north
ern side OF Cuba. Is about 800 miles. Co
inF BY the southern side u Is about 300
FOR The combat which Is about 10 an
euo there will probably be no need OF
taking tho monitors along and The ar