The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1898-05-04
At TACK WAS Z
SMALL AFFAIR
Fleet Off Cuba Made No Effort
to Reduce the Matanzas
Fortifications.
BUT SOUNDING BATTERIES
Sampson Only Wanted to Ascertain
the Strength Of the Spaniards.
Likely to Open Fire In
Earnest Later.

WASHINGTON, April 2S.-Intense in
terest was shown at the navy depart
ment today in the published reports
from OH board the flagship New York
and from Key West of the engagement
a. Matanzas yesterday noon between
the shore batteries and three vessels of
Admiral Sampson fleet.
The navy department itself had abso-
lutely no report from any Of its agents
or any of the officers of the blockading
feet of this affair. 1t, Of course, could
not be expected that news would be had
from Havana, with Spanish censor
manning the end of the cable there.
The fact that Admiral Sampson has
not made any report to the secretary as
yet, Notwithstanding he must have had
the saline opportunity to communicate
with Key West as was enjoyed by the
press, leads the officials Of the depart
ment to believe that the affair was not
of great consequence. Indeed they say
it is inconceivah'e that any very exten-
sive damage could lave been inflicted
upon properly placed batteries at the
distance reported, varying from 21a to
miles, in the short space Of Is minutes,
during which, it is said, the engage.
ment lasted.
A member Of the strategy board, who
is of course thoroughly conversant with
the plans Of Admiral Sampson, so far as
they have been genera!iZed, is authority
g., ~, hot ha n
no intention whatever at this time to
lombard the MatanZas battery. To do
so now would be bad strategy and OF
little avail, for in the absence OF any
landing force the admiral would be un.
prepared to take advantage Of the vic
tory he might gain through a reduction
of the forts and the Spaniards might
have ample opportunity over night to
repair in a large measure the damage
inflicted Gil their Notifications.
1t is stated positively that Admiral
Sampson purpose was simply to ascer-
tain if any sho. batteries existed at
Matanzas and il so to draw their fire
and ascertain their character, and then
to retire beyond range. In other words,
it was simply naval reconnaissance. III
the event that during his observations
tie admiral discovered that the new de.
fenscs We're under construction on shore
be would, it is said, of course, not lose
the opportunity TO clipple them by
throwing few shells into the earth
works and endeayoring to knock over q
gun or two.
It is the general belief at tho de-
partmcnt. however, that Matanzas 10
to be soon reduced and made base OF
operations in the campaign against
Havana.
1t is also the presidents purpose to
keep in mind throughout the war rhe
awful condition of the reconcentrados,
who arc most numerous i'll and around
MatanZas. Unless relief is extended to
them they undoubtedly will perish dur
ing the progress of a long drawn out
war.
The reported seizure hy the Spanish
military authorities at MatanZas OF
stores contributed by Americans and
held III trust there for the relief OF these
poor sufferers is regarded rs clear i'll
dication that cvcn il the Rcd Cross
steamer Texas is permitted to land her
cargo of supplies at Matanzas under e1-
isting conditions the food will not reach
the reconcentraGos, but will only go to
support the Spanish garrison IN their
resistance.
Therefore, it is believed, tlat the
president contcmplatcs the early seizure
Of Matanzas, not only because Of its
military Importance. but in order that
he may from there hold out helping
hand to the starving peasan;ry. 1t Is
likely, therefore, that while there was
nothing Of the nature of general en-
gagement il Admiral SIMPSONS recon-
Nuisance of yesterday he will soon take
steps to begin heavier and Livery bom-
bardmeut of MatanZaS.