The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-05-18
MANY RUMORS.
But NOTHING DEFINITE CONCERN
ING THE GREAT FLEETS.
Navy Department Seemingly Does Not
Know Where Admiral Sampson and
Commodore SchIey Are.
SPANIARDS ALSO MISSING
NOTHING HEARD FROM THE ARMA-
DA SINCE SUNDAY EVENING.
None of the American Ships, 1t Is
Thought, VIII Be Sent in Search
of the Mysterious Enemy.
WILL KEEP WATCH ON CUBA
READY TO GIVE BATTLE If ADMI-
RAJ CERVERA APPEARS.
Samples of the RumOrs i'm Circulation
Throughout the West Indies
Strict Cable Embargo.
None of the American Ships, 1t Is
Thought, VIII Be Sent in Search
of the Mysterious Enemy.
WILL KEEP WATCH ON CUBA
READY TO GIVE BATTLE If ADMI-
RAJ CERVERA APPEARS.
Samples of the RumOrs i'm Circulation
Throughout the West Indies
Strict Cable Embargo.
Associated Press Dispatch.

Associated Press Dispatch.
WASHINGTON, May 1.-THE official bull
letin boards to-day failed to yield any news
of the movements of either of the three
feets-Sampson's, Schleys and the Spanish
flying squadron-and there is reason to be-
lieve that the department itself has received
no information on that point The depart
ment officials are beginning to show a little
senstiveness to criticism in the matter of
delay in bringing the Spanish fleet into ac-
ton, conscious as they are they have made
all dispatch compatible with due regard for
the safety of our own ports as well as of the
lives of the crews of our war ships. Every
day there is talk of change in the naval
plans, brought about by some movement of
the Spanish squadron, but what the latest
phase of the campaign is nobody outside of
the members of the war board is competent
to say.
The general impression to-day is that no
particular effort is to be made just now to
pursue the Spaniards SO long as they keep
within the confines of the Gulf of Mexico
and the Caribbean sea, but that Sampson
and Schley, in combination will encircle the
Island of Cuba maintain the blockade and
convoy troops across the Florida straits, if
necessary, meantime simply keeping
watch on the Spanish flying squadron to see
that it does not do mischief either to the
American fleet or, by escaping into the At
Iantic, to the seaboard cities. BY this plan
the military and naval officials might hope
to silence the rather severe criticisms that
are being expressed because of delays in
opening the military campaign in Cuba it
self. Considerable pressure has come upon
the administration from congressional quar-
ters to have the campaign FASTENED, and
there are thought to be signs of a resump-
tion of the plans of the military leaders for
the invasion of Cuba at the point where
they were suddenly suspended by the an
nouncement of the arrival of the Spanish
flying squadron at Martinique. One sign
of this was the inclusion in the regular
army orders of direction to Captain Alger
to go to Tampa to join General Miles. AT
army headquarters there was no sign of i'm
mediate departure, but, after all, in view
of the fact that three times, at least, every
thing has been prepared for a movement
to Tampa, it may be presumed that every
thing is in train for departure at short no
tice without open manifestation of prepara-
tions