Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-05-27
COMMODORE SCHLEv :
Is at Santiago, Serving as Stopp tor the
Bottle in w hich Cervera Finds His Fleet
VIII Be Left to Work Out the Problem

ver West, Fla, May 26.-The
.r,meuts Of the American yes
III. under the three squadron COM
,odsrs. beyond the generally ac-
csn,el fact that Commodore
c.tievs squadron is now in the
,icinity Of Santiago de Cuba, at
.,o eastern end of the island, while
r.. bockading squadron under
commodore Watson is thought to
m duty along the western and
,orthern coast Of the island, are
.cw shrouded with uncertainty.
The composition of the three
sonadrcns has been changed, but
+be evac, complement and names Of
,be ships under each command is
moi Deymitted, for strategic rea-
sons. TO be telegraphed.
Concerning the statement that
Admiral Cervera ships are bot
tied nh at Santiago de Cuba, it has
been accepted that Commodore
scbIev could maintain the block
AIDE Of the harbor there and ami
bilate the Spanish fleet if it is
found outside. The fact that Com
modore Schley is now thought to
he outside of Santiago de Cuba has
given free rein to Rear Admiral
SAMPSON. who is known to be in
the bahama channel. His known
Dprpose was to intercept the Span
ish feet if it attempted to reach
Havana. With Commodore Schley
ar Santiago de Cuba, Rear Ad-
miral Sampson would be in the
position to proceed eastward and
effect a junction Of the two pow
erful squadrons, or return to Ha-
yana to resume operations in that
vicinity. 1t is now accepted as a
fact that Commodore Schley is to
be permitted to work out the
problem off Santiago de Cuba.
Washington. D. c., May 26.-The
naval authorities have advanced
another stage in their calculations
Oh the status of Admiral Cervera's
feet at Santiago de Cuba. They
net only have good reasons to be-
lave that he is bottled up, but
as an officer expressed it to-day,
the cork is in the bottle, and 1t
IS practically impossible for the
feet to make an exit from the mar
Dor day or night. 1t is felt that
this condition of the Spanish fleet
is not only important from the
present strategic standpoint, but or
m0mentous concern to the entire
future of the war, as the Gripping
Of this most effective naval force
that Spain possesses will leave her
sucl scant naval resources as TO
make a prolongation OF the war
improbable.
hat Admiral Cervera went to
Santiago and is still there contin-
ues to be the view taken by the
Navy Department. At the same
Tine it can now be stated that not
word has been received from
either Admiral Sampson or Com
modore Schley in official confrma-
ton of the existence of this trap.
/, rests now as it did two days
ago, on a semi report COM
ing 10 the Navy Department from
a source believed to be reliable. 1t
was not a naval source, nor one
connected with the State Depart
ment; neither did it come from
press advices. 1t was from parties
having relations with the Navy
Department and in a position to be
accurately advised. The naval au-
thorites were extremely anxious to
secure an official confirmation from
one OF the American commanders,
and had this been received it would
nave been made public at once.
hut lacking this, the department
save 10 the public all it telt war
.@uteQ IN giving from tle facts at
AdId' namely, an expression of be-
net mat the Spanish feet was in
'ahtlago narbor. This has been
.e'h1oEced by the negative fact that
'At Meet has been seen at no otner
point and also by cumulative evil
1t"ce from London and else
Were. Still tie word from Samp-
Son and Schley is being most
suAlously awaited.
-, Naval officers are now turning
,'14 attention to inquiries whether
Is possible fer Admiral Cervera
se' out of Santiago harbor. They
- -.5 mat this manoeuvre is impos-
eve ana that being so, the career
- 'ile spanish admiral is at an end,
lar as 1t constitutes a menace
csa.nSl cur ships. The British
1I [.Hil'eht that Admiral Horribly, in
t to'o, escaped with his entire fleet
5,.; 'I d harbor, under similar cen
sba 'DHS' and that Admiral Cervera
T ieeDu De able to make his escape
ac re,- Ae gets ready to do so, is not
hl. yea. The naval view here is
5s. 'Ae contrary. 1t is pointed out
,~'' Admiral Horribly escaped from
r". open bay. while Admiral Ger
-@ must come through narrow
ei1'''leI about 800 yards wide. on
vi; 1i'A the American searchlights
NH M. pay constantly. 1t is said that
naS.i Is not mere opinion, but that
Ar p uIanGeuvres were carried on
mon NY West and Tortugas a few
,ira '"S ago which furnish a posi-
Car demonstration that Admiral
on, I'a cannot make an exit with
HElug 0iSpnUnrod oA,oo,