The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-06-01

WASHINGTON, May S1.-Naval Off
cia1s absolutely discredit the news from
Cape Haytian to the effect that Com
modore Schley forced the entrance to
Santiago bay and engaged the Spanish
fleet in the harbor.
While no Official advicss have been
received from Commodore Schley since
the battle is reported to have occurred,
the naval officials declare with positive
ness that it is not only improbable, but
in the circumstances almost impossible
that an attempt should have been made
by the American commander to force
an entrance to the bay.
The latest official dispatches received
from Commodore Schley were contained
in a cablegram which came late this
afternoon, and in that the commodore
gives no indication Of an intention to
try to enter the harbor of Santiago.
While the contents of the dispatche
were not made public, the bulletin is
sued upon 1t by the navy department
indicates that Commodore Schley is still
endeavoring to determine just what
Spanish vessels are in the harbor. The
bulletin follows:
Commodore Schley's fleet has sight
ed another vessel of the Vizcaya class
In Santiago harbor."
The naval officers declare that Schley
would not endeavor to force his way
into the harbor in view Of the great
difficulties Of navigation which would
have to be surmounted in the effort.
The entrance to the harbor is channel
nearly quarters Of a mile in
length, and at one point only about a
hundred yards wide. While the chan
mel has plenty of water to float the
ships, it is tortuous and at places dan
gerous. At one point 1t twists sharply
to the left as vessel enters, and ma
val officers say that it might become
necessary at some stages of the tide
for a ship to come almost, If not quite,
to full stop as she made the turn.
Shore batteries line both sides of the
channel, and a vessel running it would
afford a target that not even Span
ish gunner could fail to hit.
LONDON, June 1.-The news of the
fighting at Santiago de Cuba has re-
vived the dwindling interest in the war.
1t is suggested that the Americans may
be bombarding the forts in order to
cover the laying of mines or the sink
ing Of hulks to block the channel.
Credence is given the report that Ad-
rniral Cervera tried to run the blockade
before the arrival Of Gen. Skaters ex-
pedftion. 1t is not believed that Com
modore Schley would venture to imi
ta To DaWpu,s fpat at Manila
Everything, so far as Spain is con-
cerned, is now held to depend on Ad-
miral Ca1mara's movements, and unless,
as is unlikely, he is able to display
mastery skill, it is evident that the
bold strategy of the Spaniards will only
result in the destruction of their feet
In detail. .tss.a .a .....
A second reserve squadron could not
be prepared for months, as the vessels
recently mentioned by the Madrid press
are all in backward state at Ferrol
Cadiz and Cartagena, except the Nu-
mancia, the Victoria and the Dona
Maria de Molina, which could be ready
in few weeks.
LONDON, June IA dispatch to the
Daily Mail from Kingston, dated Tues
day, says:
"a large American squadron, sup
posed to be Rear Admiral Sampson's,
was seen today off Port Antonio, on
the north coast Of jamaica, twenty
five miles northwest of Morant Point,
the eastern extremity of the island,
steaning westward"