The herald., 1898-05-10

seem to indicate that the admiral, having
failed to find the enemy at the place indi-
Gated, had turned his attention to the al
tentative project. What this is cannot be
ascertained. 1t is evident, however, that
the department is under no apprehension
as to the safety of the American fleet nor of
any vessel of the fleet.
1t is now officially admitted that Admiral
Sampson was yesterday with his fleet near
Cape Haytien, on the north coast Of Santo
Domingo, and distant about days run
from Porto Rico. Today no reports have
come to the department of any "lurid en-
gagements' that are said to have taken
place in those waters. but 1t is said at the
department that II there was gun-firing
yesterday and the day before, as reported
by merchant vessels, 1t was probably
caused by some of the United States YES
sells chasing either prizes or the small
Spanish gunboats that are believed to be
cruising around in those waters. 1t Is not
believed that there has been any engage
ment between Admiral SIMPSONS forces
and the Spanish ironclad flying squadron,
else reports would have been received at
the department. Expectation Is manifest
at the navy department that something
important Is to happen soon. 1t is sur
missed that II Sampson does not strike the
Spanish flying squadron he may strike a
blow at Porto Rico itself. 1t Is curious
fact that thus far the navy department
does not know positively where the Span
ish feet 10, and it Is just possible that the
vessels may be over on the other side Of
the Atlantic, or at Cadiz instead of being
in SIMPSONS neighborhood in the west
Indies. That such thing can happen is
plainly shown by the report from st.
Thomas that the Spanish cruiser Alfonso
XIII arrived at Porto Rico yesterday or
the day before. This Is formidable pro-
tected cruiser of aaodvrn type, and 1t had
been supposed all along that she was at
Cadiz, Spain, forming part of the home
defense squadron.
The fact that she had arrived at Porto
Rico without knowledge of her departure
having leaked out is an evidence that the
Spanish authorities are able to guard the
secrecy Of their naval movements much
better than our own people are able to do.
Word came to the navy department to-
day that the cable had been cut between
Montevideo and Rio Grande do Sui. thus
cutting Off all communication along the
east coast Of South America below the
first and last named points in the south of
Brazil. If this were not an accident it
would be hard to guess at the purpose, the
Oregon having passed far north Of the
break. 1t is just possible that Spanish
emissaries have cut the cable to conceal
some naval demonstration or movements
of Spanish ships in that quarter Of the
world
A Spanish Cruiser
ST. THOMAS, West Indies, May 9.-The
Spanish cruiser Isabel II, an ironclad of
113O tons displacement and carrying a
crew of about 1870 men, arrived here at 6
o'clock this morning. Her commander
communicated with the Spanish Consul at
this port and the cruiser cleared immed-
lately, destination unknown. No news has
been received here Of any engagement yes
terday.
The Report Doubted
NEW YORK, May 9.-In response to
urgent appeals from Cuban and foreign
residents at Cienfuegos. Consul Dent has
succeeded in inducing the agent of the
Atlas Company to allow the steamer Adula
to proceed thither to rescue them, says the
Worlds correspondent at Kingston, ia
maica.
Similar appeals are being received from
Santiago and Manzanillo, whittier two
large sailing vessels have gone.
The urgency Of the appeals indicates that