The times., 1898-06-03
WAITING FOR THE Dat TIE
Naval Officials Expecting Impor-
tant News From Santiago.
SAMPSON DUE IN SANTIAGO
No News Yet Received Mt the De-
partment From SchIey-Forfifica-
Troops Arrive BIanco's Report
Creates Amusement.

There was much talk in the Navy De-
partment yesterday and last night of the
date of the second battle of Santiago"
There were rumors about that there had
been an engagement yesterday in which
both SIMPSONS and Schley's ships
took part. An officer Of the Navi-
cation Bureau said to a Times re-
porter late last night that if there
was a battle yesterday the newspa-
pers were two battles ahead of the de-
partment. 1t is positively stated that the
department has not had word from
Commodore Schley or Admiral Sampson
since Sunday or before the date of the
first engagement at Santiago.
The department people, however be-
Heve that there will be battle now with
in very few hours, If 1t has not already
been fought. 1t is definitely ascertained
that Admiral Sampson is due in Santiago
and that bombardment of the fortifica-
tions is scheduled for the day Of his ar
rival or the day after. The arrange
ment is that the transports will be at
Santiago before the end Of the week IL
there is no hitch in the program When
the transports loaded with troops arrive
at the landing place, probably Guanta-
namo, it is hoped that the outer forti-
fications viii be helpless and in ruins.
There is but one opinion as to the re-
suit of the battle. The only pos
sible difference in ideas is as TO the
extent of the victory for Ameri-
ca. The fleets Of Sampson and
Schley combined are so far super
iOr to that of Cervera that he can
not possibly escape annihiIation or the
worse fate OF falling into the hands of
America. 1t is hoped and even believed
that the loss to the American fleet will
not be large. 1t is thought that the land-
ling force of the Americans will have
little trouble in dislodging the Spaniards
from the hills in the rear of the town.
but here there can hardly be a bIoodless
victory.
The Blanco tale that Cervera has left
Santiago creates some amusement at the
Navy Department but no anxiety. There
has been no time since Commodore Schley
saw the ships of the fleet when there
have not been at least half a dozen men,
of-war outside of the harbor watching the
entrance The suggestion that when the
two torpedo boats made their dash out
and the Americans followed them, the re-
mainder of the Spanish fleet crept out on
the other side, can have no foundation
the department says. Only two or three
of the American ships followed the Span
ish torpedo boats. Blanco, it is said
probably made the report" up wholly
without foundation, even in probability
to keep the Spaniards of Havana and Ma
drid quiet for a few days longer
The ships that Sampson and Schley will
take If they can be captured whole or
comparatively are the Viscaya, the Girls
tobal Colon, the Infanta Maria Teresa,
and the Oquendo, four magnificent armor-
ed cruisers as fine as the New York and
the Brooklyn and two torpedo boat de-
stroyers. swifter and more formidable
than anything In the American Navy of
their class. These ships, with the other
acquisitions of the United States ships,
would make the United States Navy the
third in size and strength in the world
The department Is hoping with a great
hope that the fortunes of war will throw
them in its way.