The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-05-14

Special Dispatch to the Post-Intelligencer.
WASHINGTON. May 1s---Contrary to
general belief this government has not
been caught mapping by Spain. The where
ahouts of the Cape Verde feet was known
to the navy department yesterday. but it
was not deemed advisable TO make it pub
lie. The flying squadron win meet Spains
fleet In Cuban waters. while Capt. Samp-
son will follow, when satisfied by his
scouts, the Harvard and Yale. that 1t 10
not coming to Porto Rico. Tricky Spain
will find herself In trap II she proceeds
to Havana. with our powerful souadrons
at her bow and stern. Naval men say
they cannot see how tho greatest set fight
tho world has ever known can be avoided
more than few days at the farthest. The
postponement of sending troops to Cuba Is
merely a return to the original plan OF
destroying the Spanish feet before at
tempting the capture OF Havana.
The president said tonight that between
Schley in the Cuban waters and sampson
In the West Indies. 1t was certain the
Snanish cannot avoid a battle. The wis
dom OF holding our flying squadron ~
Hampton Roads Is now apparent.
ALLAN II. SLAUSON.
~. s..ni.h suuadron Located.
WASHINGTON. May 13.-The statement
given out by the naval department this
morning that the Spanish fleet Is now to
the westward of Martinique did not say
what time the dispatch was sent. 1t Is
said the Spanish squadron has been lying
in wait for the Oregon. which with the
Marietta and N.ctheroy sailed on the llih
from Bahai The reported activity OK the
Spanish torpedo boat destroyers IN rum
ming in and out of Martinique seemed TO
show they are being used as scouts to give
the rest of the squadron notice OF the ap-
proach of the American batt.eships. lf so,
the mission will be fruitless, for, having
discovered the whereabouts OF the Span
ish force, Sampson win carry out his or
ders to destroy their ships IL he can reach
them. The fact that the Spaniards were
headed yesterday towards the westward on
the surface would Indicate they were bound
for the south coast OF Cuba, but warships
in these circumstances. try to mislead OBJ
servers on shore. AS they stand now. the
two fleets are about 500 miles apart. which
by fast sailing, both fleets would cover in
one day. Sailing one feet would bring
them together in two days. IL the other re-
mained stationary. The Spanish squadron
is made up Of seven first-class ships. OF
which four are armored cruisers and three
destroyers. This is as near the exact
strength as can be stated. for reports from
Cape Verde have caused much doubt.
The seven warships are OF formidable d.
mensions. including the armored cruisers
yizcaya, Almirante oauendo. Infanta Ma
rie Teresa ard chrIstobai Coon. The Ter
ror and Furor are torpedo boat destroyers
lately added TO the Spanish navy. having
been built a, Clyde in 1896.
How tie sauadrons Contrast.
WASHINGTON. May is.-considerab,e
speculation has been indulged in today at
the navy department as TO the prospects
OF a sea fight between Admiral samp-
sons squadron and the Spanish Cape
Verde feet. 1t is believed that he will be
able to intercept them should they make
a dash for Cuba, but II they should get
past his vessels. they would make It warm
for our ships on blockade duty or Glen
fuegos on the south coast. They could
not stand for a moment against the big
Spanish armored cruisers. and yet are not
fleet enough to escape IL they are sighted.
Should Sampson sight the Spanish feet,
IL is not certain that hs could engage
them. provided the Spanish admiral found
II to his interest 30 decline the engage
meut. The Spanish ships are faster than
ANYTHING In the American squadron, with
the possible exception OF the New York
II Sampson should fall In with him, how
ever. and aad the Spanlards in .ightsng
humor. he would .have the best OF IL as
simple calculation Of the respective num-
Der OF arnored ships and guns The big
baftiesa.ps Indiana and Iowa. though e
per cent. slower than the yizcaya class,
far oyermateh them in offensive ard de-
fensive powers. Their armor belts ard
turrets could not De pierced at fighting
range OF e,ese yards sy fhe biggest gun
mounted ~ The soansafdE. while the Ie
ard l3-lnea guns OF our bastiesfipS cou-d
perforate the Spanish arusor belts.
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