Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-05-15

WASHINGTON, May Af-DNb"'NN VI"
,isi information reported TO the author-
e. late this afternoon that the Spanish
e. had been sighted off the Island OF
r-,,rscoa pronounced Curasoa), one OF
~. Dutch West Indias, lying off the
north coast of Venezuela
This information was regarded as OF
,5tol Importance. as it not only fixed the
..s,,,or of the enemy, but disclosed the
- of the Spanish Admiral TO elude
nsr,ir.l sampson's fleet and make his
-, through the Caribbean Sea, proba-
by 10 Cuba.
The Island OF Curacao was originally
enanish. and is peopled mainly by de-
,,sndauts of Spaniards. though it is now
one OF the Dutch possessions. The spa
,,sb Admirars course was also influenced
~ the fact that the French cable, start
ing from Caracas, Venezuela, touches at
ne Island OF Curacao; thence proceeding
r1rthward through the Caribbean 10
Haiti with spurs running east and west
Z, Porto Rico and Cuba. respectively.
The spanish commander is thus enabled
I, get in touch from Curacao with the
sranish authorities in Cuba and Porto
RICO. and through them directly with the
Spanish admiralty at Madrid.
NO IMMEDIATE FIGHT.
No immediate battle with Admiral
mpson's fleet is now expected, as the
gpaniards. it seems likely, nave succeed
81 I'm passing south of the American fleet
and ale now well to the westward OF 1t.
As the enemy is in reach of the cable,
the Navy Department regards it as of the
most vital concern that the exact where
tD0uts of the American ships should not
L. made known during the next few days.
thus far they have feit handicapped by
the fact that the Spanish Admiral knew
the whereabouts of our ships, while we
were in a state of doubt as TO the loca-
Ton Of his. The officials here regard 1t as
essential during the next few days to
reverse this condition, 50 that the Spa
rsh Admiral will be moving in the dark,
While our officers will be posted.
The department, doubtless, is informed
g. 70 the whereabouts of Admiral Samp-
ton's fleet, but IL does not see fit 90 give
any information on the subject, and the
same ngid silence prevails as to the
whereabouts Of Commodore Schley's squa-
eron. The game has reached such
critical stage that premature publication
Is TO the whereabouts OF our ships might
,ause inestimable loss and a failure Of
present plans.
THE OREGON SAFE.
In one respect the manoeuvre OF the
Spanish fleet is a relief to naval oiilclals
here. as il seems to assure the safety OF
the battleship Oregon. She is proceeding
from the north coast Of South America TO
,oin Admiral SIMPSONS fleet. and Is
somewhere in the neighborhood OF Maru-
r.uue. Had the Spanish squadron re-
NAMED at that point, there might nave
teen serious danger that the oregon
would be intercepted. Now, however she
= we'll out Of the way Of the Spaniards'
20 long as she follows the usual routes.
RLoCKADERS TO BE WARNED.
II is not to be supposed that the Navy
panartment. with a knowledge or the
Whereabouts of the Spanish fleet Is go
f,g 70 allow any Of its hard-worsed little
cruisers and gunboats engaged IN DOCK
,de duty on the Cuban coast TO fall VIC
Tins 10 the huge Spanish ironclads. Ihelr
commanders will be promptly advised OF
the approach OF the Spaniards, and II
nay be set down as sure that unless the
6epartment is satisfied that sampson OF
ecblev can head off and crush the
snaniards the american blockade vessels
will be given permission to take care i
Themselves and get out OF harms way
CUTTING OF CABLES.
The determined attack made by the
harblehead and other vessels on inc
ocean cables running seward from Gen
,usgos shows that the government hnds
&, necessary 10 cut off all communication
,.,vean cantain-General Blanco, at Ha-
Lana, and Spain, by cable.
WAR PREPARATIONS GO ON.
Tba war Department shows no sign OF
relaxation in its war preparations, but
appears 10 be making ready ior hos'ii'-
ties on the theory that they are TO iast
a long time. Thus bids were opened TO-
dsv for supplying the government with
large number of armor-piercing shells OF
the largest calibre, such as are used all
most entirely by coast-defence guns IN
attacking and repelllng heavily ironciao
Sims. Another transport was chartered
TODAY AZ Norfolk. indicating that the
yooyement OF the army in force upon
cuba is not to be long delayed else the
government would not go TO the needless
expense OF chartering the boat ihineo''
a,ely.
PHILIPPINE EXPEDITION.
prenarations for the expedition 10 the
Philippines also continue with nnaoa'eu
v.gor Some of the troops which are 10
30 on this expedition 10 the Islands are
already on their way TO San Francisco
and every efrort IS being made 70 nave
the others who have been ordered tnele
To proceed as rapidly as possible. IL IS
not believed. however. by the oillcials
here that the expedition can start INSIDE
Of a week.
SAMPSON AT PORTO PLATA.
~ late hour tonight officials OF 'he
Navy Department stated that they had
received no information Of Admiral samp-
son's feet beyond the Associated Press
dispatches announcing its arrival at
Porto Plata. Porto Plata is q small sea-
port on the north Dominican coast. Inc