The news & observer., 1898-05-21
FIGHT EXPECTED HOURLY
THE SPANISH FLEET AT SANTI
AGO DE CUBA.
AMERICAN WAR vfssELsLEAvE KEY WEST
No knowledge of Their Destination Arms
and Ammunition Discovered in a Secret
Chamber Of the Captured
Prize Argonauta.
Prize Argonauta.

Key West, May 20-The prologue
has been spoken; and the curtain i:
about to rise on the first act of tho
drama. This is the unwavering opinion
of naval men here. Dewey's brilliant
achievement at Manila is regarded as q
separate episode. San Juan is already
a memory; and the sporadic encounters
along the Cuban coast are accepted as
merely preliminary skirmishes, tenta-
tive rather than decisive. The meeting
of two great hostile fleets is the pivot
upon which the situation turns; and that
few days, perhaps hours, will bring
them together is the universal view here
IT the base of operations. This view
is confirmed by the news that Admiral
Cerveras' squadron has reached SANTA
20 de Cuba The intelligence came TO-
day and if it did not affect the situation
it was a singular coincidence that actiyi-
ty among our ships was perceptibly
heightened and the work of coaling and
provisioning those in the harbor was
rushed with more than usual haste.
The ships were surreptitiously creeping
toward the open sea as the day waned
the ranks of naval men ashore We're CON
stantiy thinning, until at dusk
there was scarcely one to be seen. The
newspaper despatch boats have nearls
all departed with particular care not to
lose sight Of the United States war
ships
'rhe center of interest again shifts
away from Key West; but whittier is the
question none can answer. Otherwise
the day has been dull and empty Of ac-
tion. Some little stir was created by the
discovery of secret chamber in the
hold of the Spanish prize steamer Argo
nauta, containing fifteen cases Of ammu-
milton. over a hundred Manser rifles and
other war stores The find was made
by the United States marshal's officers
an ddissipates all doubt as TO the Argo-
nauta's status as a prize of war.
The Argonauta was taken three weeks
ago by the United States gnnboat Nash
vile off Cienfuegos. On board were
Conyicente Cortijo, said to be a brother.
in-law of Lieutenant General Naleriano
Weyler, and twenty-eight Spanish sol
diers, now in Fort Mcpherson. rs well
as mail matter and dispatches for Gen.
Blanco and other Spanish officials in
Cuba.
The reports that several new Spanish
prizes were being brought in to-day are
unfounded The only new arrival of
this character was the Barkentine Car
los f. Rosas the story of whose capture
last Tuesday has already been told. She
was brought in here by a prize crew and
anchored along with the other prizes, in
the harbor. The discovery of the war
supplies on the Argonauta will NOT
change the status Of her case before
The prize court, as it had already been
decided to-day before learning of the
find, that the steamer was legitimately
"A prize of war, no claims having been
made by the owners Of the ship or
cargo.
A like decision was rendered in the
cases of the steamer Ambrosia Bolivar
and the schooners Candidita. Mathilda
and Sophia. The only formality remain.
ing to make these vessels the absolute
property Of the United States is the con
frmation by the Federal court anthori.
ties OF the findings Of the prize commits.
sion.
The cases of the Buena Ventura, the
first capture Of the war, and the Pedro
Catalina. Miguel Joye, Panama and
Guido, all large and valuable steamers
win have to be tried in regular form by
the United States court, claims having
been filed by the owners Of the ships and
cargOes.