Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1898-05-19

battle within twenty-four hours is
considered promising.
St Thomas. Danish West Indies.
May 1s.-1'hc Spanish squadron was
not at San Juan dc Porto Rico when
the steamer Rodriguez left there Tues
day and there has been no intimation
received here Of its subsequent ar
rival.
MAY BE sPANIARDs.
New York. May ia dispatch to
the World from Kingston, jamaica
says: A telegram from Port Mournnt,
dated at o'clock May 49, states that
the lighthouse keeper at Morant Point,
on the extreme east end of jamaica
ships. apparently warships, were pass
ing.
They We're going northward at ire
mendous rate of speed, heading In the
direction Of Santiago de cuba.
Their nationality was not ascer-
tanned.
SURE TO CATCH CERVERA.
New York. May ia dispatch to
the Times from Washington says: Ad-
miral Sampson is now, It is said in u
position to be regularly and frequently
Informed of the approach of the enemy,
and the Spanish admiral is now, OF
will be. cut off and unable to turn in
any direction with safety.
I'VE are bound to come TN with
him." said prominent naval officer
today, unless he decides to run for our
coast But that win only defer the
inevitable meeting for few days. This
longer he runs and lodges. the shorter
becomes his supply OF fuel. Once that
is exhausted he has no place to
which he can resort for supplies. ex-
cept San Juan or Havana.
''JIp may select aitbar mort he urp.
feis. If II be Puerto Rico, Sampson
would return and resume the lombard
ment. | do not, however, believe Adj
miral Cervera win permit his fleet to
be bottled up in II harbor and shelled
whore II cannot maneuvrr.
THAT would condemn him for I'M
seamanllke conduct and for criminal
waste OF the powder of his fleet"
Few officers consider the suggestion
of a dash for the coast of the United
States as one of the probabilities, II
that We're 10 be undertaken. 1t would
be by vessels not in the squadron now
in the Caribbean The danger from
that source is regarded as very slight.
If the squadron is proceeding by II
northern route, 1t cannot avoid being
seen by vessels bound east along the
usual routes. If It is travelling by n
southern route out OF the usual lane
the scouts of the United states navy
are almost certain to sight it. Charles
ton, Chesapeake Bay. Philadelphia,
New York, Boston and Portland are
considered by the navy department Of
ficials and by ordinary officers of the
war department quite safe against
| Spanish exploit.
sCARY NEW ENGLANDERs.
The navy department people have
| ceased to pay any attention to inquiries
concerning the many Spanish fleets
| daily reported as having been seen NJ
! widely separated points of the COM
pass and will no longer venture TO
| extend comforting assurances to those
| who cannot avoid concern at every
| fresh report of a Spanish fleet. But a
little amusement and some indignation
is expressed ut the altogether uncalled
| for nervousness manifested by citizens
| OF Boston and other eastern cities who
| called for protection from the navy
| and who succeeded in dctachinE on
useless scouting service the Columbia
| and the Minneapolis.
The officers of those vessels have
| been heard from here and they com
| slider that they were unnecessarily de-
| prived by useless scouting service
from going southwark, and were ex-
posed to the jeeIs of their comrades
| merely TO quiet the anxieties of persons
| quite needlessly alarmed.
The war will. 1t is believed by those
| who are acquainted withe the program
| of the naval authorities and the condi-
ton of the Spaniards In Cuba, be short
IL the fleet of Admiral Sampson and
| that of Spain can be brought together
soon. The navy department does not
look for any access Of energy In the
| Spanish navy. IT Is considered that
the demoralized condition of Spain pre-
| cludes renewed war activity.