The herald., 1898-05-28
FRENCH NAVAL EXPERTS.
SPECULATE ON SITUATION OF
CERVERA
LOCATION OF SPAIN'S FLEET
Is More Difficult to Determine Than
the Question Of His Defeat
When Found
Press Special Wire

Associated Press Special Wire
NEW YORK, May GA dispatch to the
Herald from Paris says:
Now that the presence of Admiral Ger
vera's squadron is the Bay of Santiago is
established, naval experts are busy study
ing the problem as to what will be the prob
able result in case he is attacked.
In general, Cervera is thought to have
scored a point and to have acted both pru-
IDENTIFY and nationally in shutting himself
up in the bay. Marc Landy, in the Figaro,
may be taken as representing the opinions
Of most of the naval officers here. He says
this morning:
Spain 81 only policy Is to prolong the war
without giving chance for decisive bat
tie until the odds for victory are all in her
favor. By taking refuge in the Bay of
Santiago, out of reach of the enemy's can
non, Cervera has carried out policy that
circumstances have rendered it imperative
for his country to follow, seeing that by
gaining time he enables junction to be
effected with the squadron now being fitted
out at Cadiz. By entering the
bay, Cervera Immediately immobi-
Lies part of the American squad
ron. He is completely sheltered in mag
nificent harbor where he can provision his
sh:2s, rest his crews and put the boilers and
his engines in good order He compels his
adversary to maintain strict blockade,
that is to say to be continually on the alert
In all weathers, to use his coal and wear
out his engines and boilers"
Finally he gave Admiral Camara time
to cross the Atlantic and to join forces
with him or attack another point, in which
case part of the forces blockading San
tiago will have to be called away.
M. Landy considers the possibility Of the
Americans trying to cut Cervera, but
that 1t is hardly likely 1t will be attempt
ed. The sum total of his opinion is that
Spain has no reason to be downcast over
the turn taken in the conduct of the war.
The Gaulois, on the other hand, thinks
Cervera is in dangerous position He is,
II says, shut up until the day he chooses
to give battle. This cannot be long post
poned, as his presence at Havana will be-
come necessity to prevent the disem-
barkment of an American expedition. In
any case, victory will not be so easily
won as Dewey's was. Cerveras forces are
about equal to the American forces. Be-
sides this, he is supported by good forts
and batteries. Cervera's success, then,
will depend upon his skill and the marks
manship of his artilleryment.
Has Left Santiago
NEW YORK, May N.-An afternoon
paper prints dispatch from its Key West
correspondent alleging, on the best Of au-
thority, that Cervera's fleet left Santiago
de Cuba on Saturday last. This statement
lacks confirmation.
A Private Cable
CHICAGO, May 27.-A private cable to
| the Associated Press from a reliable per-
son in Port-au-Prince, Hayti. dated May
25, asserts that he had positive information
that at that time Admiral Cervera's fleet
was in the harbor of Santiago de Cuba.
A Spanish Report
MADRID, May 27, a.m.-The impartial
reiterates today that Admiral Cervera is
at Santiago de Cuba, which port, 1t says,
possesses advantages over Cienfuegos.
An Anxious Inventor
NEW YORK, May 27.-The Press says:
J. ]. Holland, builder of the Holland SUBJ
marine boat, has gone to Washington, with
making an offer to the government which,
If accepted, perhaps will solve the problem
Of how to destroy Cervera's s fleet. Mr.. Hol-
land will submit his proposition to the Sec
retary of the Navy at once. He is willing
to undertake to sail his submarine boat
into the channel of the narrow entrance to
Santiago harbor. destroy the mines plant
ed there and, If necessary, proceed into the
harbor and deal few blows at Cervera' S
vessels.
Mr.. Holland declares that his plan to do
this is entirely feasible.
The boat Is in shape and ready for the
work, and he will agree, If the Secretary of
the Navy thinks favorably of his PROPOSE
ton, to obtain a crew of volunteers for the
work.
All that he will ask of the authorities Is
transportation for his vessel and men to
Cuba. Once there, he agrees to do the rest.
Mr.. Holland proposes to take his boat
to Santiago, fitting her out and getting
everything in readiness under the protec-
ton of Commodore Schleys squadron.
Then, when the opportunity offers, prob
ably just at dawn, the Holland will start
on it's mission. Before 1t comes within
sight of the fortifications, which frown on
both sides of the entrance, 1t will sink be-
meath the surface of the water and steal
quietly toward the main channel.
When this is reached, it will reconnoiter
to get the layout of the mine fields, and
then, Withdrawing to safe distance, dis
charge one or more of its submarine tor
pedoes among the mines. This is the regu-
lar process known as countermining, which
is similarly conducted, but by a vessel
above the water. which lays alongside the
harbor mines another series, which, when
exploded, open up the whole channel. Mr..
Holland believes that by this method the
channel into Santiago could be opened
without great difficulty. He is prepared, If
necessary after this task is accomplished,
to proceed in his craft underneath the wat
er into the harbor and attempt to blow up
one or more of Cervera's battleships. If
the Navy Department has not another plan
for disposing Of Cervera's fleet, Mr.. Hol-
lands scheme may be considered.
The Cadiz Fleet
NEW YORK, May 27.-A dispatch to the
Herald from Gibraltar says:
The war ships at Cadiz, forming SPAIN
reserve squadron, under command of Ad-
miral Camara, are busy testing their guns
and machinery preparatory to their de-
parture from that port
Their destination cannot be ascertained,
Large quantities of coal continue to ar
rive at Cadiz.