The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-05-30
SCHLEY REPORTED DEFEATED.
CERVERA ALLEGED TO HAVE SUNK
TWO OF OUR SHIPS.

Remainder of Our FIyintg Squadron
Represented as So BADLY Disabled
as to he Compelled to Retreat.
SpRniards represented as Getting
OF With Damage to Only One of
Their VesseIs-AIlcged Battle Rep
resented as Occurring on Jamaica.
Madrid. May 29.-El Progresso publishes
dispatches purporting to come from Paris
giving details of an alleged battle near
Jamaica in which, it is said, two Amer
lean warships were destroyed and one
Spanish warship was injured.
Although the account is very circum-
stantial as to time, place, incidents and
results, 1t is received her with suspicion
The story is that Commodore Schley's
squadron parted from Rear Admiral
Sampson's off Cape Maysi, the eastern
point of Cuba, and steered toward the
Yucatan passage, followed by Admiral
SIMPSONS ships Both were sighted from
the watch towers of Santiago de Cuba.
Rear Admiral Sampson arrived off the
province of Puerto Principe, continuing
thence in the direction of Jamaica. Ad-
miral Cervera left Santiago Thursday,
May %, at midnight, all his lights being
eXtinguished, with the Vizcaya and the
Almirante Oquendo, preceded by the tor
pedo boat Furor He took up a position
in proximity to jamaica Two hours later
the remainder of Admiral Cervera' S
squadron withdrew from the harbor of
Santiago and proceeded in a southerly di-
rection.
On, kI1 .e -, H.,
came up rapidly TO the Vizcaya and the
Almirante Oquendo, advising Admiral
Cercera of the approach of the enemy.
Read Admiral SIMPSONS ships steamed
at full speed toward the Spanish vessel
which accepted combat, but moved in a
southerly direction TO effect a juncture
with the remainder of the Spanish squad
ron.
Presently the battle ragged furiously on
both sides. The American detached three
cruisers and three smaller ships to sur
round the Vizcaya and Almirante Oquendo
The Furor, between the cross-fire of the
enemy, made for the American flagship
Notwithstanding the fire of the heavy
guns.
two American warships were sunk ana
one Spanish warship disabled in it's steer
ing gear.
The remaining vessels of the American
squadron were so much damaged that they
were compelled to take refuge In Haytieh
waters.
1t is reported that the Cristobal Colon
captured one American ship, which had
been disabled from shot by the Vizcaya
that perforated her side.
The Viscaya risked destruction from an
American destroyer.
1t is believed that after the combat the
Spaniards sailed for Havana, or, If the
re = A.
of a superior force of the enemy required
took refuge at Cardenas or Matanzas.
The publication of this dispatch from
Paris caused an excited discussion of the
conflicting reports from various sources
which completely absorbed all sections Of
the press and all circles of the public In
Madrid.
Speaking to-day of yesterdays rumors
of the defeat of the American and the
death of Rear Admiral Sampson, Capt
Aunon, the minister of marine, without
crediting it, In the absence of official con-
firmation. remarked that the event was
nearly within the limits of possibility. II
is hoped that the result of to-day's cabi-
net council win disclose information con-
f1rming or denying the report.
London, May 29-The circumstances un-
der which FL Progresses remarkable story
appears seem to discredit it, Apparently
the Paris correspondent of that newspaper
is the sole possessor of the information he
pretends to have.
The most reliable Paris news agencies
have received nothing on the subject.
1t is possible the story has been given
a Paris date in Madrid for some undis-
cernible reason; though, if it emanates
from official sources, it is inconceivabIs
that the government should be unwilling
to give out favorable news on it's own re-
sponsibility.
SCHLEY NOT DEFEATED,