The sun. (Wilmington, Del.) 1897-19??, 1898-05-15
u "a =
EFFEC1GNEAT NAVAL BATTLE
Situation After Admiral Sampson
Engages the Spanish Fleet.
HE Is MAKING FOR SOUTH CUBA
A Review of All Foreign Complies
tiOns Accruing and Likely TO
Spring Up During the
Present War.
HE IS MAKING FOR SOUTH CUBA
From a staff Correspondent.

From staff Correspondent.
WASHINGTON, May l4.-Everybody is
probabilities, and apparently the
Naval Board of Strategy is as much in
doubt as is everybody else
The most satisfactory information con-
corning the Spanish fleet is that con-
tanned in the newspaper dispatches and
apparently no one has been able to say
with knowledge just what vessels com.
prise the fleet.
1t is even suggested this morning as a
possibility, though not probable, that
the vessels sighted off Fort de France
were not the Cape Verde fleet, but were
number OF small Spanish vessels sent
towering around in that quarter for the
purpose of deceiviEg and distracting at
tention.
The reported presence OF the fleet has
resulted in the withdrawal of Sampson s
fleet from San Juan, the postponement
of the invasion of Cuba, and the sailing
OF Schley's fleet, and might result in the
cessation of operations by our vessels on
the south coast of Cuba. 1t is suggested
that this is a good deal to be accom-
plished by Spain, and would have war
ranted the assembling OF Quaker
feet" off Martinique, while the Cape
Verde fleet might be moving in some
other direction.
This, OF course. is the nearest specula-
ton, but illustrates the condition of I'M
certainty which prevails here. The De-
paltment officials insist that there is abb
solutely no doubt that the vessels re-
ported at Martinique comprise what Is
known as the Cape Verde fleet, but they
do not know whether or not this fleet
has been augmented.
The press dispatches contained in sew
eral OF the morning papers, stating that
the fleet is composed of eight war vessels
and seven torpedo boat destroyers and
torpedo boats is puzzIing to the Depart
ment. The universal opinion is that the
Spanish have been much more adroit in
strategy than has been the Strategy
Board OF the Department here, and that
the Spanish are much better informed as
to the movements ana whereabouts Of
our vessels than we are as to theirs
1t is generally conceded that il the
Spanish fleet succeeds in reaching the
south coast " Cuba without being in
terCepted it will prolong the war con-
siderably beyond present calculations
and it is believed to be the Spanish
policy to proong the war with a well de
fined hope that in time other nations may
become involved.
The superstition that the Spanish fleet
were permitted to coal at Martinique
threatens friction between this Govern
ment and France, and it is said that
Spain may reasonably indulge in the
hope that If the war lasts long enough
sufficient irritation will be excited be-
tween France and the United States to
that Power, il not an actual alliance.
This hope on the part Of Spain may
not be warranted, but no doubt is felt
that she INDUCES it and is intent upon
avoiding a decisive engagement as long
as possible.
The Cape Verde fleet has sufficient aG
vantage OF speed to run away from Samp-
sons fleet, even ii sighted, and it is be.
lieved that the Spanish Admiral will not
face fight unless his fleet is very much
stronger than our information represents
it to be-
If the Spanish fleet succeeds in r,a:h-
ing ClentuegUS no doubt is felt that it
can be hemnled in there and destroyed
out this cannot be done as speedily ar
this government would desire, nor can II
be accomplished without the danger OF q
very great loss OF life ON our side and
serious damage to oar vessels.
1t either t.e Sampson fleet or the
Schley fleet can succeed in engaging the
Spaniards Il decisive battle will be fought
which it is believed here will PRACTICAL
end the war.
If the Spanish fleet succeeds in cscap
ing an engagement either by beating tn,
race to the CUBAN coast or by a retrogradt
movement. it will probably be necessary
for IL different distribution of our wa
vessels to be- made, and much that ",
have already accomplished may have tt
be done over again. II it should turn on
SO there will be Il constantly inCreasin,
apprehension of international compiled
tionS.
Somehow the most experienced states
men here, as well a. those in England
appear to DC unable to disassociate thi
war with the possible future develop
ments Of the great Eastern question, il
which the whole world is interested, AM
in Congressional circles today the speed
OF Joseph Chamberlain, the British
Secretary Of State for the Colonies, de
livered at Birmingham last evening, i
being discussed with considerable in
tereSt.
1t is felt by many that speedy terni
nation OF this war by the complete van
gushing OF Spain is the only certain
thing to prevent ether complications
arising Immediately from it. Apparent,
the naval officials a'e very coniideu
that IL naval battle will occur, possibl
today, but certainly within two or thrc
days, and the expected battle to practi
cally terminate the war,
THROUGHOUT DELAWARE