The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1898-05-20
PLANS KEPT SECRET
Movements of the Fleets Not Given
Out for Prudential Reasons.
PICHT ALMOST ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN
Reported Capture Of the Cruiser Yale by
the Spanish Discredited- Tor
pedo Boat Disabied-war May
He Prolonged.

WAbHINGTON, may 10. - Important
kilograms were received by the secre-
tary of the navy yesterday which led
to an extraordinary session of the war
board of naval strategy There were
present at the session Secretary Long,
Adm. Sicard, Capt Mahan, Capt Crown
inshield and Capt Baker. Presume
bly, the cablegrams contained vital in
formation as to the movements of the
Spanish vessels, but for prudential
reasons nothing was given out. EX-
traordinary efforts are being put
forth to prevent plans from becom-
ing public, and the lines have been
closely drawn about newspaper CORE
spondents. The eminent correctness of
this stand on the part of high officials
is so patent that considerable news
which reaches newspapers now is not
written because it might give valuable
tips to the enemy. Having definitely
located the Spanish fleet in sea of
indefinite era, the problem now for
the naval board of strategy is to figure
out where the fight will take place.
1t seems absolutely sure that
the Spaniards cannot now es-
cape without a fight, and there
is no evidence that they want
to. Spanish Adm. Cervora is evil
IDENTITY doing some clever maneuvering
in the endeavor to select the most ia
vorable point for the battle. Mani
testify the enemy's vessels are awaiting
either for a chance to slip into Glen
fuegos or to evade both Sampson and
Schley and make a dash for the United
States coast leaving Cuba and Blanco
to their fate. The probability of the
Spaniards abandoning every thing else
in their endeavor TO destroy the
Oregon, the Marietta and the Buffalo
has been discussed and discounted by
the board of strategy, its members
holding that il is plausible, but hardly
probable.
CAPTURE OF YALE DIsCREDITED.
CAPE HAYTIEN, Hayti May IS. The
United States torpedo boat Porter and
the storeship Supply, which have been
here waiting orders, have sailed to
join Adm. SIMPSONS squadron. The
squadron passed Cape Haytien yester-
day. 1t is uncertain whether IT will
turn southwark to meet the Spanish
fleet or go first to Key West 1t is ex-
pected that this point may be used as
the base of supplies for the fleet No
news of the reported capture of the
auxiliary cruiser Yale, formerly the
American line steamer Paris, has been
received here and the report is dis
credited.
A SPANISH TORPEDO BOAT DISABLED.
WASHINGTON, May 16.-Secretary
Long yesterday authorized the publ
cation of the statement that the tor
pedo boat Terror, belonging to the
Spanish feet, was disabled at Port of
France, Martinique. The dispatch is
as follows: spanish torpedo boat
Terror disabled at Port of France,
Martinique" There was a disposition
among some of those who saw this
statement TO regard it with suspicion,
suggesting that the report of disabil-
ity was intended simply as blind,
and that the Spanish government had
caused it to be spread so that no com.
plant could be made on account of the
stay of the boat at a neutral port.
None of the officers, however, would
express themselves on the subject.
THE WAR MAY BE PROLONGED.
LONDON, May l6.--It is considered in
London that the Washington board Of
strategy has difficult problem tC
solve on account of the mysterious
movements of Adm. Cervera's squad
ron, every alleged detail of which Is
now regarded with the utmost suspi
cion. 1t is recognized that Spain''
policy will do her no good in the end
but also that the war will be more
prolonged than was first expected, anC
that the invasion of Cuba may prove {
difficult matter.
CALLS IT A SPANISH VICTORY"
ST. THOMAS, w. l., May 10Th,
captain general of Porto Rico tele
graphs the Spanish consul here
eleven American warships have BON
barded the forts of the town. A heroi
defense was made. The soldiers ar
preparing to fight to the death. Tn
Americans retreated. Several of thei
ships were damaged and one wa
towed away. 1t was Spanish vic
tory"
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Miss CIsneroa TO Wed.
WASHINGTON Nav 16.-From high