The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1898-06-01
soHLEY's MESSAGE.

soHLEps MESSAGE.
American Commander Has Sighted En-
envy In Santiago Harbor.
Washington, May 30.-There appears
to be no reason now why the military
invasion of Cuba should not begin as
soon as sufficient number of troops
can be equipped for the campaign.
1t was with deep qualification that
the secretary of the navy received
message from Commodore Schley that
finally removed from the field of con-
lecture any question as to the location
of Cervera's Spanish flying squadron
The commodore's telegram WAS brief,
but to the point.
The text of his dispatch has not been
given out, but the substance has been
made public. The commodore said
that he had sighted the Spanish feet
In Santiago harbor.
The department construed his words
to mean that the officer had himself,
with his own eyes, seen Cervera's fleet,
and as near as can be learned this
gratifying spectacle was beheld by
Schley Sunday morning. He expressed
the belief that the whole fleet was
within Santiago harbor, but he did not
actually see two of the big cruisers,
the vizcaya and the oquendo-
Like the commodore, the naval Off
GERS here are confident that these two
cruisers are in the harbor, for they say
1t would be very bad policy for an adj
miral in Cervera's. position to divide
his feet.
Even it should prove to be true,
however, that the Vtzcaya and oQuen-
do are at large they can do little harm,
unless their commanders have arrived
at that desperate state OF mind when
they are willing to submit their ships
to certain destruction for the sake of
INJECTING some small injury on one of
the unprotected vessels of the Ameri-
can navy, or for the glory of running
the blockade.
The navy department has taken note
of the reported arrival of the torpedo
boat destroyer Terror at San Juan.
They say she has made her last cruise
under the Spanish flag, whence it is
inferred that one of the American
cruisers is already on her way to bottle
her up in San Juan harbor.
1t is believed that Sampson, conf
dent of Schley's ability to hold the
Spaniards in Santiago harbor, is now
rapidly preparing to convey the mill
tary expeditions, the starting of which
can not be deferred much longer.
Sampson has reinforced SchIey's fleet
with some OF the best ironclads, the
Iowa for instance, SO that there is no
question of his overwhelming the Span
iards in point of force.
The Cienfuegos blockade, which was
not abandoned, but was temporarily
weakened to ensure the safety of some
of the blockading vessels from attack
by the Spanish flying squadron, will
now be re-established in all of its old
rigor.
No one who can speak authoritative
ly will say when the military expedi-
lions viii start. Secretary Alger when
asked the direct question replied very
decidedly that it would be impolitic to
make any statement on that subject.
General Miles is prepared for instant
departure. a special car prepared for
the commanding general and his staff
lies on a siding at the Pennsylvania
station here ready to start whenever
needed. The general himself refuses
to tell when he will move, but there
were signs at army headquarters that
Indicated an early departure.
Decoration day at the war depart
lnent was a holiday in name only, so
far as the greater part of the officials
were concerned, as they were at their
desks for a good portion of the day.
The department was technically closed,
but Notwithstanding this a large num-
Der of visitors put in an appearance
and saw Secretary Alger.
QUIET AT MANILA
Plenty of Supplies Coming In From the