The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-06-28

WAsHINGTON June 1.-THE admins
irauon to-day finally came to O. decision
80 send an American squadron to the
Spanish coast and into the Medlterran-
can. Several times since the war broke
ont rumors to- this effect have circulated
but the project had not matured; it re-
quired The Spanish movement toward The
Philippines by Camara's squadron TO de-
eide the Nayy Department TO adopt this
bold stroke.
The first announcement to-day through
bulletin posted at the Navy Depart.
mont OF the governments intention was
received with increduiity. There was
suspicion that the story was being float
ed Co deceive the Spanish government
However. when later I'm the day the de-
tail OF the vessels selected TO constitute
Commodore Watsous eastern squadron
was announced and official orders were
given TO- provision the feet for four
months. 70 became apparent 90 the last
doubter that the government was in ear
nest iu This purpose to despatch The fleet
10 Europe.
The three vessels selected as cOuicrs
have started already on their way To-
Newport News to take 0n a large supply
of a1aL 10 viii require about week TO
ret this down 90 Sampson fleet. so li
the start i- t0 be made from That point 10
will bo impossible for Commodore Wat
son 90 get away before thc Fourth OF
July.
AN AUsPICIOUs DATE.
TrIs would seem to Doe am auspicious
date for the beginning OF am expedition
that VIII. for the first time In the world %
history. start from The new world 10 at
tack Continental Europe No attempt s
made t0 deny that the government is in-
nuencod in ordering this movement 10y "a
desire to check tine progress eastward or
the Cadlz Gcet 90 was not believed that
the Spanish Admiral could bo guilty OF
tho folly of uucoverins his home ports i'm
this fashion but iuasmuch as he seems
determined 10 do so the Navy strategists
could not DO less than take advantage OF
fhe magnificent opportunity thus afforded
10 strike "a crushing blow at Spain and
-hereby perhaps save much time ana
loss ~ life aud money in the conduct or
the tedious campaign I'm cuba.
HOW 1T CAME ABOUT
The determination 90 send this squad
Yon against spain was thc outcome OF
direct official ddvccs reaching the state
and Navy Departments as 90 the progress
OF Admiral Camars. squadron. bhese
adviCcs give "a list OF the Spanish 7hlps
now nearing the sucz canal which differs
e0mewh8t from tho list given in The
press dispatches and by Lio5cs. 1he oil-
cial hst is as follows.
Pelayo Carlos v. Audaz. Osada, Pros
perlua Patricia. Rapido, Buenos Ayres.
Isla de Paney. Colon, Coyandonga ana
San Francisco.
The additional information comes from
official sources that this squadron is at
Port Said, and expects TO take on board
1000 tons OF coal before entering the
siez Canal Such "a heavy cOaling VIII
take some time. 10 discl0scs also that
the Admiral expects 90 make q long sal
and is doubtless headed for tho Philip
pines. a point which the officials here
doubted at first.
SPANS STRONGEST SQUADRON.
This squadron is the most formidable
spain has 0n0at in total tonnage,
strength % individual ships. armor and
guns.
t Ia apparent that the main reliance
OF Camaras Meet is on the battleship
Pclayo the afmored cruiser Carlos Y,
and the rwo new tOrpcd0-boat-destr
Atidaz and Osada. Tho others are auXll-
1srics and golfers As there are only two
ormored ships in the LOT Admiral
Dewey b feet OF protected but unarmored
shine Will probably take care OF this
epanign souadrOu. with the Monterey
added he coulu certainly DO 80.
OURS ~ STRONGER.
The Eastern squadron which the
United states Will now send against
Spain. FAR out-ranks this Spanish squad
ron-the Iowa and oregon exceeding the
pelayo ana Carlos v st every point. while
the other United states vessels are lar
superior. ship for ship, 20 those OF the
Spanish Squadron, with the single e1es2'