The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-05-22


Later reports from Mole. ST. Nicholas.
Cape Hayden and other points. make
81 seem probable that second section
OF the squadron. probably including the
Cardinal CisneTOs. the Pelayo and the
Christina Rcgcnta. are following in the
wake OF the FIRST BY keeping 10 the
south shore Of tho Caribbean. the Span
Yards avoided any chance OF encounter
with Sampson or Porto Rico. and " they
were furnished news az cable points Of
the weakened state OF the Cuban block
adc, especially az Clcnfucgos, ~ showed
tempting chance 20 make a dash
across az tho south Cuban coast and wipe
out the licht vessels there. This done
they could coal and proceed around the
west end OF the island about 500 miles
90 Havana. n that as Is generally sup
posed here D. their ultimate destination.
From the fact that no such attack has
Yet been reported 20 IS inferred that the
fleet is stiil holding tie course west Old
pilots here say that a big squadron OF
warships might De easily worked west
and north just outside the fringe %
keys on the Mosquito coast without dam
ger OF discovery before they emerged
from the north end Of tho Yucatan chan
mel From this point they would be al
most eQuid'stant from Key West and
Havana. not three hundred miles either
way.
BREAK THE BLOCKADE.
II their object was 90 break the Hav-
ana blockade they could do 81 easily IL
the yarrived before Schley or Sampson.
The feeling here tonight is that the
naval battle Of the war may be fought
in forty-eight hours and probably between
Key West and the north Cuban coast
Everything Is NJ high tension and both
officers and correspondents are looking
for @ dispatch boat tearing up the cham
mel az any hour with the news that the
hostile fleet has been sighted within strik-
ing distance Of Key West or aHvana. IL
is impossible 20 forecast the movements
o feither Sampson or Schey. but the
supposition among naval men is that
orders from Washington will direct a
redistribution Of the vessels 10 form a
new flying squadron 10 make a quick
round up Of the west Cuban coast. per-
haps as Tar around as Cienfuegos on the
south leaving a sufficient guard Of heavy
vessels az Key West. where after all.
the great battle may be fought
THREE MORE TRANSPORTS.
This evening the heavy squadrons off
sand Key We're joined by three big
transports-the Leona. Iroquols and Cher
okee. Workmen were busily engaged put-
ting iu temporary hunks but no one
was olloWed 10 board them and no infor-
nation as 20 their hailing point or desti-
nation would be given.
IL is understood. however. that they
are from New York. having started for
Tampa 90 transfer troops a week ago,
when the invasion Of Cuba by a land
force seemed imminent This plan. how
ever. was evidently checked by the elu-
sive movement OF the Spanish fleet and
IS considered in allegiance for the present.
The ST. Paul this afternoon finished
coaling and received permission 20 scout
She disappeared at sunset under a cloud
81 smoke heading southeast by south.
THE SPANISH PRIZES
Tn the United states Circuit Court to-
lay the Spanish prizes Mathilde. Candi-
lato. Sofia and Argonauta against which
'pro-ConfCsso' was entered yesterday.
nobody appearing to claim them, were
formally condemned and ordered 10 be
sold.
The CAY of the sale was not set. The
rifles and ammunition found yesterday in
secret chamber on the ArgOnauta are
valued at 5000 They also were con-
demncd and ordered sold.