Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1898-07-05
SPAIN DOUBTS DESTRUCTION OF cERVERKS FLEET.

outside Of Santiago, and placed under
the protection Of the United States.
This was refused by the American
commander, who declined to accept
such responsibility. The Consuls were
told it rested with them to insist upon
Linares' surrender. Conference was
resumed at O'Clock this morning when
the Consuls expressed grave doubts of
Linares' surrender, on account of
FALSE TELEGRAMs
In regard to Spanish victories and yell
low fever among the American troops
sent daily to Madrid, which caused the
Spaniards to think that they dare not
surrender and return to Spain. How
ever, the foreign Ccnsuls will demand
the surrender of the city, but it IS
doubtful whether they can prevail. All
negotiations are submitted directly to
Washington, thus
CAUSING SOME DELAY.
A courier of the Associated Press, at
4 o'clock this afternoon, said that no
conclusion had been reached. Shafter
denies the existence of a general armis-
tice under the white flag. 1t is believed
that hostilities will recommence Tues
day at IL o'clock, before which time the
exodus Of $1,000 foreigners will be ac-
complished. The British warships
Palla and Alert and Auatrian and the
the warship Maria Teresa, of Austria,
have been allowed by Rear Admiral
Sampson to enter tho harbor Of Santi-
ago and remove. foreign subjects. One
British vessel has already cleared for
Kingston. The Spanish armored
cruiser Cristobal Colon is on her beam
ends on the rocks. 1t is now practical
~ impossible to save her.
DELUDED sPANIARDs.
MADRID, July 5, 3 a. m-The gen.
eral public at this hour still believes
that Admiral Cervera and his squadron
escaped from Santiago, thanks to Of
iiciai dispatches given out by the Gov
ernment and Interviews granted by the
Ministers. A dispatch from Captain
General Blanco says: Cervera's squad
ron at II O'Clock, Sunday morning,
broke the center line of the American
fleet, and proceeded at full steam in a
westerly direction. The Spanish min
lister of war, .Senor Aunon, is quoted as
saying: am highly pleased with the
feat Of arms performed by Cervera's
which left Santiago ut the
moment Cervera judged it opportune
to do so.
Noon-Not one of the official dis
patches received from Cuba up to this
hour make mention Of the destruction
of Cervera's squadron. Consequently,
the American account of the battle
CAUSE IMMENSE SURPRISE.
and sensation, though discredited by
the Spanish officials. Every one is
anxiously awaiting the news of to-days
expected bombardment of Santiago.
The Spaniards doubt whether the
Americans, even If they destroy the
city, will succeed in penetrating into it
as their losses are c0nlidentially ex.
pected to be enormous, since the Span
sh reinforcements have arrived at
santiago.
A FREE HAND.
There is much comment here over
the news of the departure of foreign
war ships from Manila at the moment
Of the arrival Of American reinforce
LuCUtos Ouiy bWO NCi tWO CI6UCI1
aRd four British war ships now remain,
and the people are asking if inter
national politics have undergone a
change and the Americans are to be
given free hand in the Philippine
Islands.
SAMPSON TO ENTER THE IIARBOR.
WASHINGTON, July 5.--Secretary 5 AL
ger, on leaving the cabinet meeting at
1890 o'clock, said the President had
sent a telegram to Admiral Sampson
and General Shafter asking them to
confer as to what the situation de-
Secretary Alger said that it
was his understanding that the bonn
bardment would not take place until
perfect understanding between the two
officers had been reached. 1t is ex-
pected that they will reach conclusion
as to the advisability of Admiral Samp
son making an attempt to enter the
harbor and assist In the bombardment
Of Santiago. Transports with troops
will be started Immediately to reinforce
Shafter, and will continue to go forward
as long as the General thinks it neces-
sary to make his victory complete and
decisive. Alger said that the. extreme
heat and severe work done by our
troops contributed as much to our
losses at Santiago as the fire of the en-
emy. The War Department has been
informed Of the arrival of Gen. Pando
at Santiago with reinforcements for the
enemy.
BOMB BARDMENT POSTPONED.
WASHINGTON, July 5.-There will be
no bombardment of Santiago today,
possibly not during the present week.
The conclusion has been reached that it
weuld not be advisable to attempt to
carry Santiago by storm, with our
present force. Shaftsr, in dispatch
received last night, confirmed the re-
port that General Pando, with about
5000 Spaniards, had arrived at the city.
This reinforcement makes the Spanish
forces defending the city 10000 to 49,
00J. The great advantage of being en-.
trenched adds materially to their
strength. General Shafter states that
excessive heat and rains have contrib.
uted nearly as much as Spanish bullets