New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-05-24
STILL AVOIDING A FIGHT.
HOW CERyERA's STRATEGY is VIEWED
IN WASHINGTON
NOTHING ACCOMPLISHED BY HIM so FAR
LITTLE COAL AVAILABLE FOR
fBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.1

fBY TELEGRAPH TRIBUSE1
Washington, May 23.-Unofficiai from
Martinique, that the Spanish Cape Verd squad
under Admiral Cervera expected to re-
turn shortly to Fort de France to meet an Eng
lish coaling steamer. was accepted here to-day
in the same spirit Of sceptical reservation with
which advices from the West Indies have been
received since the Governments cable censor
ship began to bear it's fruits So far as tho
Navy Department and the public here know.
the Cape Verd squadron may be at Santiago do
Cuba, at Cienfuegos on its way back 10 Fort
de France, and only an actual encounter be-
tween the Spanish cruisers and some portion or
the American naval forces is likely 10 offer key
TO the recent movements Of the opposing fleets
Admiral Cervera's success thus far in replen-
ishng his coal supplies and in avoiding fight
with superior American squadron seems to
have won great applause for him in Madrid and
some serious consideration In other European
capitals. Naval experts here. however are dis
posed generally to concur in the criticisms, on
the Spanish commanders strategy INDUCED In
this morning by The London Times" The
Times" according to dispatches received here.
expresses surprise at the deliberation OF Ad-
miral Cervera's movements. and declares that
he has lost practically all the advantages OF
his well-planned and we-timed entry into tho
Caribbean by his failure to strike quickly as
possible at the scattered American fleet The
extreme slowness of Admiral Cervera's ocean
steaming, this English critic asserts. destroyed
his chance Of dealing an effective blow at Key
West. at Tampa against the blockadng force
denuded Of its most efficient vessels by Admiral
SIMPSONS abortve raid San Juan de Porto
Rico"
1t is fully recognized here that, as The
Times" suggests the supposed high speed OF tho
Spanish squadron has so far not been turned
to any account. and that. though the arrival OF
warshps at Santiago may have some moral
effect in assuring the Cuban garrisons that they
have not been abandoned" no genuine military
object has been attained by their visit to that
port.
It is considered certain that the Cape verd
squadron cannot remain long in the Caribbean
without exhausting all its available coalns re-
sources So far the Spanish Admiral has not
touched at a British station or applied to the
British colonial authorities for supplies and
coal. Probably he will not venture to ask as
sstance at any British port unless his fleet fs
actually disabled. The French officials at Mar
Unique and Guadalupe have been instructed
from Paris to avoid all appearance OF partiality
toward Spain. and word has also come to WASH
ington that the Governors Of Dutch West Ind
ian colonies have been directed TO observe tho
obligations of neutrality with the most scrupu-
lous
Admiral Cervera must therefore be reduced. Il
his campaign in the Caribbean is to continue
along recent lines. TO c0allng from merchant
ships on the open seas or to depending for sup
plies the still unbockaded Spanish ports OF
Cuba and Porto Rico. Hayti and San Domin-
go are, OF course. absolutely closed against the
Spanish commander for both countries are
bound by agreement with the United States to
furnish its enemies with no contraband Of war.
alreadW
been twice offered for sale to this country. are
equally committed TO the observance of be-
nevolent neutrality altogether discouraging to
the commander OF the Spanish fleet.