The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1898-05-27
X | \ A !!
inflated PLANS.
More Ships, More Troops,
More Time, More Every
thing Except Fight
ing.
WHAT is M'KINEEY'S SSCHEME?
Existing Forces Not Utilized
and Preparations Kept Up
for a Long War.
NO NEWS OF THE FLEETS
Cabinet Still in the Dark as
to Whether Cervera Is at
Santiago or Not
CHASE NEAR KEY WEST
The Bancroft Under Full Steam
After Suspicious Look
ing Cruiser.
NO NEWS OF The FLEETS
CHASE NEAR KEY WEST
The Bancroft Under Full Steam
After Suspicious Look
ing Cruiser.

WASHINGTON, May %. 1S9S.-Secretary
Long said today on his way to the Cab
met meeting, that he had not received
any official confirmation of the report
that the Spanish fleet was in Santiago
harbor and that Commodore Schley was
lying in wait at the entrance. He had,
however no reason to doubt the accuracy
of the statement. beyond the fact that
several days had passed and it had not yet
been officially confirmed
Notwithstanding the repeated state
ments. which, of course, will come true in
the end if persisted In, to the effect that
the Navy Department has been in COM
nunication with Commodore Schley off
Santiago, the Secretary stated that ne
had not received any message from Com
modore Schley since his brief report
made several days ago from another point
in Cuba Therefore the Department is
IN exactly the position 1t has occupied for
the last few days 50 far as Its knowledge
Of the fleet goes. 1t has heard through un-
official and 1t is hoped, reliable sources,
-silat the Spanish feet IS IN Santiago har-
Dor, and that schley Is lying IN wait out
side.
The Department having waited as long
as dignity seemed to require for news di-
rectIy from the squadrons, it is believed
has now taken steps to secure 1t through
its own inquiries and consequently 1t
may be expected at any moment that
some of the despatch boats or scouting
vessels will bring news of the squadron
to one of the cable stations, probably in
Hayti, for transmission to the Navy De-
partment.
At the close of the Cabinet meeting it
was authoritatively stated that although
the government had no official informa>
tion on the subject there was no reason
able doubt that Admiral Cervera's fleet
was in Santiago harbor and that Com
modore Schley was on guard at the en-
trance. Although the information upon
which this belief is based is regarded as
entirely trustworthy, the government
will make no important move or change
Its plans in the absence of direct con-
drmation from official sources.
II was also stated that any contem-
Mated movement against Cuba or Porto
Rico would be held In allegiance until the
Spanish fleet either was destroyed or
otherwise rendered helpless to seriously
interfere with our plans in any direction.
The Cabinet discussed the situation at
was decided upon. The work of equipping
and mobolizing the volunteer army will
be pushed with all possible vigor with
view TO being in perfect readiness for any
call that might be made when the Span
ish feet shall no longer be serious fac
tor in the war problem. All of the mem
bers of the Cabinet were present except
Attorney General Griggs, who is at his
home in New Jersey
There was revival this morning of the
almost daily rumor that General Miles
was about to depart on his trip to Tampa,
which is, of course, construed to mean the
direct beginning of the invasion Of Cuba.
AS a matter of fact. there is just as much
foundation for this statement today as
during any day in the past week; the
commanding general has had special
car ready for himself and staff In the
Pennsylvania railroad station in this city,
ready to start at moments notice for
Tampa.
He himself has been anxious to depart
for many days past, and has been re-
strained only because conditions were
not ripe for the movement When that
moment arrives, a start will be mace, Dut
whefher it will be tonight or week hence
Is absolutely not known at this moment,
even to General Miles himself. The cali
ing of the conference at the White House
Yesterday has led to the revival OF the
rumor of an immediate movement upon
Cuba ahd Porto Rico.
II may be stated, however, upon the
hest authority, that it has not vet been
finally decided when to begin the CUBAN
invasion, and. as far as Porto Rico IS