Daily new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1897-1906, 1898-05-27

WASHINGTON, May 81 - Secretary
Long said that no word had come from
any of the scouting vessels so numer-
Gus in West Indian waters concerning
the Spanish flying squadron, wherefor
he concluded that Ceryera was still in
Santiago harbor. Supposedly Schley is
lying outside watching the entrance to
prevent the egress Of the Spanish YES
sells, but, while there IS evidence of
certain kind on that fact, there has
been no official confirmation of it.
This is little remarkable in view of
the fact that it is only days run for
one of Schley's swift torpedoboats from
Santiago to cable port in Haiti. There
is also curious lack of information
from the newspaper dispatchboats on
this point. 1t was supposed that the
censors might have excised from the
dispatches of the newspaper men any
reference to the fleets, but this would
apply, according to the statement of the
navy department officials here. only to
that part of the dispatches that might
relate to the movements and where
abouts of the United States forces, and
the censor's rules Would not exclude
reference to the Spanish squadron.
Notwithstanding the officials profess
mistaken confidence in their original
belief that the Spanish squadron is Sc
curely bottled up in Santiago harbor
there is no concealment by them of an
intense desire to secure some absolutely
trustworthy information on that point.
1t is not to be doubted that with the
question still open the beginning of the
military operations is retarded, for as
long as there exists possibility of the
Spanish naval force being at large there
is an indisposition to start the troop
transports for Cuba.
Probably it was this uncertain state
of affairs that induced the president to
call consultation at the White House
between Secretaries Alger and Long,
General Miles and the members of the
naval war board, Admiral Sicard, Cap
tain Crowninshield and Captain Ma
han AS stated by one of the members
of the conference, the purpose was to
go over the whole situation from the
Philippines to Cuba and Porto Rico and
decide just how far the plrns already
should be modified to meet existing
conditions. This involved a discussion
of such important points as the pro-
UTleby VI tIlt lluLlCuldtc dQfduCS VI bu0
military forces upon Cuba; the credi-
bility of the advices so far had touching
the location of the Spanish squadron;
the policy of preceding the Cuban ex-
petition, or accompanying it, with one
directed against Porto Rico, and, fin
ally, the extent of the military assist.
ance to be sent to Admiral Dewey at
Manila.
AS already indicated, the proceedings
were rather in the nature of consulta-
ton than of a war council, where full
decision is demanded at once, so that it
is not probable all of these important
questions were disposed of at the coun-
Gil. None of the members of the con-
ference felt authorized to tell what had
taken place, but there are thought to be
patent indications of a decision to en-
bark military expeditions in the course
of the next few days, whether for Cuba
or Porto Rico can only be comic -tured.
KEY WEST, May 81. - Commodore
Schley is believed TO have been off San
tiago de Cuba and definite information
as to the exact situation in SO far as it
effects Admiral Cervera's squadron NAV
be expected soon.
Rear Admiral Sampson is in a posi-
ton to proceed quickly to the assist
ance of Commodore Schley with any or
all of his ships on receipt of definite
word from Commodore Schley, and at
the same time he remains within strik-
ing distance of Havana.
If, however, Commodore Schley re-
ports that Admiral Cervera is bottled
up in Santiago de Cuba, the naval view
is that he will be permitted to finish
the business at that point with the ships
now under his direct command.