Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1898-05-25
scattered about the floor. The booty
secured was probably only few hun
dred dollars.
SPANISH FLEET HEMMED IN.
Officials at Washington Pleased with the
Naval Situation mastering of Volun-
teers Progressing Rapidly-Last
Gable Between Cuba and Mad
rid Expected to Be Cut

| Washington, May 25.-There seems
| no longer any doubt that the
Spanish fleet in the Santiago de
Cuba harbor is hemmed in by Commo-
dore Schley's squadron, and that escape
is almost, If not quite, impossible. Mem
bers OF the cabinet are not willing to
state the exact position of Admiral
SIMPSONS fleet, but do say it Is acting
in concert with Commodore Schley, and
can come to his relief at any Time. The
published report that another and more
formidable feet is on route from Cadiz
to the relief of the imprisoned squadron
Is not credited by the members of the
administration, but should this prove to
be fact the move would be welcomed
as it would certainly result, it is said, in
the destruction of two fleets instead of
one. Captain Clark, in his message to
the Navy department, says the Oregon
is in condition for immediate active
operation at the front.
Naval officers View of the situation.
The Navy department in accepting
the view that Admiral Cervera is in San
tiago de Cuba harbor, is of the opinion
that he will likely remain there weeks
or even months. A study of the de-
fenses Of the harbor and its topograph-
ical features have convinced the experts
that to undertake to carry the place by
storm from the sea, and to attack the
fleet under the protection of the forts
will involve so great loss of life on our
part as to be entirely unwarranted
Il give the Spanish squadron three
months lease of life If they are in the
Santiago de Cuba harbor,' said prom
inent naval officer He explained that
long before that time the town, which
probably will be cut off entirely by the
insurgents, and perhaps by United
States troops, and will be practically
starved, but the military and naval
forces, appropriating all the food sup
plies, would hold out longer.
Cause of Lack of News.
Before the beginning of the recent
operations of the squadrons under Ad-
miral Sampson and Admiral Schley
against the Spanish fleet, notification
was given all the newspaper boats which
have been watching and reporting the
blockade, that they would not be al
lowed to follow the warships on the
cruise. A strict enforcement of this
order is supposed here to account for
tho lack of news from the fleets, which
has amounted to famine the last week
Progress of Mastering Volunteers.
One hundred and twelve thousand men
have been mustered into the volunteer
army and the official reports show a
greater number is ready to move to the
front. Two-thirds of the states have
entirely completed their musters and
should emergency arise, are prepared
to begin anew the work just completed
The failure in some states, notably four
or five in the south, to furnish the men
called for up to this time, is ascribed
not to q lack Of patriotism, hit tn thn
belief probably shared by many Of the
Guardsmen that plenty of other
persons would readily be found to take
their places. Ample time will be given
those states to fill their apportionment.
Last Cable Expected to BE Cut Today.
1t is expected the last cable connec-
lion between Cuba and Madrid will be
,ut today.