Connecticut western news., 1898-05-26

enabled the authorities to deny em- phatically the reports that an action had occurred in the Windward passage.
 An official said he regarded it as man. ifestly impossible that any engagement could have occurred between Cuba and Haiti, notwithstanding the persistent reports to this effect, when the depart ment had absolute knowledge of the whereabouts of the American and Span ish forces.
 Secretary Long announced that he had reason to believe the Spanish fleet was still in the harbor of Santiago de Cuba, and later. in referring to the duties of the war board, he said that 1t Was simply advisory. referring informa- tion of value to the fleet commanders and outlining a general policy which they should pursue.
 SchIey Is Not Handicapped.
 The war board, he declared, made no attempt to determine how a battle should be fought. It Is considered a fair inference in naval circles, therefore, that Commodore Schley's instructions were confined to a notification of the presence of the enemy's squadron in the harbor of Santiago de Cuba, coupled with directions to proceed to that point
 
 Whether Commodore Schley shall att tempt to force his way into the harbor to meet the Spanish fleet therein IS a point which he alone is believed to be competent to pass upon and which he alone must decide. Before his departure from Key West on Thursday last he received a chart setting forth the mines in the channel leading into the harbor, and with this information he will be able to judge what course Is best for him to pursue.
 Advantages Gained Over Spain.
 By bottling up the Spanish fleet in the harbor of Santiago de Cuba a great load has been lifted from the shoulders of the authorities. It means:
 The freedom from danger of the ports along the Atlantic and gulf coasts.
 The safety of the blockading squadron and assurance of its maintenance.
 The prompt and comparatively easy transports tion of troops to Cuba for the reduction of Havana
 A decisive blow toward the final de- struction of Spain's weapons of offense and defense.
 So important is considered the reten- tion of the Spanish fleet in the harbor of Santiago de Cuba or its destruction that the authorities do not propose to let it escape, and if necessary the ar morclads in front of Santiago de Cuba will be re-enforced.
 So clarified has become the atmos- phere as a result of the bottling up of the Spanish fleet in Santiago de Cuba that the authorities are now eagerly and earnestly pressing forward the military expedition which will invade Cuba.
 
 This expedition will unquestionably start this week and will be supported by formidable force of armorclads, which will be detailed to Lombard Havana un- der the command of Rear Admiral Sampson. while the army makes the land attack.
 The gunboat Helena has been retain ed at Tampa and will be employed as a convoy for the ships which will convey troops. The gunboat Bancroft, which has been at Tampa for some days, was ordered to proceed with all dispatch to Key West, which will be the point of mobilization for the several corps and from which port they will be transport ed under the convoy of the Bancroft and other vessels to Cuba.
 The Oregon at Key West.
 There is no longer any uneasiness about the battleship Oregon. She is safe at Key West.
 After a race against time for nearly IA 900 miles this valuable accession to Rear Admiral Sampson's fleet has reached his base Of supplies and after replenishing her coal bunkers will be ready to go to sea and perform her part in the task of destroying the Spanish fleet.
 Though no details can be learned as to the condition of the Oregon, it is evi- dent from the excellent time she made on the latter part of her voyage that no serious defects in her machinery have developed. It is expected that she will | take on full supply of coal as rapidly