The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-05-14

WASHINGTON. May 13.-It was almost
unanimously decided at a brief Cabinet
meeting this morning to order Admiral
sampson 10 go TO the Spanish fleet and
attack 90 al once. Secretary Long went
from the Cabinet meeting and immedi-
ately dispatched orders 20 Admiral samp-
SON
The greatest naval battle of a century
s. almost sure 60 result in the next forty
eight hours. The Spaniards will have
Jac hsht forced upon them if they do not
seek 80 themselves. II they hunt for tho
heht the contest viii take place before
this time tomorrow. If they permit the
American fleet TO go 20 them the fight
may Doe delayed forty-cight hours.
THE CABINETS DECISION.
THE Cabinet met in regular session at
III o'clock Secretary Long took to the
White House positive official dispatches
that tho Spanish fleet which left Cape
Verde was thcn at Fort de France, Mar
tuQuc. The Cabinet instantly recognized
the great Importance of this news and
lost no time in coming TO the conclusion
that the Spaniards must be met and de-
featCd. It was decided not TO allow
Sampson 90 remain at San Juan IN tho
hope that the Spaniards would go 20 him.
The belief was freely expressed that the
Spanish fleet would enter the harbor OF
Fort dc France and remain there 10
coal and 10 get everything I'm shape for
q contest with tho Americans. France IS
fully capable Of giving shelter and harbor
20 the Spanish fleet in violation OF the
neutrality laws.
This being the case 80 is the opinion
that the fleet wall be there for several
days. planning what TO do and getting
ready The Spanish admiral has already
learned from scouting ships that the
AmriCan fleet is in the vicinity OF Porto
Rico. Therefore the decision was reach
"a 20 send Sampson and his fleet 10 Mar
tin0uc. The Americans will lie 'outside
che harbor Of Fort de France until the
Spaniards have 90 come out The hght
will take place outside, like that Of the
Kearsarge and Alabama.
This programme assumes that The span
iards viii remain az Martinique until the
Americans arrive Assuming however
that they leave for Porto Rico about the
time the Americans leave for Martinique
the fight would take place about mid
way between the two places. From san
Juau 10 Fort dc France is about 4bb
miles. ~ will take Sampson two days TO
make the trio across and hegin the
fight.
It is not believed that the spaniards
will attempt TO run for Havana. The
distance is too great unless they get well
supplied at Martinique. Sampson would
probably be able 10 intercept them. The
distance from Martinique 20 Havana Is
about fifteen hundred miles.
Pending the result Of the great sea
night the army will have everybody NOV
ing TO get ready for The invasion OF Cuba.
A. soon as the Spanish feet is beaten
everything will DE clear for the invasion.
Army and navy will act together.
The news from Martinique had an cleo
frical enect on the Cabinet Plans were
quickly made and the cabinet ADJOURNED
at f.0 having been I'm session half
hour-the shortest meeting OF the present
sCBI.EY ORDERED To SAIL.
Secretary Long this morning ordered
Commodore Schley at Hampton Roads.
10 nut 70 sea az once with the Flying
Squadron, and Il put 10 sea this after
noon
Tho belief in high Official circles this
afternoon rs that Commodore Schley has
been ordered with the Flying Squadron.
90 intercept any attempt Of the Spanish
feet 10 evade Sampson ana TO get 10
Hsvana While it is believed that Ad-
Ialrai Sampson will find and fight the
Spanlards, no chances will be taken on
the enemy getting TO Havana or other
Cuban ports whore the American navy
would have 20 night both ships and fOrti-
noatious. The slow-m0yiug monitors with
SampsOns fleet might cause him TO lose
the Spaniards who would be able 20 out
run him n they could once get aheaed
Of him on the course 10 Cuba. But they
could not Outrun Schley's greyhounds.
If Schiey can obtain position az the
eastern end OF Cuba he can prevent the
Rpfniards setting 10 Havana around
eithcr side Of The island.
~ 10 said that Admiral sampson has an