The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1898-05-22

probable that . second section o. the
squadron, probably including the Cardinal
Cisneros. the Pelayo and the Christina
Regina are following in the wake of tho
FIRST. By keeping to the south shore OF the
Caribbean the Spaniards avoided any
chance encounter with Sampson on Porto
Rico, and II they were furnished news ut
cable points of the weakened state Of the
Cuban blockade. especially at Cienfuegos.
II showed tempting chance to make a
dash across to the south Cuban coast and
wipe out the light vessels there. This
done, they could coal and proceed down the
west end Of the island about 500 miles to
Havana, II that, as il generally supposed,
IL the ultimate destination. From the fact
that no such attack has yet been reported
1t Is inferred that the feet IL still holding
Its course west Old pilots here say that
big squadron Of warships might be easily
worked west and north just outside the
fringe Of Keys on the Mosquito coast with
cut danger of discovery before they emery
ed from the north end at the Yucatan chan
mel.
From this point they would be almost
equally distant from Key West and Ha-
vana, not three hundred miles either way.
II their object was to break the Havana
blockade they could do 1t easily II they ar
rived before 6chley or Sampson.
The feeling here tonight is that the naval
battle Of the war may be fought in forty
eight hours, and probably between Key
West and the north Cuban coast. Every
thing is at high tension and both officers
and correspondents are looking for q dis
patch boat tearing up the channel at any
hour with the news that the hostile feet
has been sighted within striking distance
of Key West or Havana. 1t is impossible
to forecast the movements of either Samp-
son or Schley. but the supposition among
naval men is that orders from Washington
will direct a redistribution of the vessels
Of the flying squadron to make quick
roundup Of the west Cuban coast, per-
haps as far around. as Cienfuegos on the
south. leaving a sufficient guard Of heavy
vessels at Key West and throwing a strong
fighting force in front of Havana, where,
after all, the battle may be fought.
This afternoon the heavy squadrons of
Sand Key were Joined by three big trans
ports, the Leona. Iroquois and Cherokee.
workmen were busily engaged putting in
temporary hunks, but no one was allowed
to board them and no information as to
their hailing point or destination would
be given out.
1t is understood, however. they are from
New York, having started for Tampa to
transfer troops week ago, when the in
vasion Of Cuba by land force seemed Inn
minent This plan. however. was evidently
checked by the movement Of the Spanish
feet and is considered in allegiance for the
present.
The st. Paul this afternoon finished coal
ing and received permission to scout. She
disappeared at sunset under a cloud of
smoke heading southeast.
Ran the Blockade
CORUNNA, Spain. May N.-The Spanish
auxiliary cruiser Montserrat arrived here
unexpectedly last evening from Cienfuegos
having escaped the American blockading
feet. Large crowds Of people thronged the
quay and the crew received an ovation
when they went ashore. The people en-
braced the captain and officers Of the
steamer. Popular demonstrations followed
throughout the city.
The commander of the Montserrat de-
clared that he was not charged with any
mission and said he was not carrying dis
patches. but the Spaniards claim that he
10 periodically concealing the facts In the
case.
Tho Monserrat Is to be sent to Ferrol or
Cadiz In order to have her guns mounted.
A big fste IL being organized here in honor
Of the officers and crew Of the Montserrat.
Made Three Runs
MADRID, May q, 9 q. m.-The newspa-
pers here are using the assertion that the
| Spanish auxiliary cruiser Montserrar
thrice ran the blockade of the Cuban
coast" as the text Of articles claiming to
point out that the blockade is ineffective
1t is asserted here that the Montserrat
landed fifteen million pesetas. a thousand
soldiers, 100 guns, 900 rifles and a guam
tity Of ammunition in Cuba.
No More Permits
CHICAGO, May ALA special to the
Journal from Washington says:
The Navy Department will grant no
more permits to vessels of any nation to
pass the blockade and enter Havana. This
action is decided on at the urgent request
of the naval officers in command at Key
West and on the blockade. They have
united In q formal protest against allow
ing information to be carried through Ha.
vana right under their guns.
The Oriental Game
mt