Evening journal., 1898-05-20
NOW FOR A BIG BATTLE.
CerVera Will Probably Attack the
BlOCkaders.
SAMPSON AND SCHLEYAT KEY WEST
they Are Expected TO Sail at Once to
the Rescue of the Biockading Fleet.
The spaniards WIN Never
See Havana.

WASHINGTON, May 20. 1t was
learned late last night that tho navy
department had received semiofhcial in-
formation conhrmatory of the dispatch
es from Madrid announcing the arrival
OF the Spanish fleet at Santiago de
Cuba.
The source Of this informatin Is not
revealed by the navy department The
statement made was that It is consider
ed reasonably reliable, though not Of
fcial. Although usually skeptical about
movements OF ships reported from Mad
rid, Il has been pointed out that the two
last reports regarding the movements
OF the Spanish feet emanating from
that source have proved correct.
The announcements that the fleet had
arrived at Martinique and again at Gu
racao were promptly confirmed by oft-
clal dispatches from Madrid This fact,
taken In connection with the semiofiicial
information received by the navy de-
partment last night. has caused the au-
thorities TO believe that the fleet is
really at Santiago de Cuba, and the
naval war board. 1t Is said, Is consider
ing strategic movements based upon
this belief
Before the receipt OF this information
all reports that reached the state and
navy departments yesterday concerning
the Spanish men-Of-war were Of neg
atiye character. Reports from various
sources announced that the Spanish
fleet had not been sighted. Nothing had
reached Washington to disprQve the re-
port In circulation at Puerto Plata q
few days ago that the enemys ships
had not been at San Juan, but the lack
Nf
that Admiral Cervera's fleet was not
at that point.
IL the feet arrived yesterday at SAM
tiago dc Cuba. no doubt exists in the
minds OF naval experts that 1t coaled
OF the coast Of Venezuela from the col
liars sent there by the Spanish govern
rlent. As stated some days ago. It was
the belief OF some naval 6iilcers that
Admiral CefVera remained at Curacao
until he lenz,ned definitely OF the posi-
tlpn OF the cOlilers and. receiving this
lnformatiu on sunday, sailed at 6 O'Clock
that evening Tor tho point where they
lay.
Five days have elapsed since that
time. Two days at least were undoubt-
Bdly spent Ia coaling and the remaining
three In cruising. The distance from
the coast OF Venezuela 10 Santiago de
Cuba IS about 600 miles. and two days
at least must have been occupied by
the enemys men -Of-war in making the
distance.
In proceeding 20 that Cuban port the
authorities say that Spain has made
decidedly good move and that her agents
have been keeping Admiral Cervera
very we'll advised of the position of Rear
Admiral SIMPSONS squadron. The navy
department desired Il known on Mon
day last that Rear Admiral Sampson
had cabied from Cape Haitien that he
was going 60 Cienfuegos. Had this been
true he would have passed Santiago de
Cuba long before the Spanish fleets ar
rival, and If bound for Key West Ger
vera would have nothing to fear.
Now that the fleet is safely ensconced
In Santiago de Cuba 1t will be an eK-
tremely difficult matter TO lock It up in
that harbor. In the first place. the
nrmorclads arc at Key West. about 500
miles away. and they cannot reach San
tiago dc Cuba under 60 hours. BY that
time II would be possible fOr Admiral
Cervera TO be approaching Cienfuegos
TO destroy the blockading vessels there,
provided Captain General Blanco warn
ed him Of the departure Of the American
ships in an easterly direction.
II at Santiago de Cuba, another point
of advantage is that Admiral Cervera
Is In constant communication with Cap
tain General Blanco. Notwithstanding
the American men-Of-war and the cut
ting Of cables which was accomplished
at Cienfuegos. Furthermore the Span
ish fleet is at a base of supplies. where
Il can secure both coal and provisions
and make repairs that its voyage may
have made necessary.