The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-05-15
FLEETS IN ARRAY


usual interest. and study of the map
with the probable positions of the
various squadrons in mind, as these are
indicated in the latest reports, war;
rants the conclusion that naval battle
of the first magnitude is a matter of
hours, or at the most, days.
The war has reached critical stage
and on the issue of the expected con-
hiet much depends. A defeat for the
Spanish fleet in the open sea or in the
harbor and under the protection of the
defenses of any one of the Cuban ports
would, so far as it is possible to look
into the future, mean an early end OF
the war, and would. perhaps, render
unnecessary an invasion of Cuba in
force. The effect of such a blow, even
If 1T was lost on Spain. would make
the inevitable end more than ever APP
parent to the powers, and in the natur-
al order of events would result in pres
sure at Madrid to bring the war to a
close.
On the other hand a partial success
for Spain would mean a prolongation
of the struggle, and would result in
w.
centrating it's energies and it's resources
for a struggle. But this last contin-
gencY is not taken into account in Of
fetal circles, where the almost universal
opinion is that there will be no trouble
in taking care of the Spanish fleet once
it can. be located.
PRETTY NAVAL PROBLEM.
AS the pieces stand on the naval
board the problem is a pretty one. Ad-
miral Sampson, with that portion of his
fleet which took part in the bonn bard
ment of San Juan, is at Puerto Plata,
the principal sea port of the Dominican
republic and situated on the north
coast of the Island of Hayti. The aux
Hilary cruiser Yale sailed this morning
from ST. Thomas, going in a westerly
direction, and the Montgomery, accord
ing to the report, is still at that place.
The Harvard is at st. Pierre for re-
pairs and will not be available for some
days.
The flying squadron under Schley,
and the Oregon, with the Marietta and
the Nictheroy as conSortS, do not at
present seem to be active factors in
the problem. Before they can be ex-
pected to arrive on the scene the Span
ish fleet will probably have reached
Cuba, if that is the object of Its
strategy. If the Spanish fleet can be
bottled up in Cuban port Sampson
will be capable of taking care of it
without other aid, though the battle
ships of Schley's squadron and the Ore
gon would be of great assistance if the
fleet of the enemy Is to be attacked
while under the protection of shore bat
teries.
That the object of the Spanish COM
mander is to reach the coast of Cuba
and perhaps Cienfuegos is indicated by
the latest reports of his movements.
Leaving st. Pierre with the greater part
CT his fleet, he has apparently swept
in circle, and is moving toward the
island through the Caribbean sea to
the south Of Hayti and Porto Rico.
HE MAY INTERCEPT.
If SamI son is advised in time there
is possibility of his squadron running
down between Cuba and Hayti from
Puerto Plata and intercepting the
Spanish fleet in the vicinity of ia
nlaica, but whether or not he has been
advised to do this, III the absence of
Official Information, is pure conjecture
Accepting the stated positions of the
sQuadrons as accurate, it is difficult to
see how a naval battle is to be avoid
ed. Whichever way he turns the Span
ish commander is almost certain to run
into an American fleet ard, unless his
IA will ha writ 49,
odds against him. There is just pos
sibility that by a sudden dash the
Spanish ships could slip through the
islands to the open sea and thence sail
home, but this is not a probable ma
neuver.
All indications now point to a naval
battle in Cuban waters, and probably
in the harbor of some Cuban port
WILD RUMORS.
Regarding the story that the Spanish
fleet before it's appearance at Mar
Unique was offthe coast Of Newfound-
land, and there received orders from
home and supply of coal, naval off,
Gals are extremely skeptical, and they
are equally slow to believe that in case
the Spanish admiral is able to eIude
the fleets of Sampson and Schley he
has any intention of mbarding any
of the cities of the Atlantic coast. The
story from London regarding an at
tack on Charleston was openly secuted.
Rumors were still current today of
! the presence of Spanish ships off the
New England coast and the possibility
of attacks on the city Of Boston or
some adjacent place. but nothing was
known about the matter that was not
public yesterday.