Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1898-06-15
WAR RUMORS.
FIFTEEN THOUSAND TROOPS
OFF FOR CUBA.
AMERICAN BLOOD SHED ON CUBAN
soIL-PORTo RICO TO BE TAKEN
sOON-THE SITUATION
AT MANILA.

At last, after delays unavoidable or ad =
visable, fleet OF transports with the
first army of invasion for Cuba is fairly on
its way. Tomorrow should find the fleet
at Santiago and Friday find the men on
Cuban soil.
The fleet expected to sail last week, but
at the last moment news that Spanish
ships had been seen off the Cuban coast
| from sources which the war board con-
sidered worthy of consideration, caused a
delay until stronger escort could be
furnished the transports. The feet
finally sailed on Monday.
The week has been marked by the first
| American blood shed on Cuban soil in the
present war. AT the outer harbor of
Guantanamo, where battalion of
marines has been landed, the camp has
been attacked several nights, the
Spaniards hiding in the day time and
fighting from the thickets at night. Up
to Monday six Americans were reported
killed. The Spanish loss is unknown,
but unofficial reports say fifteen bodies
were found Monday.
The American position is exposed,
while the Spaniards have the cover of
tickets. The Americans have thrown up
light earthworks about the camp, but
there are serious fears that Well-planned
| charge by superior force Of Spaniards
would be disastrous. The American posi-
tion is supported by several war vessels,
but in handto- hand engagement theit'
usefulness would be impaired. Rein
forcements from the invading army are,
therefore, anxiously awaited by the little
company OF marines.
TO ATTACK SANTIAGO.
The object OF attack Of the invading
army is Santiago, and the capture or de-
struction OF the Spanish fleet now hemmed
up in the harbor. combined ID pd and
sea attack will be made, and indications
now point to an attempt on the part OF
Sampson to force the harbor.
Admiral Cervera has been notified by
the United States that il he destroys his
| ships to prevent their capture, the Spanish
government will be held responsible for
| additional indemnity to the value of the
vessels. 1t is hoped this may have re-
straining influence, but it is more than
proba bic that Cervera will destroy his
fleet rat her than allow it to be captured
and let the cost be what it will.
PORTO RICO EXPEDITION.
In the meantime preparations are being
made as rapidly as possible to despatch
an expedition to Porto Rico, which must
| be taken to secure war indemnify. 1t Is
proba BILE that by the time the expedition
is ready, some of SIMPSONS ships, having
accomplished the destruction of Cervera' s
fleet, will be at liberty to join the eXpe-
dition for an attack on San Juan. The
capture of San Juan is the control OF
| Porto Rico.
THE CADIZ FLEET.
While interest centres about Santiago
the Spanish feet at Cadiz has not been
lost sight of. Many conflicting reports
| have been received, the latest being that
| the fleet was unfit for sea. This rumor,
following reports that the fleet had
already sailed, and the knowledge that it
was at least preparing for sea, is gener-
ally discredlted.
| But the action of the Spanish fleet at
| Cadiz is peculiar to say the least, and
while it causes no uneasiness, it does
cause speculation. The United States will
not be caught mapping, for even while
concentrating a large part of its naval
| force to crush Cervera at Santiago, swift
scouts are securing the seas to warn o1
the approach of hostile ships.
| OF chief Importance in the so-called
| Cadiz fleet are the ''Pelayo" and "Carlos
w. The "Pelayo" has just been rebuilt
and has had new boilers put in. They
were recently reported as having been
condemned, however. She is Of 8, 800 tons
burden, 5000 horsepower engines and g
speed Of Is knots. Her armor consists o1
protective belt 17$4 inches thick and 6
deck plating inches thick. She carries
two 12l5-inch guns, two 11-inch and nine
| 5b-inch quick firers, besides number O
smaller guns. She has seven torpedo
tubes.
The "Carlos V" is the most powerful
and largest of Spain's armored cruisers
She is OF 9,235 tons burden, has engines
| of Is, 500 horse power, and she can make
twenty knots speed. Her armor consists
of two-inch belt and protective deck
six and one-half inches at the thickes
part. Her gun positions are protected by
ten inches oi harveyized steel. She has
two eleven-inch Hontaria rifles, eight five
and one half-inch quick tirers, sixteer
smaller guns and maxims, and six torpedo
tubes.
The other ships in the Cadiz squadron
are not formidable, either in armor OF
| armament.
There is an interesting rumor atloat tC
| the effect that the United States is fitting
out flying squadron of fast auxiliary
| cruisers and one or two armored cruisers
for a dash across the ocean to Spain
| EaSS, ~