The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1898-07-09
SPAIN WEAKENING
The Return Of the Cadiz Fleet
Strengthens This Belief.
THE CONDITIONS AT SANTIAGO

~ Favor the Belief That General Lin
ares Contemplntes the Surrender OF
tho City-Our Government Inclined
to Deal Lenlently with Cervera.
Washington, July 9.--There was q
continuation of peace talk yesterday,
and other evidences In this line than
those of Thursday are coming to the
surface. Such, for instance, was. the
confirmation by the state department.
of the report that the Cadiz fleet was
returning to Spain, since 1t is scarcely
conceivable that the Spanish govern
ment would doom this last remnant Of
their fleet to destruction at the hands
of Watson's squadron. which in all
probability could head 1t off before 1t
reached Cadiz, its home port. There
fore, the assumption is that the Span
ish government calculates that at least
an armistice precedent to peace will be
obtained before the ships reach Spain.
Conditions at Santiago are also re-
garded as favorable just now. accord
ing to General Skaters dispatch re-
ceived yesterday. Nothing more came
from him during the day. but the im-
preston prevails that the Spanish are
in desperate plight within the lines Of
the city, and General Skaters action
In allowing Linares to communicate
freely with Madrid is an implication
that there is at least reasonable hope
that the Spanish general contemplates
q surrender. However that may be-
every preparation is making for a great
engagement, the final one at Santiago.
it is hoped, which may begin even as
early as today If Skaters reinforce
ments are on hand. The department
has not heard so far of the arrival of
these soldiers, but believes they have
reached Shafter.
The government has not yet deter
mined how to dispose Of Admiral Ger
vera. feeling of the highest admira-
tion prevails here at the gallantry dis
played by the old warrior and the noble
spirit exhibited by him under mis-
fortune. The disposition Is to treat
him with as great liberality as condi-
tions will permit. 1t has been proposed
that he be released on parole not to
engage in hostilities against the United
otdlGS uHtu tIt ellu VI llIC wal put IL
has not yet been decided whether to do
this or to conflne the admiral technical
ly within the limits of the naval acad-
emy reservation at Annapolis. All the
other captured Spanish naval officers
will be confined there save the sur
geons, who will be allowed to- remain
with the enlisted men at the prison sta
tion at Seavys Island Portsmouth har-
Dor, New Hampshire. The st. Louis is
due there today with the first lot of
prisoners. while the Harvard has just
started from off Santiago with the re-
mainder.
The report of the appearance of
Spanish privateer off the coast of Brit
ish Columbia appears to have created
a commotion on the northwestern
coast. 1t came from one of ehe govern
ment agents in that section of the
world. Moreover. the same person said
that two vessels were taking on coal
at a British Columbian port which 1t
was presumed was intended for the
Spanish fleet should it have made its
way into the Pacific ocean through the
SueZ canal.
As the navy begins fire at Santiago at
noon today, attention Is directed TO the
range of their guns. for on this depends
whether the bombardment will be con-
fined to the outer forts or will be effect
i've upon Santiago ITSELF There are five
batteships and two armOred cruisers,
besides the lesser ships to open this
fire, namely. the battleships Iowa, Indi-
ana, Massachusetts. Oregon. Texas and
armored cruisers New York and Brook
lyn. The Oregon and Iowa are to be
rushed with the eastern squadron to
the coast of Spain and therefore may
not take part in the bombardment. The
three battleships and the two armored
cruisers have guns with range of ten
or eleven q,iles on an acute elevation.
and a range Of over six miles on the
elevation which can be given In turrets.
This is an elevation which can clear
Moro Castle and the harbor batteries
and can about reach the city of San
tiago. Naval experts say that tOday's
bombardment will be confined mainly
to the forts and batteries. Once these
are reduced, the way is clear to San
tiago itself.