Evening star., 1898-05-13
The Supreme Crisis at Hand.

Today's developments in the campaign
against Spain are more vitality important in
their promise of speedy. decisive results
than any similar series since war was de-
clared. To be sure. the tidings from Ma
nila Wee fraught with great interest and
bore materially upon the drift toward
American victory but events are now shap-
ing themselves in Atlantic waters which
signify that the end is near. that Spain's
supreme effort is soon to be made, and
that. according to present anticipations, the
United States will accomplish in short
order what some feared would require
many months 10 complete. namely, the sub
jugatiOn Of Spain and her removal from
the American sphere of influence.
San Juan. the capital of Porto Rico. has
been bOmbarded. the batteries destroyed.
and the city. ii is unOfficially reported. has
surrendered to Admiral Sampson Thus
Spain's last open port in the West Indies
ceases 20 be Il possible base of supplies for
any naval fo-ce that might operate in these
waters. simultaneously with this achieve
ment comes the news that the long-awaited
Cape Verde fleet. uncertainty as to the
whereabouts of which has caused much un-
easincss has appeared at Martinique. 400
miles from San Juan. y few hours ago the
indications were that Spain had decided not
~ Il CoiiIilCl btl"ttAi nv S4-iHE' -
war and those of the United States. and
that Admiral Sampson would not have an
opportunity to carry out his orders to meet
and destroy the cruisers sent westward
from Portugars islands off Africa.
Meanwhile Admiral Sampson. with good
fortune and unexceptionable ability, has
succeeded in carrying out the alternative
of his orders. Thus by an unexpected re-
versal of the order of things the American
vessels arr provided with the bases of op-
erations that might have belonged to the
Spanish admiral had he crossed the ocean
more speedily.
Orders have been issued to Admiral
Sampson to find and destroy the Spanish
squadron. This insures a battle between
four heavy armored cruisers accompanied
by several torpedo boats and torpedo-boat
6estroyers on the Spanish side. and two
first-ciass battle ships. an armored cruiser.
two monitors. three small cruisers and sew
eral auxiliary ships and torpedo boats on
the american side. In point of armament
the American force is superior. The Span
ish squadron is capable of greater speed
owing 10 the presence of the two slow but
powerful monitors Terror and Amphitrite
in the American fleet.
Meanwhile the flying squadron has sailed
Hampton Roads, which is 1,2SO miles
from Porto Rico The destination of this
squadron, which consists, as far as can be
ascertained. of the battle ships Massachu-
setts and Texas, the cruisers Brooklyn,
Minneapol and New Orleans and the aux
Hilary cruiser st. Paul, is of course un-
known. The naval authorities are not TAX
ing the public into their confidence just
now 10 the extent of disclosing their vital
plans. The Texas is about the slowest ship
in the squadron If she can maintain fif-
teen knots an hour. which will be a fast
speed Tor her at sea. il will require just
three full days of steaming to get the
squadron to Porto Rico. At twelve knots
ii will require three and three-fourths days
Meanwhile the Sampson squadron will prob
ably have engaged the enemy.
1t is thus likely that the flying squadron
Is designed in this emergency as a reserve
force. 10 aid the blOckading ships in Cuban
waters or TO insure the occupancy of San
Juan. perhaps TO cut off the retreat of the
enemy, if the battle should not result in his
complete destruction. Ship for ship, the
lying squadron is a fair match for the
Cape Verde fleet. but the former, again. is
faster. provided a coal supply is at hand