The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-05-14
A Great
BATTLE IS
At HAND.
Continued from First Page)

to the great embarrassment Of our FORCES
The subject is one that viii come IN for
investigation in the future, as well as
other facts connected with the treatment
Of the Spanish ships in West Indian ports
which are nominally operating slrlCuy
under the neutrality laws.
Ii is suggested that the Spanish squad
ron has been lying in wait for the ore
Cou. which sailed on the 18th from Bahia
Brazil to join Sampson, in company with
the Marietta. and the reported activity
of the Spanish torpedo boat destroyers
In running in and out Of Martinique
seems to show that they are being used
as scouts to give the rest Of the squad
ron notice Of the approach OF the Ameu-
can battle ship. If so. the mission will
be fruitess, for. having discovered the
whereabouts Of the Spanish force, Samp-
son will carry out his orders TO destroy
their ships II he can reach Them. The
fact that the Spanards were headed yes
terday toward the westward would, on
the surface Indicate that they were
bound for the south coast Of Cuba but
warsh.ps in these circumstances try TO
mislead Observers ashore.
NEWS OF SPANS SQUADRON.
Secretary Longs information that the
Martinlue caused a decided sensation
throughout naval circles. as this brought
close 10 Admiral SIMPSONS Squadron
formidable collection Of SPANS strongest
and most modern vessels IL is this fleet
which was reported a few days ago 10 be
lying in Cadiz. Evidently the latter re-
port was inspired by Spanish officials as
a means OF confusing the operations Of
the American strategists. Martinique
is one OF the outposts OF the West Indies
and IS the natural point al which the
Spanish fleet. coming from Cape Verde
would first make a landing. The fleet
must now pass the French Island Of
Guadaloupe 70 the west. the Danish ISL
and Of ST. Thomas, a little further west,
and then its course Is open 10 Porto Rico
unless Admiral SIMPSONS feet engages
them before that move il made.
THE FLEETS COMPARED.
II Sampson should find the Spanlards In
a nghting humor he would have the best
Of IT, as far as chances can be estimated
from a simple calculation Of the respec-
live number of armored ships and guns.
The big ships Indiana and Iowa. though
! . per cent. slower than the Vizcaya class
far overmatch them in offensive and de-
fensive power. The armor belts and tur-
IT'S could not b pierced at fighting range
OF . 900 yards by the biggest gun mounted
BY the Spaniards. while the twelve and
| thrteen-inch guns OF our battleships
could p6rforate the Spanish armor belts.
| The New York, however Is INFERIOR IN
| both offensive power and armor to the
| Spanish vessels. though she might hold
her own by superior management and
| gunnery.
| II Sampson has taken his whole meet
the monitors Amphitrite and Terror would
make up more than a balance OF power
against the Spaniards. allowing the cruis-
e~s Montgomery. Detroit and Marbleheac
as a force sufficient TO take care OF tne
| Spanish torpedo boat destroyers ne
! latter. however. are almost untried els
ments I'm actual warfare. and some nava
officers fear that they are much more
| dangerous foes than the ordinary strate
eists allow i'm their calculations.