The herald., 1898-05-06
REPORTERS KEPT GUESSING ITS
DESTINATION
MAY BE BOUND FOR PORTO RICO
Schley's Squadron Strengthened in
Anticipation Of the Arrival Of the
Fleet From Spain
Associated Press Special Wire

WASHINGTON, May 5.-No confrma-
tion is obtainable of the various reports
concerning movements of Admiral Samp-
sons fleet Persons who, from their OFF,
cial position might be supposed to share
the confidence of the administration are
credited with the statement that the Ad-
miral has gone to seize Porto Rico, and
this statement is made after conference
with the executive. On the other hand, 1t
is asserted with almost equal positiveness
that the fleet has gone to meet the Oregon
and bring her in safety to the north. Still
another report is to the effect that the
Admiral has gone to seize Matanzas, to be
used as base of operations. The officials
refuse absolutely to make public the plan
of the Strategy Board and thus give aid to
the enemy. Therefore these conflicting
rumors as to the plans of the fleet can
only be judged in the light Of their proba-
bility when viewed in connection with the
usual methods of warfare. Thus to bonn
bard Matanzas without at the same time
being able to land a sufficient force to
seize and hold the place would seem to be
very bad strategy, and the fast that
SIMPSONS fleet was accompanied by no
troops or transports would seem to mega
tive the idea that he had gone either to
attack Matanzas or seize Porto Rico. To
attempt the latter would require strong
landing force in view of the number of
Spanish troops on the island, and in addi-
ton it may be suggested that Admiral
Sampson would be very loath to run the
risk of having one or more Of his best
ships completely disabled by attacking
forts needlessly and thus leave his fleet
inferior to the Spanish force.
A significant movement is the addition
of the warship New Orleans to Commodore
Schleys squadron at Hampton Roads in
place Of the Columbia. This seems to in
of the squadron, which, instead of being
a flying squadron in the ordinary sense,
has now assumed the character of bat
tie fleet. Without being as speedy as at
first organized. Commodore Schley's
squadron is probably now able to meet,
on even terms at least, the formidable
Spanish armored cruisers which sailed
from Cape Verde for an unknown destina-
ton. In view of this action of the depart
ment, and particularly If Schley should be
reinforced by some torpedo vessels, it
may be assumed that he is about to start
in quest of the Spanish squadron.
Chief Engineer Harris Webster, MEM
ber of the naval recruiting board which
has been gathering material for the per-
sonnel of the navy in the West and South,
arrived at the Navy Department this
morning. He is just from the Norfolk
Navy Yard, where he landed 1O4 good men
who had been enlisted by the board. Com
mander Hawley and DR.. Pearsons, the
other members of the board, with Boats
vain Larkin, late of the Maine, an at
tendant, have arrived in Detroit, where
they will tomorrow open recruiting head
quarters.
The Spanish Squadron
NEW YORK, May 5.-A special to the
Herald from Washington says:
Spain's Atlantic fleet is not to be al
lowed to reach Porto Rico or to approach
the coast of the United States.
Rear Admiral Sampson has perfected
plans for meeting the enemy on the high
seas and giving battle at time and place
of his own choosing The successful issue
of this battle may depend in large measure
upon the Spanish admiral being kept in
profound ignorance of the intention of the
American commander and being given the
least pOSSlDle TIME III WnlCn TO escape or
to prepare for battle. Consequently the
Secretary of the Navy and Rear Admiral
Sampson have kept the details Of the
plan of operations a profound secret, and,
as the time for the movement against the
Spanish ships draws near censorship Of
kilograms from Key West has been estab
lished. This makes 1t impossible to obtain
direct from Key West news of the move
ments Of the armored ships under the i'm
mediate command of Admiral Sampson.
All that is definitely known here is that
four Of the most powerful ships in Ad-
miral SIMPSONS command-the New York,
Indiana, Iowa and Puritan-were ready
for prolonged sea voyage yesterday
Their coal bunkers were filled to their
capacity and additional supplies Of coal
were carried in bags on deck. Two COL
liers carrying 5000 tons Of coal were ready
to accompany them to sea. Reports that
these vessels have sailed eastward to meet
the Spanish ships have not been confirmed
At the same time, Commodore Schley's
squadron at Hampton Roads. comprising
the Brooklyn, the Massachusetts and the
Texas, with two colliers, carrying 5000 tons
of coal, is ready to sail at a moments no.