The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-05-23

London. May 2S.-The Times this morn
ing, in an article reviewing the war.
/ takes it for granted that Admiral Ger
vera's squadron coaled in Venezuelan
waters from four British GOLFERS. It sug-
gests that the cruisers Vizcaya and In
fanta Maria Teresa risked disadvantage
in being reported there, in consideration
of their ability to send dispatches to
General Blanco and to have reJoined the
flagship at a prearranged rendezvous and
to have arrived at Santiago de Cuba on
the 18th. The Times says:
Even If il took a longer route to eS-
cape observation. Admiral Cervera's force
| has been excessively deliberate in its
movements, and his fast cruisers have not
yet shown great speed. His strategy, so
parent Possibly his movements are
hampered by the torpedo boats. but the
extreme slowness of his ocean steaming
destroys his chances of dealing an eff
fective blow at Key West. Tampa, or at
blockading force, denuded of its most
efficient force by Admiral Simpsons abor-
tive raid on San Juan de Porto Rico.
The high speed of the Spanish cruiser
squadron so far has not been turned
totally to account, and although its ar
rival at Santiago de Cuba may have some
moral value in assuring the Cuban gar
rlsonS that they are not abandoned, no
tanned.
The United States commanders now
know where the enemy is and has had
time to concentrate a superior force and
to cover their vulnerable points,
CHANCE TO ESCAPE.
Discussing the problem of blockade of
Admiral Cervera at Santiago de Cuba
or an attempt 10 force him to give battle.
the Times article says:
The United States commanders pos
sesses ample forces, but night and the
speed of the Spanish cruisers will give
them chances to escape The result will
watched inf ID
lenses of Santiago are probably no more
effective than those of Manila.
TO take the United States cruisers into
this harbor in the face of a powerful
fire from Cervera's force. would be a
risky operation. but torpedo hotilla If
1t existed in either fleet, might find OPP
portunities for effective employment"
If Admiral Cervera succeeds in getting
to sea and obtaining coal, he will I'M
questionably hamper the Cuban block
ade, although he can obtain no direct adj
vantage.
FAST SQUADRON NEEDED.
1T is evident that the monitors greatly
delay Admiral SIMPSONS squadron. Such
an incumbrance possesses heavy dis
abilities on the American fleet and fast
squadron capable of pursuing the Span
iards II they leave the port. is urgently
needed. Failing such a force. There APP
pears to be no reason why Admiral
Cervera should not steam to San Juan de
Porto Rico. coal and go to sea again be-
AOic Hc De ONtrIdken. A recent re-
port confirms the existence of large
quantity of coal at San Juan; and if
Admiral Cervera can avail himself of this
supply. and leave behind his torpedo
craft. he would be able to reach Charles
ton or Savannah without difficulty.
"A raid on either OF these points would
have no important results, but il would
gravely interfere with the operations of
the blockade. Reviewing the whole field
of operations. the most important lesson
Is the effect produced by the presence of
a small compact. high speed squadron.
which, however. hitherto has been some
what aimlessly employed.
From the moment when it was known
that this squadron had arrived off
Martinique, all the plans of the United
States board of strategy were disar-
ranged. BY undertaking a bombardment
of the Notifications at San Juan. nothing
was gained. The United States has been
by the lact of fast, homo
geneous squadron.
1T would be wise in future. to leave
the direction of the operations to naval
commanders. Councils have never proved
capab BILE directors of war. Their proper
function is TO obtain information and 10
forward it TO the admirals. who must be
as Nelson claimed the right to be. free |
to act when the fitting opportunity ar
rived"