Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-05-20

the Spanish fleet will then make dash for
Havana. Some good authorities are thor
oughly convinced that AGmiral Cervera's
fleet, not being strong enough to give bat
tie in the open and not daring to return to
Spain without striking & blow, designs to
get into Havana harbor and to lie be-
hind the Notifications on the defensive.
without attempting any aggressive move
whatever beyond joining in the defense of
Havana. Little doubt is felt that the sole
object of the feet is to get into Havana
harbor. which would be it's safest position
while relieving and strengthening Blancos
forces
Considered by the War Board.
If the Spanish fleet Is at Santiago de Cuba
the fact was probably not officially known
to the Navy Department this morning, al
though the officials have the machinery of
the consular service, in addition to the serv
ices of numerous scouting vessels to get
and keep track of the elusive foe. The war
board went into session early in the day,
probably to consider and weigh the news
paper reports as to the movements of the
on that point came from Mardid was in it
self regarded as a suspicious circumstance,
for it is hardly to be supposed that the
Spaniards are such simple strategists to
advise US of their plans in that manner. The
other report regarded as confirmatory of
the Madrid cable. namely that from the
steamer Adula. upon close reading failed
to indicate whether the wa-ships seen from
that vessel We're American or Spanish. AL
together the general belief at the depart
ment was that the whereabouts of the
Spaniatds is still open to doubt.
Cubnns Credit the Report.
While the reports from Madrid that the
Spanish squadron is at Santiago are re-
ceived with some misgiving, yet the off,
Gals of the Cuban delegation here con-
sider the reports accurate, as they bear
out what these officials pointed out when
the Spanish fleet first reached Martinique
as tie probable course the Spanish admiral
would take. Bang we'll acquainted with
the Cuban coast, its facilities for landing,
provisioning defense. etc, Secretary Que
soda said at the outset that Admiral Ger
vera would seek to elude the American
fleets. and by d circuitous route would
make fer Santiago. This, Mr.. Quesada
pointed out, was the natural move by
which the Spanish admiral would escape
battle and would be most secure in making
a landing on Cuban soil.
Ccrvcra Handicapped.
But Mr.. Quesada said today that the
Spanish admiral would find himself serious
ly handicapped at Santiago. 1t will be use
less for him to attempt to land provisions
and supplies to succor Blanco at Havana,
as there is no railroad communication be-
tween SAINTS. go and Havana, and an over
land trip would take six weeks or two
months. Besides, Mr.. Quesada says. the
Cuban troops ovorrun the eastern end of
the island surrounding Santiago, and 1t
would be impossible for Spanish supplies to
be carried overland through country full
of Cuban bands. There are said to be
about 5000 Cuban troops in the immediate
neighborhood of Santiago, but reports re-
Gently brought to the Cuban officials hero
show that tie forces around Santiago lack
ammunition sufficient for an effective as
sault on Santiago. If the Spanish fleet is
in truth at Santiago, Mr.. Quesada says,
about all it can accomplish is to secure q
base of operations in a fairly well fortified
harbor and also to lay in coal from GOLFERS
which are understood to have preceded tho
fleet there.