Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1898-05-30

be inspired by Moret, late minister Of
the colonies, advocating peace, which
has attracted great attention, but the
discussions show as yet nothing tangi-
Bile.
Washington. May 30.-At 1880 o'clock
Monday morning the navy department
received a dispatch from Commodore
Schley announcing definitely that he
had located Admiral Cervera's Cape
Verde squadron in the bay of Santiago
de Cuba. The commodore states that
he has seen and recognized the vessels
Of the Spanish fleet. While the naval
| officials have been morally certain for
several days that Cervera's squadron
was in the harbor of Santiago, the Of
fetal announcement from Commodore
Schley was received by the officers on
duty at the department with intense
satisfaction. Assurance is now doubly
sure that the Spanish fleet Is bottled up
and that the cork is in the bottle. 1t is
not believed that Admiral Cervera will
in which he now finds himself as such
a course would surely result in the de-
struction Of his vessels and the loss of
many lives precious to Spain.
May Blow Up His Fleet.
The suggestion is made, however,
that the Spaniard may blow up his ships
rather than have them fall into the
hands of Schley. as they certainly will
| TX they remain in the harbor. The
def1niteness of Commodore Schley's dis
patch would indicate that he has ef-
fected a landing near Santiago and
made personal investigation of the
harbor 1t would be impossible from the
entrance to the bay definitely to see
and recognize the Spanish vessels, but
by effecting landing at some point on
either side of the entrance a vantage
point could he gained, very likely. from
which the entire harbor could be ex-
amined. In all probability Commodore
Schley OF one of his trusted officers
has successfully performed this hazard
Gus undertaking in order to obtain the
valuable information contained in his
dispatch.
Invasion of Cuba Probably Imminent.
What effect the certainty that Ger
vera is practically helpless will have
upon the plans of the administration
with reference to the invasion Of Cuba
can only be conjectured. The trans
portation OF land forces to the island,
II is understood was delayed because
Of the uncertainty concerning the loca-
ton Of the Spanish squadron. If that
1 IA ,1
OF an early invasion of Cuba is strong.
1t Is not unlikely that the movement
Of troops which has been delayed from
time to time, will begin this week. and
that before the end of the week the
United States forces will have obtained
a substantial foothold upon Cuban soil.
AGGRESSION WILL BE THE ORDER.
Gen. Shafter Instructed to Embark HI.
Corps at Tampa nj Once.
New York. May 30.-A specialdispatct
to The Tribune says: Orders have a,
last gone forward to Major Genera
Shafter at Tampa to embark the great.
er portion Of his corps. including all tht
regular and a few Of the most efficient
volunteer regiments on board the trans.
ports gathered at that place, and tn,
aggressive military movement which
has been 50 frequently predicted and a.
often delayed for one cause or anothel
will be an accomplished fact before tn,
end Of this week. The strongest unit
of Admiral Simpsons reorganize,
squadron will convoy the expedition,
and cover its landing at a point nov
definitely designated.