New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-05-26
TIE GAME AT SANTIAGO.

The hunters appear to have trapped the game.
Admiral Ceryera's swift and powerful feet, OF
which so great things were expected ny 'he
Standards, and Of which not little was reared
by some Americans, is credibly reported TO De
still In the harbor Of Santiago and aitogcther
likely to remain there until it emerges under the
Stars and Stripes For the American meet Is
inst outside the narrow gateway, ready 10 Ell
gage with deadly effect any Spanish ship that
ventures out In open water. where all coulo
fight at once and gain whatever advantage their
superior speed gives them. the Spanish ships
would be no match for those under Adlnlrai
Sampson or Commodore Schey. Coming out
one by one through that narrow passage they
would have no chance Of victory at all. They
would be disposed Of as are the game beasts AT
q roynl battue. when a hundred head are driven
one by one through narrow passage close 10
where the royal hunter stands with supply or
Guns and lot of servants to keep them loaded
WHY the Spanish commander ever went into
that harbor IL not clear unless some OF his ships
were disabled and unable TO proceed further
As we have already pointed out. he could not
thus raise the blockade for Santiago was never
blockaded He could not relieve Havana, FOR
the two places are separated by hundreds OF
miles of country controlled by the Insurgents
Possibly he could get a little coal there. though
that ia doubtful He could not get his ships re-
paired there, for Santiago is not equipped with
facilities for doing such work. The presump-
ton. come to by q process Of elimination, Is
therefore that his ships rot out of COAL or other
wise in distress. and had to put into the nearest
friendly port they could find. And there, as
might have been expected they were discovered
II. t<xttnv
probability Of a repetition Of the story OF Ma
Mia, with some little and benefcent variation
For II would really be pity to serve Admi-
raj Cervera's feet as Admiral Monto1os was
served. There are four splendid ships In It They
are Just the kind Of ships we want, and they are
worth about S3OO0O0O apiece. 1t would De 100
bad to have to destroy them. II they can only
be starved into surrender, or otherwise uKeh
without smashing and sinking them, they Will
form a most acceptable addition to our navy
and 20 some little way toward repaying us the
cost of the war which Spain has forced upon us.
Our naval commanders can, OF course, be trusted
TO take this into account and to act IN all things
according to the dictates Of prudence and the
National welfare. 1t looks as II they were fully
worthy to be trusted. few days ago their
landsmen critics. who never smeled salt water
save from the deck Of Hoboken ferrypoat'
were berating them for their cuinsiness IN let
ting the Spaniards outwit them. 1t now seems
that no such thing has occurred On the con-
trary, our commanders. with slower ships. have
trapped the Spaniards In their own harbor with
neatness and completeness. Whether they Will
90 In and fight them. or Will blockade the port
and starve them into submission or, ms has been
suggested, will block the narrow gateway by
sinking in 1t hulk or two laden with stone, and
so be able 10 spare for other use the ships that
would otherwise be needed to guard the place
or adopt some other course not yet even spoken
of. there is every reason for continued conf
dence In the Government and its naval officers.
and in their competence to conduct the cam
paign in the best possible way.