The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-05-30
FAKE STORY OF NAVAL BATTLE
HOW THE AMERICAN FLEET
WAS DESTROYED.
A Sample of yellow Journalism at
Madrid-Tells How the Spaniards
Annihilated SIMPSONS Squadron

Madrid. May %, p. MEL Progresso
publishes dispatches purporting to come
from Paris, giving details of an alleged
battle near Jamaica, in which it is said
two American warshiDs were destroyed
and one Spanish warship was injured
Although the account is very circum-
stantial as to time, place. incidents and
cion. The story is that Commodore
Schley's squadron parted with hear Ad-
miral SIMPSONS off Cape Maysi; the
eastern point of Cuba, and steered to-
ward Yucatan peninsula. followed closely
by SIMPSONS ships Both were slgnted
from the watch tower of Santiago de
Cuba.
Rear Admiral Sampson arrived off the
province of Puerto Principe, continuing
thence in the direction of Jamaica Ad-
miral Cervera left Santiago Thurscay,
Nav 26 at midnight. all his lights being
extinguished, with the Nizcaya and the
Almirante Oquendo. preceded by the tor
position in proximity TO Jamaica Two
hours later the remainder of Admiral
Ceryera's squadron withdrew from the
harbor of Santiago and proceeded in
On the morning of Friday. the Furor
came uD rapidly to the Nizcaya and the
Almirante Oquendo, advising Admiral
Cervera of the approach of the enemy:
Rear Admiral SIMPSONS ships steamed
with full speed towards the spanish yes
sells. which accepted combat, but moved
"a
ton with the remainder of the spanish
/ squadron. Presently the battle ragged ~
/ riously on both sides. The Americans De
! tached three cruisers and three snalier
| ships to surround the Vizcaya and the Al
| mirante OcuendO The Furor, between
| the cross fire of the enemy, made for the
| American flagship. notwithstanding the
/ fire of the heavy guns
| The outcome of the contest was that
/ two American warshlps were sunk anu
! one SPANISH warShip disabled in its steer
I ha remaining vessels OF the
| American squadron were so much DAM
/ aped that they were compelled 10 take
refuge in Haytien waters 60,
1 It is reported that the Cr1StooaI Colon
| caDtured an American ship which had
| been disabled from a shot by the N1zcaya
that perforated her side
| The ViZcaya riSked destruction from an
| American destroyer
1t is believed that after the combat the
/ SDaniards sailed for Havana, or II tne
! conditions of the vessels or the DreSence
! of a superior force of the enemy required,
/ took refuge within Car6enas or Matanzas-
I The publication of this dispatch from
Paris caused an excited discussion OF the
conflicting reports from various sources.
I which completely absorbed all secuons
of the press and all circles of the public
IL SnaaEine TODAY of yesterdays rumors
of the defeat of the Americans and the
death of Rear Admiral Sampson, Captain
| Aunon the minister of marine. without
crediting it. in the absence of official in
Formation. remarked that IL was within
! the limits of possibility. II is hoDed
that the result of today's cabinet council
will disclose information confirming or
denying the report
AN IMPOSSIBLE FAKE.
Washington May 29.-The Associated
Press from Madrid. giving an account OF
a naval battle between the combined
squadron of Sampson and Schley and
that of Cervera is absolutely discredited
by naval officials. Their advices show that
il is not possible that the fight could have
I occurred.