The evening times., 1898-05-04
GONE TO STOP THE OREGON.
Rear Admiral Ghcrardrs Theory Of
the spanish Fleets Destination.


New York. May 4-Some phases OF the
war with Spain were freely discussed by
Rear Admiral Gherardi, L. S. N. retired
with a reporter at his home in East
Thirty-third street yesterday. Ii was the
first time the famous naval officer had
spoken fer publication since the outbreak
of hostilities. Referring 10 Commodore
Deweys brilliant victory at Manila lac
said:
Dewey has done wonders. His VIC
tory at Manila was a splendid piece OF
work President Mckinley should recon-
mend to Congress the adoption of a spe-
cial vote Of thanks TO Dewey.
What will be done by Admiral Samp-
son i'm Cuba? ] have no idea OF course.
he will do just what the authorities at
Washington tell him to do. l do not see
what benefit is TO accrue frem lombard
ing Havana unless the city is invested by
land force. Bombardment is not cap
ture. ] read that il Is the intention TO
establish base Of supplies at Cardenas
1 cannot believe that / am quite Ia
miliar with the Cuban coast and l dc
not think Cardenas is the place TO select
1t is shoal water there
I'm your opinion, what is the destina-
tiOn and purpose OF Admiral kiilamil ;
feet that sailed from Cape Kerde?' o.
Il have reasoned that point out" was
the reply, "and 1t is my candid opinion
that II sailed to intercept the battleshp
Oregon and gunboat Marietta At this
time the Oregon is a very important
quantity. Spain realizes that, and viii
do all she can to prevent her arrival in
American waters. That would be my
policy il / was situated as the Spaniards
are. Certainly, under similar circum-
stances. that is what Great Britain,
France or Germany would do. The Ore
gon is in a perilous position. In view of
the absence Of definite information of the
intention Of the Spanish fleet our naval
authorities are literally hanging between
heaven ana earth. II they should dis
patch re-enforcements to the oregon il
might turn out that the Spanish fleet
would suddenly appear in some unex-
pected place and there might be disas-
trous results.
'Nillamil has some excellent material
in his squadron. That fact cannot be
overlooked. Still If he should intercept
dhe Oregon the latter would give him
very hard battle. II would practically be
a case Of six against one, because the
Marietta is too small to be of much use
She might. however, succeed in destroy
ing some Of the Spanish torpedo boats
Now. you see" and here the admiral
made a rough sketch. If the Villamil
fleet encountered the Oregon the Spanish
cruisers can attack him from both sides.
At the same time the torpedo boats
might be in a position to do a great deal
of damage. If the NictherOy is with the
Oregon and is equipped with armament
and ammunition il might make a mate
rial difference. II a battle occurs off the
Brazilian coast you may make up Your
mind that Spain will be minus several
boats before il is over"
Have you any idea. Admiral. that the
Spaniards will make any descent on the
Atlantic Coast?'
Il hardly think so. Her ships would
be at a great disadvantage. They would
be much in the same position that our
vessels would be in should we sail to
Spain and lombard cities there. Each
vessel would be too far away from a
base of supplies"