The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1898-06-01
Bottled Up.

WASHINGTON, May 3O.-At 1890
clock this (Monday) morning the
navy department received dispatch
from Commodore Schley announcing
definitely that he had located Admiral
Cervera Cape Verde squadron in the
bay of Santiago de Cuba. The Com
modore states that ne has seen and
recognized the vessels cf the Spanish
feet.
While the naval officials have been
morally certain for several days that
Cervera $ squadron was in the harbor
of Santiago the official announcement
from Commodore Schley was received
by the officers on duty at the depart
ment with intense satisfaction. As
surauce is now doubly sure that the
Spanish feet is bottled and that the
cork is in the bottle. It is not be-
leved that Admiral Cervera will
| attempt to escape from the predica-
ment in which he finds his feet, as
such course would surely result In
the destruction of his vessels and the
loss of many lives precious to Spain.
The suggestion is made, however, that
the Spaniard may blow up his ships
rather than have them fall into the
ha IDS Of Schey, as they will if they
remain in the harbor.
! The de6niteness of Commodore
Schley'a dispatch would Indicate that
he has effected landing near Santiago
and made personal investigation of
F., the haroor. 1t would be impossible
from the entrance t, the bay definitely
to see and recognize the Spanish YES
sells, but by effecting landing at
some point on either side of the
entrance vantage point could be
gained very likely from which the
entrance of the harbor could be ex-
amined. In all probability Commo-
dore Schley or one of is trusted off :
GERS has successfully performed this
hazardous undertaking n order to
obtain the valuable information con-
tanned in his dispatch.
It is impossible. owing to the late
ness of the hour, to obtain any official
expression upon the news from Com
mudore Schley. What effect the
Ger ainty that Cervera is practically
helpless will have upon the plans Of
Administration with reference to the
invasion of Cuba can only be conjec-
tured. The -portation of the
island force to th. island, it is under
stood, was delayed because of the un-
certainty concerning the location of
the Spanish squadron. If that under
standing is currect the probability Of
an early invasion of Cuba is st ong.
1t is not unlikely that the movement
of the 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 secured substantial foothold
upon Cuban soil. The advices from
Commodore Schley indicate that he is
now and has been for several days
guarding the entrance to the bay of
Santiago de Cuba.
Commodore Schley has not only his
own squadron, but two or three ves
sells besides at his command, and it is
not believed to be possible for the
Spanish admiral to escape Nth his
feet either by day or by night.
No information is obtainable as to
the intentions Of Commodore Schley.
Whether he will endeavor to force an
entrance to the bay and seek battle
with the Spanish squadron is not
known, but such course at present
is not regarded as likely. 1t would
be better, in the opinion of some
naval officials, to keep Cervera and
his vessels SAT ly in the harbor, where
they are absolutely as useless az they
would be at the bottom of the sea.