The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-06-11

She Relies Upon Their strategy and Abil-
ity at Santiago and Cadiz.-o One Was Pro-
! NOTED by Royal Favor and the other
Earned His Rank by Merit.
Spain has now arrived at that condi-
tion where she bases her only hope and
places her dependence alone upon two
men, by whose strategy and ability she
| expects to be able to cope with SO for
midable power as the United States
| These two men are Admiral Cervera
commander of the Cape Verde squadron,
now in Santiago harbor, and Admiral
Camara, commander of the Cadiz feet,
which is now being placed In condition,
and is expected soon to sail either for
Cuba or for the Philippines. Upon
these two men Spain places her reliance
and stands or falls as they stand or fall
She has no other commanders, either in
her army or navy, who are the equals
Of Cervern and Camara.
Pascual de Cervera y Torpete Conde
de Jerez, Marquis de Santa Ana, is the
somewhat long name and title OF the
Spanish admiral In command of the
Cape Verde feet which is soon to be
captured and destroyed by Sampson and
Schley. Cervera is nephew of Admiral
Torpete, one of the old time admirals Of
the Spanish navy, and probably in his
time tho best known naval man in Spain,
for his fame extended beyond the bor-
ders Of his cwn country. He was the
leader Of the revolt in Jerez, Spain, in
1868, which took place at the height of
his career.
His mantle fell upon the present
Spanish admiral. Cervera is now 65
years old. He was born in the province
of Jeres. His father was man of large
wealth and owned several estates in the
province and was known as one Of tho
richest wine merchants Of Spain. His
mother was Marie Torpete, daughter
Of Count Torpete y valle Of the royal
family Of Spain. They belonged to the
aristocracy, and their son was afforded
all of the advantages which wealth and
position could secure for him. He was
graduated from the naval academy of
San Fernando, Spain, and after his
graduation, in 1851, he was attached to
several different training ships and fur
ther prepared for naval warfare.
He experienced his first campaign in
1869 in the Spanish expedition which
was sent to Marocco, and for his serv.
ices was successfully promoted from on
sign TO first lieutenant He was next
sent out with an expedition i'm 1862 to
Cochin China. Spain then had a better
standing among the nations Of the world
than she has today, and it was counted
more OF an honor to be lieutenant In
her navy.
Cervera was next promoted to the
rank of captain and was placed in com.
mand of vessel and sent out to Peru,
where war was in progress. This was
in 1868. and he remained there until
two years later, when the Ten Years
war broke out in Cuba and Spain found
1t necessary to recall her feet from the
coast Of Peru to engage in blockading
the ports of Cuba and In patrolling the
coast to prevent the landing Of filibus-
tering expeditions which were carrying
supplies to the Cuhans.
Cervera was recalled from Cuba later
and made secretary Of the navy in the
Spanish cabinet When he retired from
that position, he was given the COM
mand Of the Pelayo, the first and only
first class battleship Spain ever built.
It's construction was undertaken and
carried on under the direction of Admi-
raj Cervera, who was raised to that rank
ten years ago. All Of his promotions
have come TO him because of his family
position and the fact that he is of royal
blood rather than by any service which
he ever performed for Spain. although
his ability and long experience In the
navy are not to be doubted
Cerven has been adjutant 70 the
queen regent, and several years ago was
at the head OF the Spanish naval COM
mission sent TO London to confer upon
naval matters with like commissions
from other powers. He holds 10 medals
which have been bestowed upon him by
the Spanish government, and Spain
counts him as not only her foremost
naval commander, but one of her lead
ers at all times and particularly In the
war with the United States.
Admiral Manuel de la Camara Liv-
ermoore. commander Of the fleet now mt
Cadiz, is 80 years old, and is also n
graduate Of the naval college of San
Fernando. He entered tho academy in.
1881, ut the time Uervera was leaving,
and was graduated four years later. He
is the son OF n marine captain, who, in