The San Francisco call., 1898-05-10

NEW YORK, May o-The Herald's Washington correspondent telegraphs; Having definite information that the Spanish fleet which left St Vincent ten days ago is not at the Canaries or at Cadiz, the authorities confidently pre- dict that Rear-Admiral Sampson will engage 1t in battle within the next forty-eight hours. In this event the battle will occur in the vicinity of San Juan.
 There are two other points at which the enemy may first make its appear ance-in the track of the battle-ship Oregon and her consorts. the gunboat Marietta and the cruiser Nicthe-oy, which arrived to-day at Bahia. Brazil, or along the North Atlantic coast of the United States. But the necessity of securing coal will compel it to ulti- mately proceed to its base in Porto Rico. and there 1t will fin awaiting It its fate in the shape of division ot the North Atlantic squadron under com mand of Rear-Admiral Sampson.
 This has been a day of exciting ru- mors at the Department. It was posi- lively announced at the close ot ot1ce hours that there has been no engaee-@ nent as reported: that the Montgomery had not been pursued by the Spanish cruiser Nizcaya, and that consequently Rear-Aduiral Samos on's fleet and none of it's members had been destroyed.
 That startling news is expected mo- mentarily is shown by the tension ex- isting in official circles. Confident that Admiral Sampson with the force at his disposal will be able to crush the Spanish squadron, the Naval War Board, which was in session to-day, did not concern itself so much with h1s movements as with plan to be adopt ed to secure the safety of the battle-ship Oregon and the vessels accompanying her. As soon as the announcement ot the arrival of the battle-ship at Bahia. Brazil, was received at the Department from Captain Clarke, her commanding officer, the matter was at once referred to the board, and as the result ot its deliberations there is reason to believe that instructions have been sent to Cap tain Clarke for his observance. The board for the first time was assisted in it's deliberations by Captain A. l. Ma han. retired, who reported to Secretary Long this morning and was immediately assigned to duty with the board.
 What instructions have been given to Captain Clarke 1t is impossible to learn. In any event the neutrality pro- claimed by Brazil will only permit of his stay in Brazilian waters until to- morrow. when he will resume his four nev north. It is highly ~robable that the Oregon will not touch at any other Brazilian ports, but will proceed at once to join Rear-Admiral Simpsons fleet. while the Mariet-n and the Mic theroy will continue to Key West or Norfolk.
 From tomorrow on the Oregon and her consorts will be in grave danger. If lying in wait for the American men of-war 1t is believed that the Spanish ships will station themselves under the lee of the island of Fernando No ronha, to the eastward of Cape San Roque, and from there conduct their operations. It was recalled to-day that Rear Admiral J, C. Walker, retired. when a member of the War Board. strenuously urged that force be sent to join the Oregon, but his advice was not accepted
 The official view tonight is that the Spanish fleet is at some point in the Windward Islands, which are to the i south of Porto Rico If that be so their presence will shortly be reported 1 by the American scouts which are pa