The herald., 1898-04-23
STILL LIES SAFELY OFF CAPE
VERDE ISLANDS
THE ENGINEERS ARE PRUDENT
And Disabled the Machinery to Avoid
the Danger Of Crossing the
Atlantic Ocean
Associated Press Special Wire

may be the purpose of the Spanish govern
ment as to the disposition of this fleet is
not vet known, but the belief among high
officials is that the Spaniards will hest
tate before sending the pick of their navy
into American or Cuban waters. 1t must
be realized. it is said, that, cut off from
a coal supply, they would be at great dis
advantage and would run a great risk OF
total annihilation. Nor is 1t believed that
Captain-General Blanco will be in a hurry
to precipitate conflict, and therefore ii
is not expected that Captain Sampson S
fleet will have very much to do during the
next few days but to prevent supplies from
entering Havana.
Nevertheless it is believed that hostili-
ties will not be delayed longer than neces-
sary to get our army within supporting
distance. When that is accomplished our
navy will not delay an hour, but will at
tack the fortifications.
Not Courting Danger
GALVESTON, Tex, April 22.-The
British steamer Astoun, Captain Barnett
arrived this morning from Las Palmas,
Grande Canary, one of the Canary island
group.
| Captain Barnett arrived at Las Palmas
March 81, two days after the Spanish tor
pedo flotilla left that port. He was re-
liably informed that the machinery of sew
eral torpedo boats and torpedo boat de-
stroyers was purposely disabled in pltr-
suance of plot by the engineers They
did not relish the trip across the ocean in
torpedo boats, and finding the Spanish
government determined to make them so,
as a last resort, crippled the machinery.
None of the engineers were allowed to
repair, all work being done in local shop
at Las Palmas.
| Captain Barnet says the torpedo f1otilla
did not want to encounter United States
fleet if it could be avoided. They will
likely keep out of the track of our vessels,
and may content themselves with picking
up an occasional prize. The torpedo flo
tila left Las Palmas March 90, and their
destination was unknown.
A disabled American barkentine at Las
Palmas from Philadelphia was undergo
ing repairs by Spanish dry dockmen, but
| the latter were delaying the work in the
hope of seizing her upon the outbreak of
war. Her captain is Mr. McDonough.
He carried crew of nine men. and his
wife is with him. Great crowds of Span
iards would gather about the American
captain, and insult the United States and
it's flag. The only Americans at Las
Palmas are the captain and those on board
the ship. Captain Barnett expresses fear
for their safety.
Prudent Engineers
ST. LOUIS, April 22.-The following dis
patch has just been received at the Asso-
ciated Press office in this city from the
Tribune, Galveston, Texas:
1T is reported by Captain Barnes, CT
| the British steamer Astoun, which arrived
here today from Los Palmas. Canary Is
lands, that the delay of the Spanish tor
pedo fiotilla which was attributed to rough
seas, was in fact due to the deliberate dis
abling of the engines by the engineers who
did not want to cross the sea. Repairs, 1t
was stated, were made by local machinsts
as the engineers could not be trusted"
Carlos Courage
BRUSSELS, April 22.-The New York
| World correspondent called on Don Carlos
| at his hotel and obtained the following
declaration from him:
"If the Carlists had been in power in
Spain war would have been inevitable two
| years ago. But Spain has erred on the
side of generosity and chivalry and has
| thus gone lengths hardly compatible with
national honor.
1.-THE United States has taken advantage
of this attitude and has utilized the inter-
val in strengthening her fleet.
''But we Spaniards are tough fighters
and enter the contest fearless of conse-
quences. We thank the Holy Father for
| his kind offices, but the time has passed
for intervention and the final catastrophe
| is now inevitable
| The World correspondent has expressly
asked for the reply to the question whether
Don Carlos would under all circumstances,
through his sympathizers with Spain, sup
port the present government against
America. but on that crucial point he pre-
served a significant silence.
The pretender's sudden removal from
Ostend to Brussels has excited much COM
ment His intention is believed to have
been to go on visit to Earl Ashburnham,
his chief supporter in England, but owing
to popular indignation in Spain at Eng
lands attitude in the present crisis he was
advised that such visit would be impoli-
| tic. He therefore went to Brussels in
stead.
The Coal Question
have asked Italy not to declare coal con.
traband of war. Her request may not be
granted.
Still Talking
MADRID, April %, noon.-The Queen
Regent had long conference today with
General Weyler and the European dip
lomats had frequent conferences with the
Minister for Foreign Affairs.
Guarding Against Danger
LONDON, April 22-The British admiral
| ty has ordered that bills of lading of all
| ships carrying naval stores shall be accom-
panied by certificates showing the stores
are government property in order to pre-
vent the possibility of their confiscation.
French Aid for Spain
PARIS, April o. Spanish financier
has subscribed $4,000 towards the fund
which the Embassy of Spain has raised
to strengthen the fleet of that country.
The Spanish Reserves
MADRID, April %, a. ma royal decree
has been gazetted, calling out 30 900 men of
the reserves of 1897.
Spanish Strategy
LONDON, April o2-Admiral Sir George
Elliott, *. c. B., late commander-in-chief
at Portsmouth, has given to the New York
World correspondent the following signed
statement of his anticipations of the prob
able naval strategy of Spain:
II think that the strategy of Spain will
be to allow the United States fleet to at