Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1898-05-27
Navy Department Says With Authority Cervera is Bottled Up
at Santiago de Cuba.
A MESSAGE FROM scHLEY OFF CIENFuEGos.
Arrangements for Prosecuting the War Vigorously When the
Fate Of the Phantom Fleet is Determined =

the commandment OF havana is immi-
nent.
Key West, Fla, May 27.-Defnite
news of the American squadrons in Gu
ban waters reached here yesterday
afternoon. Commodore Schley is be-
lieved to be off Santiago de Cuba to-
day. and definite information as to the
. exact situation in SO far as it affects
|. Admiral Cervera's squadron may be
expected today.
Rear Admiral Sampson is In a position
to proceed quickly to the assistance OF
Commodore Schley with any or all OF
his ships on receipt of definite word
from Commodore Schley. and at the
same time he remains within striking
distance OF Havana.
IT, however. Commodore Schley re-
ports Admiral Cervera bottled I'D at
Santiago de Cuba the naval view is tha,
he will be permitted to finish the busi-
ness at that point with the ships now
under his direct command.
Madrid, May Fit is currently re-
ported here that the Spanish govern
msnt has ordered all the Spanish steam
ers from 1000 tons up, capable of steam
ing minimum of twelve knots, to be
impressed as auxiliary cruisers. The
Spanish commanders at the various
ports. it is added, have been instructed
TO take charge of such steamers, wheth-
er mail boats or otherwise.
Washington. May 27.-Secretary Ions
said at the close of office hours yester-
day that no word had come from any of
the scouting vessels SO numerous In
west Indian waters concerning the
Spanish flying squadron, wherefore ne
concluded that Cervera was still in
| Santiago harbor. Supposedly Schley IS
lying outside watching the entrance to
prevent the egress Of the Spanish ves-
sells: but while there is evidence of a
certain kind on that fact there has
been no official confirmation OF it. This
Is a little remarkable. in view of the
fact that 1t is Cnly a days run for one
VI Schley's swift torpedo boats from
santiago TO a cable port in Hayti. There
us also curious lack of information
from newspaper dispatch boats on this
point II was supposed that the cersors
might have cut out any information as
TO the whereabouts of the fleets; bu,
why 1t should be done If Cervera is
bottled UP" is mystery to the civilian
Officiais Hunger for Confir nation.
Notwithstanding the officials profess
mistaken confidence in their original
belief that the Spanish squadron is
securely bottled up" in Santiago har.
Dor there is no concealment by them OF
| an intense desire to secure some abso-
lutely trustworthy information on that
| point. 1t Is not to be doubted that with
the question still open the beginning
or the military operations Is retarded
FOR as long as there exists a possibility
or the Spanish naval force being a.
large there Is an indisposition to star
the troop transports for Cuba. Proba.
bly, it was this uncertain state of affair:
/
consultation at the White House yester.
day between Secretaries Alger an(
Long. General Miles. and the member!
OF the naval war board-Admiral Sicard
Captain Crowninsheld and Captain
Mahan. As stated by one of the mem
bers OF the conference the purpose wa.
TO go over the whole situation. but wha
they said or did was not for publica
tion.
About the New Call for Troops.
In the rush of military preparation
the war department officials have no
been able to give much attention I,
the regulations for the procurement o
the 5000 additional volunteers callet
for by the president. 1t is still uncer
tain just how far the national authori
ties will so towards recruiting thes
forces themselves, nor is II positivel,
known that Independent organizations
companies, hattalions and regiment
raised by individuals will be accepte,
en- bloc. If by so doing ehe departmsn
is required to accept the officers witt
the men. Indeed, II is now uuestione
whether under the law the department
could. II it would. accept services of of
ficers under such conditions. as the gov
ernors of the states appear to be tn
only persons authorized to issue con,
p,iSSjors bpIovv 10 A.