Evening star., 1898-05-24
Report That Sampson Has Destroyed
the Spanish Fleet.
FIGHT IN TEE YlHDWARD PASSAGE
Other Rumors Discredit This, But
Say Fleet isl Located.
SAID TO BE IN SANTIAGO

LONDON, May 24-Persistent rumors
were in circulation here early today to the
effect that a great naval battle has been
fought In the vicinity of the Windward
Passage, between the eastern end Of Cuba
and the western part of Haiti, in which
both the American squadrons closed in on
the Spanish Cape Verde squadron, COM
manded by Admiral Cervera, and complete
ly destroyed the Spanish ships.
A dispatch from Kingston. Jamaica to
Reuters Telegram Company yesterday
evening said nothing was known there of
the reported battle in the Windward Pas
sage, adding that no American or Spanish
warshfps have visited Jamaican ports since
the beginning of the war
The London newspapers take 1t for grant
ed that the ships reported yesterday by
Lloyd's at Para. Brazil, as having arrived
at o'clock on Monday morning from Rio
Janeiro. are the Oregon. the Marietta and
the Nictheroy.
Battle RumOr Denied.
BY Associated Press.
KEY WEST. Fla, May A.-The move
ments Of the United States fleet which are
known here make 1t absolutely certain no
battle has yet occurred, but an engage
ment IS expected to take place this week.
The Spanish fleet has been definitely .4lo-
Gated
Every preparation has been made by the
United States naval authorities for destroy
Ing the Spanish feet which is known to be
off the Island Of Cuba. All signs point to a
decisive battle some day this week. The
hospital ship Solace and her surgeons were
ordered long ago to be ready for service at
a MON nt's notice, but no fresh orders have
been issued.
Activity at Key West.
Special Dispatch to The Evening Star.
KEY WEST, Fla, May 24.-Great ac
tivity prevailed in naval circles here last
night. the general impression being that
the most critical point in the Cuban naval
campaign had been reached. The impress
SION here Is that battle will Immediately be
given to the Spanish fleet at Santiago de
Cuba by the combined fleets of Rear A1-
n iral Sampson and Commodore Schley.
Other authorities. believe that a move
ment near Havanai,is on the tapis, and
that hasty invasion has been ordered.
A foreign naval officer, who has been in
Cuban waters, has expressed his opinion
that a movement will not take place for
scme time yet. Three Cu5ans picked up
rear Havana yesterday arrived here this
morning.
Cervera AT Santiago.
NEW YORK, May 24.-A Key West cor
respondent telegraphs p to the Evening
World that he has information from an
unimpeachable authority that the Spanish
feet is still at Santiago.
A special from Key West to the Com
mercial Advertiser, says:
Key West has not been SO deserted by
warships for weeks as it is this morning.
1t will never be complained that vessels
were kept inactive when there was pros
pect Of a fight.
Nothing is heard of an immediate occu-
patton Of Cuba. Everything depends op
SIMPSONS and Schley's movements.
Where Can Cervera Bet
MADRID, May 24-It is officially an
nounced that the squadron Of Admiral Ger
vera was still at Santiago de Cuba yester-
day
Copyright, 1893. by Associated Press)
PORT AU PRINCE, Hayti. May 24.-Ac-
cording to current rumor here the Spanish
Cape Verde squadron. commanded by Ad-
miral Cervera, which arrived recently at
Santiago de Cuba subsequently sailed from
that port, destination unknown.
LONDON, MAY 24.-A special dispatch
from Madrid today says:
Evidently the program in regard to the
Philippine Islands has been changed. 1t is
believed here that there will be no i'm
mediate engagement in Cuban waters, but
that Admiral Cervera will draw of the
enemy while the Cadiz feet relieves Ha-
vana.'