Daily Kennebec journal., 1898-05-31
About 10000 Men to Be Sent--Those Now Encamped a
Chckanauga to Be Moved Farther South
Maine Boys Arrive at CckaaugaCom Scey Be Reinforced
-Cervera Dares Not Show Himself
WHY CERv6RA WENT TO SANTIAGO.

Copyright, 1895, by The Associated Press )
Key West, May %o.-5.3o p. NJ
Every body knows now that Spain's
flying squadron. four splendid cruisers
and two torpedo boats destroyers is
imprisoned in Santiago harbor. This
fact has been known here IS hours and
the speculation now is over the prob
able disposition of the Spaniards
whether they will be blockalel or the
forts reduced and the vessels compelled
to fight
IN the latter case there can be but
one result; for Comodore Schley has
some of the finest ships in the world
TO say nothing of cruisers and various
smaller vessels, and could in few
days he reinforced by other powerful
Warships. 1t would be foolhardiness
on the part of Ceryera to offer battle
An Interesting story remains to ha
told Of the reasons which led Cervera
to Santiago and Of the way in which
he was hemmed in. 1t is now known
that when the Spanish admiral sailed
for the West Indies he expected to en-
ter San Juan de Porto Rico for coal
and supplies.
On touching a Curacao for news his
plans We're upset by the receipt of dis
patches telling him that Rear Admiral
Sampson had bombarded the San Juan
fortifcations and was still in the
neighborhood Of Porto Rico. There
upon Cervera sailed for the south coast
Of Cuba.
Why he entered Santiago harbor, in
stead of the harbor of Cienfucgos is
not known; but the American COM
manders were inclined to think the
Spaniards would go to the latter
1t is certain that Ce1vera could not
have escaped from Santiago without
being discovered. for the American
scouts had been prowling about the
port for 10 days and other scouts had
been not far away. Practically San
tiago has been blockaded for that
length Of time
Cervera's coal ship, which followed
him from Curacao TO Santiago was
captured, last Wednesday. and at the
very moment when the Queen Regent
was cabling her congratulations the
coils We're Tightening about him.
The belief here is that all other
movements in the West Indies will be
held in allegiance until the Spanish
squadron is disposed Of. In ease San
tiago is attacked the news of battle
viii be sent from Mole St. Nicholas
and Kingston and the prizes and
wounded will be sent to Key West
The movements of vessels here, today,
were unimportant.
The British steamer Restormel was
brought in here. this morning. under her
own steam. by prize crew. She was cap
tured by the St Paul. under the very
guns of Moro Castle at Santiago de
Cuba. at A. NJ, on May %. She carried
2ioO tons of best Welsh coal from Cardiff,
for Admiral Cervera's feet.
The Restormel was built at Newcastle
in 1882 She has gross tonnage of $500,
is 2s4 feet long, has sc feet, inches beam.
ana is % feet, { inches deep. She is
owned by the Restormel Steamship Co,
limited. o. Cory & Sons. of Cardiff.
The St. Paul had been lying off Santiago
for six days, and early last Wednesday
morning. the big collier was sighted,
making at full speed for Santiago harbor. |
The St Paul fired blank shot and the
Restormel came to, four miles from the
CONTINUED on page 2.)