The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-07-05
MADRID IN THE DARK.
Spanish Public Believes CerYera
Made His Escape.

Madrid, July 5.-The general public
of the Spanish capital at this hour still
believes Admiral Ceryera and his
squadron have escaped from Santiago
de Cuba, thanks to the official dis
patches given out by the government
and the interviews granted by the min
listers.
A dispatch from Captain General
Blanco says:
''Cervera's squadron at IL o'clock on
Sunday morning broke the center of
the line of the American fleet and pro-
ceeded at full steam in a westerly di-
rection."
The Spanish minister for war, Senior
Aunon, is quoted in an interview as
saying: Il am highly pleased with the
feat of arms performed by Admiral
Cervera's squadron which left Santiago
the moment Admiral Cervera judged it
Opportune to do So"
After euIogizing the Spanish admiral.
the minister of marine added: THE
squadron could only leave the harbor
at a given moment, and when the mo-
ment arrived, Admiral CerVera seized
it. I have never doubted he would do
SO. But of course it is difficult to fore
see the result. The American squadron
was taken by surprise After attacking
us, the American admiral detached five
of his best ships which steamed for
some time abreast of ours but they
were soon left astern. Only the Iowa
and Brooklyn were able to follow our
fleet, but it is certain they will not do
so far for fear of reprisaIS on our part
Admiral Cervera deserves great
praise"
1t is said in Madrid that Gen. Pando
is still at Havana and that the rein
forcements for Santiago de Cuba are
commanded by Gen. Pareja and Col
onels Escario and Mario.
Not one of the official dispatches re-
aafxr TT1f0a n
destruction of Admiral CerVera' 5
squadron and consequently the Amer
lean accounts of the battle cause i'm
menSe surprise and sensation, though
they are discredited by the Spanish Of
ficials.
Every one is awaiting today's expect
ed news of the bOmbardment of Santl-
ago de Cuba and it is anticipated the
fighting will result in appalling blood
shed. The Spaniards doubt whether
the Americans, even If they destroy the
city will succeed in penetrating into it,
as their losses are confidently expected
to be enormous, since the arrival of the
Spanish reinfOrcements at Santiago
they are expected to make q more ten
acious defense than would otherwise
have been the case. There is much
comment here over the news of the de-
parture of the foreign Warships from
Manila at the moment of the arrival
there of the American reinforcements.
Only two German, two French and four
British WarShipS now remain at Ma
Mia and people are asking if interna-
tional politics have undergone a change
and If the Americans are to be given
free hand in the Philippine islands.
The news received here that the Brit
ish consul at Hong Kong has sent a
dispatch boat to Manila for the purpose
of informing Rear Admiral Dewey of
the fact that Admiral Camara's squad
ron has traVersed the Suez canal is
much commented upon and the news
papers assert that the Egyptian and
British authorities purposely placed OBJ
ara's departure in order to delay his
arrival at Manila, as long as possible.
adding that the British have been more
scruplous in maintainin the neutrality
of the Suez canal than they were when
they allowed a steamer to leave Hong
Kong loaded with arms for the Manila
insurgents.