The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-05-22
BATTLE ABOUT TO TAKE PLACE
OFFICIAL CIRCLES AT WASHINGTON
EXPECT A FIGHT.

shifting of Certain Vessels of the
american Fleet Strengthens the
AttacISinE Force and ReinfOrces
the blockade OF Havana-TVvO Dis
matches Received at the Navy De-
nortment From Admiral Sampson
closely Guarded.
Washington May 2l.-At the White
House and at the navy department. feel
ing of confidence prevails that meeting
batween Admiral Simpsons fleet and that
Of Admiral Cervera is about to take place.
Secretary Long is guarding closely two
dsnatches he received from Admiral
Sampson this morning, and he at once
communicated to the President the in
formation they contained.
The shifting of certain vessels of the
American fleet, which took place off Key
West. has strengthened the attacking
force. and at the same time reinforced the
blockadng squadron off Havana.
The report that the Spanish fleet has
left Santiago cannot be confirmed at the
navy department. Some of the naval Of
dcers credit the report on the ground that
Admiral Cervera would be at a decided
disadvantage should he take his entire
fleet into the harbor of Santiago, which
Is even more Iand-locked than the harbor
of Havana.
A report was circulated in high official
channels this morning that Admiral Ger
vera did not take his fleet into Santiago.
He came to anchor off the entrance TO the
harbor, and sent dispatch boat up to the
city to get dispatches and communicate
with Captain General Blanco at Havana
Upon ascertaining that Admiral Sampson
and Commodore Schley are on the north
coast Of Cuba, the Spanish admiral prob
ably concluded that he could proceed with
a certain degree of safety to Cienfuegos,
hugging the southern coast of Cuba. He
probably ascertained while at Santiago
that the blockade at Cienfuegos is weak
and inefficient and decided to make dash
for that point, while Admiral Sampson is
speeding. in the direction of Santiago If
this conjecture of the naval war board IS
correct, the Spanish fleet will have to
certain extent accomplished its mission.
The ablest naval authorities admit that
the Spanish fleet came into American
waters with a fixed purpose of effecting
landing in Cuba. BY touching at any point
along that extensive coast, the Spanish au-
thorites viii claim that they have broken
the blockade which the Americans have
established in Cuba.
If the plans of the war board do not
miscarry it is believed that Admiral Samp-
son and Commodore Schley are now un-
l.. %
take the Spanish fleet and force it to fight.
With Admiral Sampson on the east and
Commodore Schley on the west coast of
Cuba, bound for Santiago or Cienfuegos,
at whichever point Admiral Cervera's
feet may be finally located. Having
reached Santiago, it is believed Admiral
Cervera may conclude to proceed to Porto
Rico and walt developments.
This theory does not take very strong
hold on the war board. The generally ac-
cepted idea is that Admiral Cervera has
arms and ammunition for Gen. Blanco,
and he will not leave Cuba without max
ing desperate effort to deliver the goods.
If he follows that course he cannot avoid
battle with either Admiral Sampson or
Commodore Schley.
The navy department gave out no news
to-day touching the movements of the
American and Spanish squadrons. 1t is
plain to be seen, however, that the officials
are expecting great events to occur at
any moment. What they most fear is the
effect that might be produced upon our
people by greatly exaggerated and mis-
leading renOrts from CDopiSb courcaS Of
some great naval engagement in which
the Spaniards would claim the victory.
1t IS realized that the first news of ar
engagement in the neighborhood of Cuba
or to the eastward may reach the United
states through the Spanish cables via
Madrid, and these are almost certain nc
matter what the result may be, to make
such claim for victory for the Spanish
side as is even now put forth by the Span
lards in Havana in the case of the battle
OF Manila Bay. Obviously the only man.
her an which the truth could be discover
ed would be through our own official re-
n ports
The navy department is proud of the
record made by the oregon from an engi-
EeeHng point Of view. The reports to the
department from that ship show that she
uOes not need 5 cents worth of repairs to
her machinery after her 1900 miles con
.-huous run. The record is said never to
nave been equaled since the building OF
the first iron warshlp
Inc Buffalo, which comes with the Ore
son from Brazil is to be overhauled al
Newport News, furnished with armor
gwen good battery of 5-inch guns and
altogether be made a very effective and
modern cruiser This will take about two
months.
BLANCO's FAIRY TALE