The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-09-16
GEN. BLANCO'S VILLAlNY
SHOWN THAT HE WAS RESPONSIBLE
FOR CERVERA's DEFEAT.
He Ordered the Admiral to Leave
Santiago Harbor When an Immedi-
ate Reverse Was Certain.
Washington Letter in St. Louis Globe-Dem-

Washington Letter in st. Louis Globe-Dem-
ocrdt.
The following statement concerning Ad-
miral CeIvera and his Cape Verde fleet,
which was destroyed just outside of SAN
tiago harbor by the American feet on July
g. and some inside information of the trans
actions which were going on between the
Spanish admiral, Captain General Blanco
and the Madrid government during the time
that Cervera was bottled up in Santiago
harbor, was given out to-day from a Span
ish authority which is unquestionable, and
upon which the highest reliance can be
placed. 1t shows the rupture between Ad-
miral Cervera and General Blanco which
the destruction of the formers fleet has oc-
casioned and the facts and circumstances
from Spanish standpoint which led to the
disaster to the Spanish navy, as we'll as
places the blame by the navy upon General
Blanco for the loss of the ships. 1t is upon
the lines laid down in the following state
ment that Admiral Cervera will lay his case
before the officials at Madrid, and the whole
blame for the Spanish disaster will be
charged to the stubbornness, willfulness
and incompetency of General Blanco:
The full truth concerning what led to
the destruction OF the magnificent Cape
Verde fleet says this authority, has
never yet been told, and the time has come
when certain facts which have been here
tOfore withheld should be made public. 1t
is true that Admiral Cervera ana his Off
GERS may be court-martaled upon their
reaching Spain, and, upon conviction, 1t is
authorities, those composing the cOurt-mar
t1al, or the government saw hit to impose
such "a penalty; However such UGH, catas5ro-
and when all the facts are plainly set
forth. and the blame placed where it be-
longs, it will be clearly shown that Admit
raj Cervera acted like the wise and saga
cious admiral that he is, and he and his
officers and crew will be completely exon
Grated. Notwithstanding this, their situa-
ton at present. upon their approaching
Spain, is critical, and it may be safely said
that the high standing of Admiral Cervera $
save him from the court-martial. Public
opinion has been infiamed against him in
Spain through gross Misrepresentation,
through falsehood and conspiracy of those
who seek to shift the blame for the loss of
the Spanish ships from their own shoulders
to the shoulders of Admiral Cervera. Their
erring deeds, unfaithfulness and treachery,
which were entirely responsible for the dis
aster, they would place upon those who are
innocent, and who, If allowed to exercise
their own wisdom and discretion, would
have saved for Spain the pride of her navy.
CERVERA'S MOVEMENTS.
'It is untrue that Admiral Cervera. after
leaving the Cape Verde islands and reach
ing Western waters, was seeking to avoid
the American fleet and flying here and
there to avoid a fight. Naturally his plans
were different from those laid out for him
to follow by the American board of STRAIT
egg, for he was endeavoring to separate
the American fleet and engage them sepa-
rately. He wanted to meet and fight them
singly, but his misfortune would not per-
init him to do that. When he was nearly
without coal, and being in need of some
slight repairs to his ships, he naturally put
into Santiago, expecting there to find sup
plies to make what few repairs were needed,
get provisions and proceed further. But
there he was greatly disappointed Through
the interference of General Banco he was
prevented from carrying out his plans, and
the whole world knows the rest. General
Blanco immeditely communicated to Spain,
and asked the minister of marine to place
Admiral Cervera and his fleet under his
(Blancos) orders, making various repre-
sensations and explaining the necessity of
such action from his standpoint. His
quest was finally granted. 1t was simply a
deep, diabOlical trick on the part of General
BlancO- He foresaw disaster somewhere,
and in case it should come he wanted to
have some one high in authority upon
whom he could place portion, if not all
of the blame for any loss which might ac-
crue to Spain and for which he would be
held responsible.
General Blanco ordered Cervera to re-
main in Santiago and assist in the defense
of the shore batteries. Admiral Cervera
pealed to Spain. 1t is doubtful if his appeal
ever reached the government He asked to
be allowed to coal up and then leave Santi-
ago, where he might be free to meet the
American fleet, rather than to be bottled
up in. blockaded harbor. He contended
that he could not possibly be useful to
Spain by remaining in Santiago harbor
with the certainty of American ships COM
ing to keep him there whereas. outside and
to the Spanish cause The answer of Gen
Blanco was that Admiral Cervera was now
subject to his orders. and that he and not
Admiral Cervera, was in command of af-
fairs in Cuba, and that the admiral must
obey his commands. Cervera could then do
nothing.
After the Merrimac affair, which made
the name of Lieutenant HObson immortal
and made Admiral Cervera, by his kindly
treatment of the prisoner, well regarded by
Americans when he came to be prisoner
himself. Cervera was fully aware that he
could still get out of Santiago harbor If
given permission to do so. His immediate
investigation showed that the channel was
rot entirely closed and that his ships could
pass out. Finally, when full aware that
the strong American fleet were waiting for
him outside of the harbor as he was COM
pletey posted of the movements of the
Americans at all times, he concluded that
he would do his best to defend the city. as
1t would at that time be certain destruction
to attempt to run out Of the harbor. for the
time to escape had already passed and he
became resigned to do his best.
BLANCO'S VILLAINY.
Then one night an order came to him
from General Blanco to be ready to sail out
of the harbor within twenty-four hours and
setting o'clock in the morning for the time
Of departure, when, it was argued by Gen
Blanco, the Americans would be taken by
surprise and probably off their guard, and
the escape could be made. Admiral Cervera
protested strongly against this, maintaining
that the American commanders were too
shrewd not to double and treble their guard
at night, and pointed out to General Blanco
that l o'clock in the morning would be a
very bad time to start, if indeed he should
insist upon the order to get out of the har-
bor Admiral Cervera did not know at that
time of the villainy Of Blanco in telegraph
ing to Madrid, asking that Cervera be re-
moved from command of the fleet and Com
modore Villiml be placed in command
Then later, when the fleet was DESTROYED
he sent another telegram, stating that 1t
was the fault of the minister of marine in
not needing his advice and granting his re-
quest to remove Cervera. BlancO was fully
aware that to leave Santiago meant the de-
struction Of the fleet, and he wanted to
again shift the blame, and so made the re-
quest for the change, which he knew would
theleSS had an excuse and some one TO
blame for not accepting his counsel Gen.
Blanco knew that the action which he or
dered must mean the destruction of the
fleet, and he actually hoped and believed
that Ii would mean the death of Admiral
Cervera, so that dead, he could not make
answer to the charges which Blanco pro-
posed to make against him.
The same vile treachery Of General