The herald., 1898-05-23
CfRvfRA'S STRATAGEM
THE FAST SPANISH CRUISERS
Have Gained no Advantage and
Promise No Return for the
Coal They Have Used
Associated Press Special Wire


Associated Press Special Wire
LONDON, May 3s.-The Times this
morning In an article reviewing the war,
takes 1t for granted that Admiral Cerve-
ra's squadron coaled In Venezuelan waters
from four British golfers. It suggests that
the cruisers vixcaya and Infanta Maria
Teresa risked disadvantage In being re-
ported there In consideration Of their abll-
ity to send dispatches to General Blanco.
and to have arrived at Santiago de Cuba on
the 10th.
The Times says: Even II It took longer
route to escape observation, Admiral Ger
vera's forces has been excessively deliberate
In its movements and his fast cruisers have
not yet shown great speed. His strategy.
80 much boosted at Madrid. 10 not yet ap-
parent. Possibly his movements are ham,
pered by the torpedo boats, but the extreme
slowness OF his ocean steaming destroys his
chances OF dealing an effective blow at Key
West. Tampa, or at q blockadins force,
denuded OF its most efficient vessels by Ad-
miral Sampson's abortive raid on San
Juan.
"The high speed Of the Spanish cruisers
80 far has not been turned to any account,
Cuba may have some moral value in assur-
Ing the Cuban garrisons that they are not
abandoned, no naval objects seem to have
been attained. The United States COM
manders now know where the enemy IL,
and have had time to concentrate supe-
rior force and to cover their weak points, =
Discussing the problem of q blockade OF
Admiral Cervera at Santiago de Cuba, or an
attempt to force him to give battle. the
Times article says:
1.-THE United States commander pos
sesses ample force, but night and the speed
of the Spanish cruisers will give them
chances to escape. The result will be
watched with much interest. The defenses
Of Santiago are probably no more effective
than those OF Manila. 10 take the United
States cruisers into this harbor in the face
OF powerful fire, from Cervera's forces
would be risky operation, but torpedo
Hotilla, IL it existed in either fleet, might
find opportunities for effective employ
ment.
'If Admiral Cervera succeeds in getting
to sea and obtaining coal. he will unques-
tionably hamper the Cuban blockade,
though he can obtain no direct advantage.
1t is evident that the monitors greatly delay
Admiral SIMPSONS squadron. Such an in
cumbrance imposes heavy disabilities on
the American feet, and fast squadron
capable Of pursuing The Spaniards II they
leave the port is urgently needed. Failing
such force. there appears to be no reason
why Admiral Cervera should not steam to
San Juan de Porto Rico, coal and go to
sea again before he could be overtaken. A
recent report confirms the existence of a
large quantity of coal at San Juan; and If
Admiral Cervera can avail himself OF this
supply and leave behind his torpedo fleet.
he would be able to reach Charleston or
Savannah without c..ficulty.
IA raid on either OF these points would
have no important results, but 1t would
graveiy interfere with the operations OF
the blockade. Reviewing the whole field
Of operations. the most important lesson Is
the effect produced by the presence of a
small, compact, high-speed squadron
which, however, hitherto has been some
what aimlessly employed. From the mo-
ment when it was known that this squad
ron had arrived of Martinique all the plans
Of the United States board Of strategy were
disarranged. BY undertaking bombard-
ment of the Notifications at San Juan Moth
ing was gained. The United States has
been handicapped by the lack Of a fast.
homogeneous squadron.
at would be wise in the future to leave
the direction Of operations to naval COM
manders. Councils have never proved cap
able directors Of war. Their proper func-
ton is to obtain information and to for
ward it to the admirals, who must be, as
Nelson claimed the right to be, free to act
when the fitting opportunity arrived"