The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-05-21
Extra Nos
FACES DOOM.
The Spanish Fleet is in a Death
Trap.
Could Be Annihilated in San
tiagO HarbOr.
RATTLE PROBABLE.
Flying Squadron Under Samp-
son Ordered to Sea at Once.
Instructed to Capture or De-
stroy Cervera's Fleet.
The Spanish Fleet is in a Death
Trap.
Could BE AnnihiIated in San
tiagO HarbOr.
BATTLE PROBABLE.
Flying Squadron Under Samp-
son Ordered to Sea at Once.
Instructed to Capture or De-
stroy Cervera's Fleet.

London. May 21-According to the
best expert opinion in London, II Ad-
niraI Cervera has gone to Santiago de
Cuba. he has made a fatal mistake.
Vice Admiral Philip Howard Columb.
retired, the author of a number of naval
works, including 1.-THE Naval war
Came" writes that he is convinced the
Spanish admiral is now unlikely to
strike at all He adds that if he en-
ters a south Cuban port, it will scarcely
affect the United States blockade, for
Rear Admiral Sampson will only have
to detach a somewhat superior force OF
his heavier ships to cover Cervera's $
ships while group of the Hghtest and
swiftest vessels would be watching to
see that he did not move without being
reported and all the rest of Rear Ad-
miral SIMPSONS fleet could devote
themselves to the blockade of the other
Cuban ports.
New York, May 21.-A Washington
dispatch to the World says:
Secretary Long has received a cable
gram from Rear Admiral Sampson an
nouncing that the scouts had located the
Cape Verde fleet at Santiago de Cuba.
The message was sent from a cable
station in the West Indies and indica-
ted that the American commander was
close on the heels of the Spaniards.
Secretary Long Immediately sum-
moned the members of the strategy
board.
knowing that Rear Admiral Sampson
could be depended on to prevent Ad-
miraI Cervera from sailing north, or
ders We're quickly dispatched to Com
modore Schley at Key West to put to
sea The commander of the flying
squadron's instructions were to sail
around Cuba to the west and to find
Cervera's feet and to capture or de-
stroy it
Commodore Schley was Instructed to
use his utmost endeavors to prevent
the Spanish fleet from entering the har-
Dor of Cienfuegos or Havana Rear
Admiral Sampson and Commodore
Schley were informed as to each 9TH
ers movements. 1t is expected that Rear
Admiral Sampson will come up with
Admiral Cervera first.
It is impossible to state with accur-
acy what ships Rear Admiral Sampson
and Commodore Schley have in their
respective squadrons.
Washington, May 21.-The indications
are that there is little probability of a
hostile meeting between Sampson or
Schley and Cervera Immediately. Look
ing over the charts of Santiago harbor,
the war department soon discovered
that the place would be a veritable rat
trap for the Spaniards with its narrow
entrance, in which a single American
monitor could blow up the whole Span
ish fleet.
The naval strategy board, rechristened
of late the war board, is to lose one of
its most active and valuable members.
in the person of Captain Barker. He
leaves Washington tomorrow for
Hampton Roads to take command of
the fine protected cruiser Newark.
which has just been extensively re-
paired at the Norfolk navy yard. 1t
is expected that the Newark will Join
SIMPSONS squadron in the West Indies
as SOOAA dS SAAS can get Lnere. 1t mas
not been determined who will succeed
Captain Barker as a member of the
board, place requiring the very high
est professional qualifications and in
volving a knowledge of strategy as
taught scientifically. which is not the
possession of all naval officers. 1t NAV
be that the vacancy will not be filled at
present, though there has been favor
able mention of the name of Admiral
Ramsay, retired, in that connection.
Another loss to the department will
occur tomorrow, when Lieutenant Glib
Don leaves to serve as one of Captain
Barker's officers on the Newark This
young officer has displayed the greatest
energy in securing for the services of
the navy the various naval military or
Ganlzat1ons of the states, and as an in
cdent to that work he was obliged to
put forth his best efforts to secure the
formation of new organizations where
none existed and additional battalions
N states that already possessed a ma
IA militia The great value of this
work Is shown by the fact that MANY
VI the vessels of the, auxiliary navy
ana most of the old mtnitors that have
oeen commissioned for coast defensas