Evening star., 1898-05-14
Department Officials Speculating on
Their Location.
SHOULD SPAIN'S VESSELS ESCAPE:
The War Might Be Considerably
Prolonged.
INTERNATIONAL QUESTIONS

ment touching his engagement with the
batteries at San Juan. Indeed Il is doubt
tui whether the department itself is aware
or the exact whereabouts OF Admiral Samp-
son at this moment. He did not comrnuni-
cate with the department over night and
IL is just possible that he finds consider
aoie dinculty in sending his ships to cable
stations OF neutral powers I'm the West
indies without exhausting his privilege in
The number of calls he can make It's un-
nkely, in view OF the newspaper accounts
Of the fight at San Juan, that at the time
Sampson drew of his squadron ne had
been Informed of the presence of the Span-
ish squadron off Martinique, and IL is DOS
sible that he is still lurking on the north
coast of Porto Rico. preparing for another
onslaught upon San Juan. OF course this
purpose will be changed as soon as he can
be reached by one of the dispatch boats
with the Navy Departments belated in
structions.
In the absence of specific advices as 10
the exact location OF the American and
Spanish fleets, the officials are thrown back
on conjecture as to the probable course OF
the two fleets. 1t is recognized that the
Spanish admiral las the advantage in en-
veloping his movements in complete mys-
tery Tor there is no way of learning his
object, whether ii Is to make a dash to Ha-
vana harbor and break the blockade. at the
same TING relieving Gen. Blanco or wheth-
er it is to effect a landing on the south coast
Of Cuba, away from the American ships on
the north coast, or, still again. whether
1t Is TO boldly engage the American ships
al the first opportunity. Naval strategists
believe Spain will not hazard her whole
cause in fight in which she must know
that defeat is certain. The destruction Of
the Spanish squadron would leave Spain
practically without a navy, as these ships
are the pick of her naval strength and
those remaining at Cadiz would be ineffec;-
i've without the cooperation of the ships
row On this side. For this reason, with
everything to lose, ii is felt that the Span
ish admiral will avoid set battle and seek
to elude the two American squadrons thus
leaving him free to render such help to the
Spanish forces in Cuba as he can, and in
cidentally TO Go such damage 10 detached
vessels as he can with his hands free from
a direct engagement.
Fast Spanish Vessels.
1t is recognized also that the Spanish
fleet is very fast, the cruisers being 20
knoters, while the destroyers make from
- " OO huoAS 1UlS makes lne COnDlneQ
Spanish fleet much more swift than the
combined Anne rican fleet under Sampson,
for while his flagship New York is very
fast. she is retarded by the moving
battleships ard monitors. These condi-
tions combine to make it possible for the
Sl'anish admiral TO make quick run
westward from Martinique south Of Por-
to Rico and Hayti, to the south coast of
Cuba. There are many ports along the
south coast, particularly Santiago de
Cuba. where il is felt the Spanish ships
would be practically safe while landing
supplies TO be sent across the island TO the
relief OF Havana. Most of The blockading
ships are on the north shore. maintaining
a watch along the long stretch of coast
covered 10y the blockade. To leave his
would endanger the maintenance of the
blockade.
Commodore Schley's Squadron.
Commodore Schley's flying squadron may
enter into the calculation early next week,
hut much may happen before then. His
ieetest ship. the Minneapolis may be
heard from off the coast of Florida next
Monday or Tuesday, but the Massachu-
setts. Texas and other ships will be some
time behind this. In the meantime, if the
Spanish admiral eludes the Sampson fleet
his course to Cuba will be an uninterrupt-
ed stretch of water and the distance will
be much less than that which Commodore
Schley's fleet must traverse
While all these calculations are being
taken into account, under the necessities
of the case. the naval authorities are
hopeful that Admiral Sampson will succeed
in forcing a fight on the Spanish COM
mander. whether he wants it or rot.
harb boy fS
decided within the next few hours rs the
opposing squadrons, it is believed are too
close together to leave their future move
ments in doubt much longer Either the
Spaniards must fight Sampson or SchIey
or keep away from them, and either course
Will involve Ueighty results.
Absence of Inforn,ntion.-
Neither house of Congress was in session
today, and TIE prospect of 4 fight between
Admiral Sampson's fleet and the Spanish
fleet was discussed from every possible
point OF view wherever group Of sena-
tors or representatives We're asse nbied.
Every one who had gone to ;he White
House or Navy Department was questioned
for information, but even these on most
confidential re,ations with the President
and members of the admnistra ton were
without definite information.
Everybody was speculating as 10 the pos
stilities and probabilities. and il was said
that apparently Ihe naval hoard CT strategy
is much in doubt as is everybody else.
Possibly Quaker Fleet
The most satisfactory information con-
corning the Spanish fleet was that con-
tanned in the newspaper dispatches. and
apparently one has been able TO say
with knowledge just what vessels COM
prise the feet. 1t was even suggested this
morning as a possibility. though not proba-
lie, that the vessels sighted OF Fort de
France were not the Cape Verde feet but
were a number of small Spanish vessels
sent lowering around in that quarter for
the purpose of deceiving and distracting
attention Ii was pointed out that the re-
ported absence of the fleet has resulted i'm
the withdrawal of SIMPSONS fleet from
San Juan. the postponement of the in
vasion of Cuba, and the sailing of Schley's
feet, and might result in the cessation Of
operations by our vessels on the south
coast Of Cuba 1t was suggested that this