New-York tribune., 1898-11-30
CERVERA'S NINDlCATION.
HE WARNED HIS GOVERNMENT THAT
DEFEAT WAS CERTAIN
UHTREPAREDNEss OF THE SPANISH NAVY AND
MALADM1NlsTRATION IN HIGH PLACES
POINTED OUT BEFORE TIE
WAR BEGAN.
WAR BEGAN.
Icy TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.

POINTED OUT BEFORE TIE
WAR BEGAN
Icy TELEGRAPH THE rRIBuNEl
Washington. Nov. 29-The Naval Intelligence
ONCE has published in twenty-tour page
pamphlet article printed in La Epoca" OF
Madrid. on November D. made up mainly of ex-
tracts from letters Of Admiral Cervera written
before the declaration OF war and continuing up
10 May > which are the most pathetic contribu-
tions TO modern naval history. The letters were
written by Admiral Cervera in protest against
SPANS rushing into in the face of certain
defeat. due 10 the naval strength OF the United
States and the unpreparedness Of the Spanish
Navy owing to the rottenness OF the Madrid Ad-
nlinistration. From the first OF the letters dated
IN January 1898 II appears that two years be-
fore Cervera had written to a relative contem-
plating the probability OF war with the United
States and deplorng the condition OF spans
Navy. which resulted from the stupidity Of
some one. the cupidity OF Others and the incapa.
hility Of all even Of those with the best inten-
tons
The earlier letters denounce in scathing terms
the maladministra;ion OF the naval establish
ment. with the resulting impOssibility 10 make
the ships it TO fight to repair them If dam
aged and the woful lack Of material on every
hand. The entire Spanish feet is represented to
he practically unserviceable. and there is ap
parently no way TO correct the abuses. Com
PARSONS with the American fleet are given TO
show that the Spanish vessels. even II in good
condition would be insignificant adversaries.
Cervera characterizes his own conclusions as
appalling and then continues in a letter to the
Admiralty February -. 1898. as follows;
N9w to out any s serious SPSrpCps % seenrs in
rntr"I of the sea which can only be done by
feating the enemys feet. or rendering them power
M can Ws @ do this Win the United state? 1t ey
should grant us a great victory. against what may
bc reasonably expected. where and how wouc We
pert would be Havana but with what resources?
am not aware Of the resources exs,ins tnTrr.
scare II is TO be assumed that the fae 4nedoi GSn
consequences Of he first great naval battle would
be the enforced inacton Of the greater par or
nigh be the result of that great combat In the
' sG Of It's me rveTs and aided by powerful
Industries and enormous resouces This g., lack o OK
sible 10 carry on an offensive campaign II
our our sdversaries they will immediately make them
selves masters Of any unforthed ports which they
o ay o% NAM fhe IN nlHrgents g "a and viii use ihe
base Tor their operations agansi us b ne most d
cult and the success very doubtful @ anq ne which
wouid Gradually give way and with the aid Of the
Americans Er,T would rapidly increase and become
These reflections are very sad but believe It to
be my unavoidable duty to set aside az an rS
iTv he resources which believe exist so that,
FOR and against and then, through the Govern
rnent Of His Majesty which is the country.s egti,
.mrH ,haI this decision viii find in all OF eneT
ee,ic. loyal and decided executors our motto Is
''Thc fulHment Of duty.
ENTERING A HOPELESS STRUGGLE.
Admiral Cervera. in letter Of February 90
explainina that the Colon could not go out for
target practice for lack OF ammunition. and
that his best ship had not received her big
guns writes:
me If is r rsh' aS FOR 5oso@oseo @s no keep n sfn ad
Ventures which viii surely cause the total ruin Of
Spain. Anc for what purpose TO defend an
bocause ove. If we shoIld not lose it by right In
the war. have lost it in fact aqd with 1t al all
victims OF the climate and outlets. in the defence
Of whai s noT n1 the, this opinion Of mine
should be known tc the Queen, and by the whole
- ,be last Two months is looked over. ii will be
sccn. no, that have been prophet nut mat l
have any illusions as to what we can DO
have deemed II my fgy ccsg to eXsfd snd my MRout ba 70
inc aronnd the bush. Now let orders be given 20
cslon. ready for the worst
The last letters were written from the Cape
yerd Islands just before starting across the
Atlantic for San Juan. Porto Rico, which it
appears was the real destination Of the squad
ron. and not Havana or Santiago. generally
believed In the United States at the time
four-hour council OF between the
commanders Of the vessels Of the squad
ron s described at length. resulting in
cable dispatch 10 the Government, urging that
tho feet return to the Canares 10 defend Spain.
nc offensive operations were out Of the question.
The authorities were warned that nothing
could be expected from the expedition except
,ba total destruction Of the feet or rs hasty
and demoralizing return. when here in Spain 1t
might be the safeguard Of the nation. Ger
vera writes
The Coon has yet her Gig guns. and asked
for the bad ones II there were no others Ihe
Ia.C ammunition. with the exception OF me tnr,e
fYndred shots is bad The defective guns OF the
.izcaya and the OQuenCc nave not oeeh cndhsei'
Thc cartridge cases Of the Colon cannot be re-
charged. We have not single Bus'smttntte 'oa, %
redo There is no plan OF cOEceri, Whlch 20
much desired and called for so often me IepaHS
~ lie servomot ors Of the lnfanta Nara Teresa
and the Vizcaya were Only made after they ieit
IS 10 be feared that IT VIII be "A more frighuu! one
before long. And. perhaps. eNcrNlh'ie coudu c ,r n
hanged vet but ! suppose T. Is too late now loI
anything that is not the ruin ana dcSo@nUh o. oi %
can accept or avoid naval battle az VIII ~,
Nizcaya on account OF her stay IN lfaNana an
the nine months without cleaning hei D",toI"' =
nothing but q buO.'. and cannot aAHNd'N He'
The last document is a cable dispatch from
Captain Villamil. Of the Colon. dated April -
10 his personal friend. Premier Sagasta, de-
caring that the sacrifice Of the naval forces -
as certain as Il wiz he fIutless FOR the 'erihha-
zion Of the war.
INSIDE SANTIAGO IL THE SIEGE