New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-05-21
OTHER SPANISH FLEETS.

While the Cape verd feet was making straight
for the Antilles the Spanish Government kept
the wires hot with rumors that 1t was going
elsewhither and had been seen elsewhere 1t
was down the Brazilian coast, 1t was on Nan
tucket Shoals, It was off the Grand Banks 1t
Ind gone to Davy Jones's Locker. And in Its In
satiable and senseless craving for sensations
part of the American press lent itself subser-
viently to the trick by giving credit to these de-
GOV dispatches and exploiting them for thou
sand times more than they were worth. Now
that the feet has reached Caribbean waters. and
Is known to have done SO. the same old game Is
renewed, with the same gull-like assistance.
strategic reports" Of its whereabouts are put
forth and swallowed by the minimizing. hook.
bob and sinker; though happily not by those
upon whom the conduct Of the war actually de-
wolves And to divert attention from 1t alto
gether. II possible, there are all manner OF r'i-
mors sent forth of all manner OF Spanish fleets
in other quarters intent upon all manner OF por-
tentous errands.
The favorite rumor is that powerful expedi-
ton is being fitted out to redeem the Philip
pines from Yankee sway and to get vengeance
for Admiral Dewey's performance at Manila
There have been two separate and distinct tales
to this effect, differing from each other IN de-
gree Of improbabilty, though which is the more
improbable 1t might be hazardous to say. one
makes the fleet consist Of the Pelayo. the Carlos
V, the Vittoria, the Alfonso XIII and five or six
auxiliary cruisers improvised out or merchant
ships OF these the Pelayo Is n fine battle-ship
far more powerful than any Dewey has. Tho
same may be said Of the Carlos V. They are
the bes, ships in the Spanish Navy. The AL
fonso XIII Is good enough unarmored cruiser,
which the Olympia could probably whip IN
about ten minutes. The Vittoria Is a venerable
iron ship, built some thlrty-three or more years
ago, long used as a traning-ship, and capable OF
making eleven knots an hour II pressed The
smallest of Dewey's fleet would have no cause
to fear her AS for the auxiliaries. they might
serve as transports but would cut no figure at
all In battle That Spain would send such
feet around the world, and strip her own home
ports Of the best defence ships she has there. Is
not seriously to be reckoned.
The other reported feet Is equally preposter'
ous The vittora we have already described.
The Numancia is a few years older and several
knots slower. She Is protected with five inches
Of wrought iron, and carries nothing better than
some 6.2-inch guns. The Lepanto is q trim
second-cas cruiser. without armor and with no
guns bigger than 7.Sinch. The Alfonso XIII
has already been described. To send such
feet against that now at Manila would he an
uncommonly rash performance. 1t Is not to be
supposed that the Spanish Government Has any
notion Of doing 1t Nor is the latest tale, Of the
embarkation Of eleven thousand troops at Bar
celona for Manila, calculated to chill with fear
the hearts Of the judlcious. government does
not send out shiploads OF troops without ade-
quate fighting ships to guard them and without
assurance that they will find place at which
to land. No. these tnles may be taken as meant
for decoys to get this Government panicky over
the Philippines and to withdraw its attention
from the present seat Of war in the Caribbean.
In that ambition they will fail The Govern
ment will send all needed reinforcements to Adj
miral Dewey as expedtiously as possible. But
1t will not be made blind to the operations In
and around Cuba. It's attention will be paid to
fleets not clad IN buckram.