Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1898-06-02
SPANS SQUADRON.
Four Cruisers and Two Torpedo
Boats In Santiago Harbor.
The NEWS OF A BATTLE EXPECTED.
= ID Understood That the HarbOf VIII BE
Forced and an Attack Made on the
Spauiards-With Commodore
Schiey's Squadron.


ron, four splendid cruisers and two
torpedo boat destroyers, is imprisoned
In Santiago harbor This fact has
been known here As hours, and the
speculation now is over the probable
disposition Of the Spaniards-whether
they will be blockaded or the forts re.
duced and the vessels compelled to
fight In the latter case there can be
but one result for Commodore Schley
has some Of the finest ships in the
world, to say nothing Of cruisers and
various smaller vessels, and could in
few days be reinforced by other pow.
erful warships 1t would be fool
hardness on the part Of Cervera 10
offer battle.
An interesting story remains TO be
told OF the reason which led Cervera
70 Santiago, and Of the way in which
he was hemned in. II is now known
that when the Spanish admiral sailed
for the West Indies he expected to en-
ter San Juan de Porto Rico for coal
and supplies. On touching at Curacao
for news, his plans were upset by the
receipt Of dispatches telling him that
Rear Admiral Sampson had bombarded
the San Juan Notifications, and was
still In the neighborhood OF Porto
Rico Thereupon Cervera sailed for
the south coast Of Cuba Why he en-
tered Santiago harbor instead Of the
hsrbor Of Cienfuegos is not known,
but the American commanders were
inclined To think the Spaniards would
20 TO the latter port 1t is certain
that Cervera could not have escaped
from Santiago without being discov.
cred, for the American scouts had
been prowling about the port for about
ten days and other scouts had not
been far away. Practically Santiago
has been blockaded for that length Of
time.
The British steamer Restormel was
brought In here yesterday morning,
under her own steam, by prize crew.
She was captured while trying to put
into Santiago de Cuba with a cargo Of
coal. The steamer was bound from
Cardiff to Porto Rico. As the Re.
stormel came In the British flag was
flying half way down her main mast.
She was leaking badly. The Restormel
was captured under the very guns Of
Moro castle, at Santiago de Cuba, at
six g. III. on May %. She carried 9. 400
tons Of best Welsh coal from Cardiff,
presumably for Admiral Cervera's fleet.
THE NEWS OF A BATTLE EXPECTED.
WASHINGTON, May 3l,-There is a
general feeling Of exultation in Wash
ington over the news that Cerveras
feet is hemmed In at Santiago de
Cuba The official announcement TO
this effect from Commodore Schley re.
moves general depression which has
existed ever since the mysterious
movements of the Spanish squadron
In American waters commenced The
greatest secrecy is being observed
In all departments of the gov
eminent which makes the line
Of future action matter of mere
speculation. According to the best
source Of information accessible, the
intention Is TO capture or destroy
Cervera's feet, establish base of
operation at Santiago, and. that done,
to seize Porto Rico, leaving the IIa-
vana end Of Cuba under blockade for
an indefinite period, which may be
four weeks or four months, according
TO circumstances II Is understood
that the proposed course regarding
Santiago harbor is to reinforce Schley's
squadron with all the available fight.
ing ships from SIMPSONS squadron,
force the harbor ind attack the Span
iards.
Considerable anxiety is manifested
In official circles lest Schley should
precipitate an attack without waiting
for Sampson Even with strong rein
forcements the battle cannot fail to
surpass the Manila fight in loss of life,
but the necessity Of forcing the issue
is recognized as imperative, owing to
the danger to the American ships from
storms, which might scatter or destroy
them and allow the Spaniards to es-
cape Under these conditions, news
Of battle is expected within few
hours.
WITH COMMODORE sCnLEy's SQUADRON.
OFF SANTIAGO DE CUBA, May sS, via
KINGSTON, JAMAICA. May Sl.-Commo'
dore Schley's squadron is doggedly
patrolling the waters In this vicinity
waiting to strike the Spanish fleet
which Americans confidently believe
Is lying under the protection Of The
harbor batteries. When the Assoca
ted press correspondent boarded tn,
Brooklyn and sought an interview
with Commodore Schley he was me
with courteous but firm refusal Tn,
commodore positively declined to dis
cuss his plans or talk Of the possibilit.
Of meeting the Spanish squadron
What the outcome will be is matte
Of conjecture, whether he will bonn
bard the harbor and forts, attemptin,
10 force an entrance, or whether h
will await an attempt on the part o
the Spaniards to depart, Schley onl
knows. Nothing is known here as I
the rumored coming Of the American
feet. and 1t is generally believes
among naval officers that Commodor
Watson is still of Havana and Rea
Admiral Sampson at Key West N
anxiety for reinforcements is apparen