The record-union., 1898-05-23
WHAT THE ''TIMES" THINKS.
CERVERA'S SBOASTED STRATEGY
IS NOT APPARENT.
1t Would be Wise in Future to
Leave Direction of Operations
to Naval Commanders.

LONDON, May 23.-The Times"
this morning, in an article reviewing
the war, takes it for granted that Ad-
miral Cervera's squadron cOaled in
Venezuelan waters from four British
colliers. 1t suggests that the cruisers
Vizcaya and Infanta Maria Teresa
risked a disadvantage in being report
ed there in consideration of their abil-
ity to send dispatches to General Blan-
co, and to have rejoined the flagship at
a prearranged rendezvous and 10 have
arrived at Santiago de Cuba on the
18th.
The Times" says: Even if it took
a longer route to escape observation,
Admiral Cervera's force has been ex-
cessiVely deliberate in its movements
and his fast cruisers have not yet
shown great speed. His strategy, so
much boasted at Madrid, is not yet ap-
parent. Possibly his movements are
hampered by the torpedo boats, but the
extreme slowness of his ocean steaming
/ destroys his chances of dealing an eff
fective blow at Key West Tampa, or at
| blockading force, denuded of it's most
| efficient vessels by Admiral SIMPSONS
abortive raid on San Juan.
The high speed Of the cruisers SO
far has not been turned to any account
and although its arrival at Santiago de
Cuba may have some moral value in as
suring the Cuban garrisons that they
are not abandoned, no naval objects
seem to have been attained. The
United States commanders now know
where the enemy is and have had time
to concentrate d superior force and to
cover their weak points"
Discussing the problem of a blockade
of Admiral Cervera at Santiago de
Cuba, or an attempt to force him to
give battle, the Times" article says:
The United States commander pos
sesses ample force, but night and the
speed of the Spanish cruisers will give
them chances to escape. The result
win be watched with much interest
The defenses of Santiago are probably
no more effective than those of Manila.
To take the United States cruisers into
this harbor in the face of a powerful
fire from Cerevera's forces would be a
risky operation but a torpedo flotilla,
if it existed in either fleet, might find
opportunities for effective employment.
IF Admiral Cervera succeeds in get
ting to sea and obtaining coal he will
unquestionably hamper the Cuban
blockade, though he can obtain no direct
advantage. 1t is evident that the mon
itors greatly delay Admiral Sampson S
squadron. Such an incumbrance i'm
poses heavy disability on the American
fleet and a fast squadron capable OF
pursuing the Spaniards if they leave
the port is urgently needed Failing
such a force. there appears to be no
reason why Admiral Cervera should not
steam to San Juan de Porto Rico. coal
and go to sea again before he would be
overtaken. 4 recent report confirms
the existence of large quantity of
coal at San Juan; and if Admiral Ger
vera can avail himself of this supply and
leave behind him his torpedo fleet. he
would be able to reach Charleston or
Savannah without difficulty.
A raid on either OF these points
would have no important results but it
would gravely interfere with the opera
tions of the blockade. Reviewing the
whole field of operations, the most inn
portant lesson is the effect produced by
/. the presence of Il small. compact, high
lispeed squadron. which, however. hith-
| erto has been somewhat aimlessly en-
| ployed. From the moment when it was
&. known that this squadron had arrived
/ off Martinique all the plans of the
/ United States hoard of strategy were
| disarranged. Ry undertaking bonn
| bardment of the Notifications. at San
Juan nothing was gained. The United
| States has been handicapped by the