The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1898-05-31
AIMS LAND-L0CKED FLEET
SCliLEH OUTSIDE SANTIAGO AND GER
VERA BEIJIND THE HILLS.
Tho Navy Department. Satisfied that tho
SpnniHh Squadron ia Inside OF Santiago
Hnrbor and that the Status Quo tnn
DO Icasily Maintained, I'm
less Il Cyclone
Comes.

Washington, May 2{j.-The navy
department received information to-
day which for tho first time relieved
officials Of tho anxiety and doubt
they have felt for tho last few days,
and satisfied them on two vital points.
First, that tho American fleet, under
Commodore Schley, was outside
Santiago harbor, and second, that
Admiral Ccrvcru's fleet was inside
that harhor. This information camo
from private sources, which naval
officers regard rs thoroughly reliable.
1t is tho same source that gave tho
navy department the first informn-
ton, almost week ago, that the
Spanish squadron was inside Of San
tiago harbor. This source Of infor-
nation has proved itself reliable thus
far, and for that reason the ncws ro-
ceived today was accepted us conclu-
sive. It did not como from any
naval or Stoto department officials.
Th"re is little doubt, however, that
it will be supplemented by official
advices from Admiral Schley, if in
decd such advices nro not already
here, though up to tho close of Office
hours the navy department bad not
bulletincd anything from Schley.
Tho officials were in 9 state of OK
pectancy, having learned from tho
press dispatches from Kingston that
the scouting vessel Harvard was
there Nth reports for tho depart
ment. Secretary Long went to tho
review at Camp Alger during the
Afternoon, and in his absence no in
formation was made public.
LIKE RATS IN A TRAP.
Relying on the private advices ro-
ceived the naval officials feel that tho
entire military situation is simpliicd
and the powers of mischief by tho
Spanish fleet arc at an ond. One
distinguished officer remarked that
us Il result Of tho information ro.
ceiyed he felt Ten years younger
since yesterday. Ho had bccn &C.
riousIy apprehensivo that the Span
ish feet had succeeded in getting
away, but the information of today
relieved his mind on that point. He
said that Commodore Sch!cy could
now spare several Of tho ships from
his squadron to permit them to Join
in offensive demonstrations else
where.
ALL scHLEY NEEDS.
All Schley needs, it is pointed ont,
ls a small force to watch the entrance
of Santiago harbor Two battle
ships and two cruisers would bo
ample for tho service, as such force
would largely ovormatch the four
armored cruisers in tho Spanish
squadron. In this way Admiral
Corvera's fleet can bo pocketed with
ont keeping large number Of Amer
lean ships out of active service at
other needed points. In calculating
upon keeping the Spaniards penned
up in this fashion tho officials have
taken into account the possibility Of
tho dispersion of the American block
aiding fleet by ono Of tho tropical
cyclones that are almost duo at this
season.
IN CASE OF A CYCLONE.
Tho American feet in such cases
would be obliged to cut and run for
some neatral port or to make it's way
by force into ono Of the Cuban ports
for shelter. In either case there
might be IN opportunity for tho
Spanish fleet to make its escape,
providing the commanding officers
are willing to take tho desperate
chance of going out in weather heavy
enough to compel the big American
ironcl"ds to seek shoItor, unless we
block tho harbor by scuttling bnrgcs
in tho channel On her way to this
country the Vizcay passed through
some very severe weather, almost up
proaching the cyclonlc, and proved
that vessels Of her class arc ablo to
Withstand such storms with perfect
safety.
DEWEY IS ALL RIGHT.