Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1898-05-21
THE HOSTILE FLEETS
Spnniar rds Put Out From Caracao-Samp-
son and schiey Moving to Inter
cept Them.

WASHINGTON, May 15.-liow to cap
turc or destroy the Spanish fleet now
in the Caribbean Sea is the great war
question of the hour.
Official information was received by
the state department this morning
from Consul Smith, at Caracao, that the
Spanish squadron intended to leave
there today, and it is the belief of the
naval war board that it is now or soon
will be on its way to the point where
its colliers are lying.
Our fighting and flying squadrons are
fn quest of the enemy
Improving every moment OF the time
given it, as a result of the present loca-
tion of the Spanish men-of-war, the
naval war board was in session today,
and when it adjourned at a late hour
! the members were confident that they
I had taken every precaution that their
naval experience and best Judgment
dictated to defend their country and
bring early defeat to the enemys force.
1t developed today that, instead OF
two colliers, as has been believed, there
were four of these vessels, carrying
about 5000 tons of coal, sufficient to re-
coal every ship of the Spanish squadron
IL is believed by members of the
board that the arrival of the Spanish
squadron at Caracoa was due to the ne
ccssity of communicating with the col
liers, in order to appoint rendezvous
along the Venezuelan coast, where coal
can be taken aboard without Interrupt
ton from American ships or heavy sea
Official advices are to the effect that
seven Spanish men-of-war are OIL Car
acoa. This number is somewhat sur
prising, in view of the fact that the
fleet. when it left Cape Verde, consisted
of seven ships, and one of this number,
the Terror, is at Fort de France, Mar
tinioue. 1t is believed in naval circles
, that the place of the Terror has been
taken by one of the small gnn-ycsscls
y which fled from Cuba or Porto hIcan
= waters upon the approach of the Amer
lean squadron.
There is no reason to believe that
y the plan determined upon by the wal
= board to place Rear Admiral Sampson
y squadron to the south of the llaytlcr
coast, in the immediate vicinity of the
b Windward Passage, has been changed
The department has been advised tha
!, Rear Admiral Sampson, acting IN ac
% cordance with instructions sent hiH
c last night by the war board, is making
all speed to the western end of Hayti
!. where he will proceed, it is understood
>, down the Windward Passage to TAXI
.e station at it's southern end. Here H.
will be in close cable communication
o, with the department.
,e Commodore Schley's command Is wei
nI on its way to Cuba. The naval depart
ment sent a communication to Commc
dore Schley off Charleston, that tn
le Spanish fleet was at Caracoa, and II
d. was ordered to hasten with all dispatc
he to Cuban waters, from which his fulnr
he movements will be directed by tn
he board.
an Secretary Longs belief is this; 1T
OIL enemy depending upon superior spee'
n. will make every effort to cut out isolae
ed American ships and destroy them, rul
ed ming into Spanish harbors to take Q
to board supplies. As soon as these SUI
nv plies are received the Spanish admir-
,c- will leave the harbors without della
m and continue his policy of attacking
he inferior force. 1t can be stated tn
it'll the naval war board is acting in lii
ust with this idea
Bile When the Spanish squadron h
ON coaed it is thought it will proceed
he some port on the southern coast
ap. Cuba.