The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1898-05-28
HIS ESCAPE BARRED.
Admiral Cervera and His Fleet in q
Very Bad Fix.
HisPresence I'm Santiago Hay, Hemmed
I'm by the American ships, Ii Con-
nrmed-wiu Force spain to
Act Promptly.

London, May 26.-The Madrid cor
respondent of the Daily Mail says: OIL
cial kilograms from Cuba confirm the
report that Rear Admiral Sampson and
Commodore Schley, with their COM
bined squadrons, are now In front Of
Santiago de Cuba. blockading Admiral
Cervera. Ministers consider that San
tiago possesses sufficient defenses TO
render null and void any aggressive ac-
ton the enemy may take. The position
of the American squadron will cause
the government 10 take immediate ac-
ton, though IL is unknown as yet what
form this action will assume. Rumors
that battle has already occurred are
officially denied.
Madrid, May ga Havana dispatch
says the Americans are concentrating
before Guantanamo as well as Santiago.
II indicates that the squadrons are pre-
pairing 10 attack Cervera.
Can't Get Away.
Washington, May 26.-Madrid re-
ceived news Wednesday that Admiral
Ceryera and his fleet are pocketed In
Santiago bay. He entered there last
Thursday, with the Infanta Maria
Theresa, Vizcaya, Almirnnte oquendo.
Cristobal Colon and the destroyers Plu-
ton and Furor.
1t became positively known here
Wednesday night that Commodore
Schley's squadron, reinforced by the
battleships Iowa and Indiana, is out
side Santiago planning the destruction
i - h. 10 ,rt tl.t
the operation will be difficult one, but
concede that the Spaniard has little
chance TO escape.
Meanwhile, Admiral Sampson, who
had been off Havana, sailed thence Mon
day, and his destination is unknown.
The belief prevails, however, that a
bombardmentisn not far off, but whether
at Havana or San Juan Is uncertain.
Caught In Trap.
Washington, May 26.-There seems
10 be no longer any doubt that the
/ Spanish fleet now in Santiago harbor
is hemmed in by Commodore Schley's
squadron and that their escape is al
most, il not quite impossible. Members
OF the cabinet are exultant over the
news, and although they are not willing
to make public the source of their in
formation they regard il as perfectly
trustworthy. They are not willing to
state the exact position of SIMPSONS
fleet, but do say that it is acting in
concert with Sehley and can come 70
his relief at any time should the situa-
ton require it. The published report
that another and more formidable fleet
is en- route from Cadiz to the relief OF
the imprisoned squadron is not credited
by members Of the administration, but
should this prove TO be the fact the
move would be welcomed by our naval
authorities, as it would certainly re-
suit, il is said, in the destruction OF
the two fleets instead OF one il is
authoritatively stated that the situation
Of Santiago harbor is such that our gun
boats, which are available for the pur-
pose, could successfully prevent the
escape of the Spaniaids, thus relieving
considerable part OF both SIMPSONS
and Schley's fleets for operations else
where. Members of the administra-
ton regard the present situation as
most favorable for our cause, and do
not doubt that in very short time
the Spanish fleet will be utterly de
stroyed and active operations begun
against Havana and Cuba by both our
military and naval forces.
Little News Given out.
Washington, May 26,-Reports were
current that an army OF invasion was
about TO start for Cuba and Puerto
Rico Ii was based on the conjecture
which has been current Of late, but Off
cials in authority gave IL no indorse-
ment, as il was manifestly contrary to
public policy TO give any advance in
formation of such move even lift were
contemplated.