Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-05-17
SPAlN'S NAVAL STRATEGY
Many Conflicting Statements Sent Out From
European Points.
One Report Says Spain Will Make an
Attack In Force to Destroy
Manila.

regarding the movements of Spanish war
ships and Spain's naval plans are of the
most conflicting sort
special cablegram from Madrid to the
Philadelphia Press yesterday says:
At the admiralty it was decided long be-
fore the outbreak of hostiities that the
best course was to concentrate in the Pa
cific all the Spanish armored ships and
abandon any idea of offering serious fight
ing or resistance to the superior forces IN
the Atlantic, for naval and military au-
thorities here have long been reconciled to
the fact that tuba and Porto Rico must
eventually be lost to Spain.
Consequently Admiral Cervera's fleet, in
GLIDING the four armored cruisers. was con-
centrated at Cape Verde, the most south
cry point practicable, on April %, two days
before the destruction of Admiral MonteJos
fleet in Manila harbor by Commodore
Dewey.
Admiral Cervera's fleet sailed from Cape
Verde with orders for three of its cruisers
to be detached to intercept the Oregon. Ma
rietta and Nictheroy, but in any case to
continue on a southerly course and proceed
around Cape Horn to the Pacific.
Coaling arrangements for these ships had,
with great foresight, been made before
hand, and an ample supply of coal is be-
lieved to be assured at various secret points
along the entire journey. The remaining
vessels of Cervera'S fleet were to feign an
offensive move upon the West Indies, and
act as a screen to conceal the Spaniards'
true objective point, which is Manila.
Whether or not the news of Admiral
Dewey's victory has modified Cervera's in
structions remains to be seen, but that Ma
Mia is the eventual destination of three. il
not all four, of Cervera's armored cruis-
erS, which SpaniardS claim are capable OF
overwhelming by superior weight of metal
and artillery Dewey's little squadron of
unprotected cruisers. is now considered
here as beyond question. and the Spaniarls
have already fortnight's start of any
United States force strong and swift
enough to pursue them on their long jour-
ney.
Meanwhile coaiing arrangements have al
ready been made to supply Spanish ships
proceeding TO the Pacific, via the Suez
canal, and the battle ship Pelayo and arm
ored cruiser Carlos will shortly sail from
Cadiz for Manila These two ships are the
most powerful of the Spanish navy and
Will be accompanied by four of the Trans
atlantic Company's steamers and an ar
senal ship. Containing material for repair
Ing.
L have ascertained that the Spanish au-
thorltieS are well aware that as soon as
the United States government realizes the
real significance of the Spanish objective
point they Will reply by sending an Ameri-
can heet TO Spain. and as a preliminary
step attempt to seize the Canaries as a
base OF operations against the Spanish sea-
ports.
consequently the defenseS of the Cana
RES anu Baiearic Islands have already been
made as strong as possible. The approach
es are protected by submarine mines and
torpedoes- All Spanish ports are being
similarly protected. buoys are to be re-
moved or misplaced and light houses will
not show lights
BY transferring the theater of operations
10 the Pacific Spain will have the advan-
tase OF Interior lines of Communication
while any successful landing in Spain of the
United States army is regarded by mill
tary men as an absolute impossibility
special copyright cable to the New
York Journal from London last night saws.
Inc spanish reserve fleet left Cadiz on Fri
DAY and is due at the Canaries tonight. If
is expected to sail from there to the north
ern coasts of America
Admiral Cervera has been ordered To nnaka
a demonstration IN the Caribbean sea in
order to draw the American fleets thither
and give the Cadiz fleet a chance to rayage
the American coast.
An Associated Press dispatob fron, -,d;
to Fl Heraldo de Madrid SAYS the port an
thorities at Cadiz announce that the re-
serve Meet, composed of the first-cIass bat
Tie snip Pelayo, the armored cruisers Em-
PeFador carlos and Alfonso XIII. the
newly equipped cruisers Rapido and Patria
with the torpedo-boat destroyers Audaz
and frosperina, will be ready for sea this
week. IVA NILS
The Paris correspondent of the Daily
Mail says: '
"A number of Spanish war vessels which
were recently destitute of armament have
Dseh supplied with Krupp guns. They have
also been supplied with all the necessaries
hicIudins German artiHerists."
"A special to the New York Herald from
CaHlz. Monday, says: The dock ward au
thoritlSs mere have announced that the re-
serve Meet. which would consist of the Pc
ia!o' the Carlos V. the Alfonso XIII and
the newly equipped cruisers the Ranido
anu lhe Patria, together with the torpedo
uestroyers Audaz and Prosperina will he
rea1y Tor sea in the middle of the present
week VI iS present
=, Ihere has been considerable difficulty in
She matter OF obtaining skilled engineers
Spanish engineers being unable to Obtain
lhe proper speed out of the torpedo
catchers. '0 peuo
ne Gira!da will probably accompany the
fleet as dispatch boat 'ii'
- popalarly surmised that the above
mentioned fleet goes TO the PHILIPPINES hut
eNTI!thinS depends upon what NAV hapnen
IN havana Were the first Spanish fieat 10
rake good position and should anv mis-.
pituhes occur 10 the United States war
shlps' the men-of-war now in Cadiz would
pS directed westward and not eastward
me Pelayo will be the flagship and SOW
erai armed transports will accomnanv IT,
fleet Apahv the