The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-06-01
SPANS RESERVE FLEET
LITTLE PROBABILITY THAT 1T WILL
EVER BE READY FOR SEA.
Camara's Squadron Now Undergoing
Speed TriaIs--Export Of silver Pro-
hibited-Weary of War.

LONDON, June 1.-The news of the fight
ing at Santiago de Cuba has revived the
'dwindling interest in the war 1t is sug-
gested that the Americans may be lombard
ing the forts in order to cover the laying of
mines or the sinking of hulks to block the
channel Credence is given the report that
Admiral Cervera tried to run the blockade
before the arrival of General Skaters ex-
petition. 1t is not believed that Commodore
Schley would venture to initiate Dewey S
feat at Manila Everything so far as Spain
is concerned, is now held to depend on Adj
miral Camara's movements, and unless, as
is unlikely, he is able to display mastery
SKILL it is evident that the bold strategy of
the Spaniards will only result in the de-
structon of their fleet in detail A second
reserve squadron could not be prepared for
months, as the vessels recently mentioned
by the Madrid press are all in a backward
state at Ferrol Cadiz and Cartagena except
the Numancia, the vittoria and the Dona
Maria de Molina, which could be ready in a
few weeks.
The Madrid correspondent of the Stand
ard. telegraphing Sunday by way of Bay
onne says: THE reserve squadron now
undergoing speed trials and gun trials out
side Cadiz is composed of the battle ship
Pelayo, with S21 men; the armored cruiser
Emperador Carlos V, with All men; the
cruiser Alfonso XII, with 361 men; the auxil-
larry cruisers Patricia and Rapido, each with
175 men, and four torpedo boat destroyers,
each with 100 men. When these vessels are
ready to start Admiral Camara hopes to
take with them seven transatlantic steamers
now preparing at C3diz. They are armed
with Krupp guns and quick-fring guns, and
carry 25O men each. They will serve at the
same time as carriers of coal and war stores
for the squadron. which will also carry a
strong force of marines and provisions for
six months.
Mail advices from Barcelona to the Daily
Chronical say: alongside the ironcIad
Numancia, orders to hurry the preparations
on which have just been received. lies the
Covadonga, of the Compania transatlantic
line Her masts and two tunnels have been
painted black and she is ready to go to
Cadiz for her armament The Isla de Panay
which is unloading, will be the next pre-
pared, and after her Will come the Iowa.
Sierra. AS additional defenses at Barcelona
the Span1ards are hastily erecting six large
guns, dated 1881, which have just been
mounted at Barcelonita- Three hundred en-
sineeTS are constructing new batteries at
Badalont, just under Montjuich fortress in
a corner undesirable from the harbor.
Platforms for three enormous guns are be-
ing erected with all speed The guns will
cover the harbor mouth with range of 200
yards. All Barcelona is heartily sick of the
war. The people regard it as merely a con-
tlnuat1on or the Cuban war which has
paralyZed business for three years. Re-
Gently the government called upon the man
u1acturers of Barcelona voluntarily to con-
tribute tR,OOO $3.50 COO for the defense Of
the town. They replied that they had al
ready paid most of the expenses of the gov
ernment, and of the defense of Spain, add
ING II the Yankee admiral comes here, we
shall invite him to dinner .