The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-05-15
Is Expected to Pass East Of the
Spaniards.
SAMPSON OFF SAN DOMINGO.
GunbOat Terror Only Spaniard Now
at Fort De France.

washington, May 14.-Definite official
information reached the authorities here
late this afternoon that the Spanish squad
ron has been sighted off the Island of Gu
racoa, one of the Dutch West Indies, ly-
ing off the north coast of Venezuela.
This information was regarded as of
vital Importance, as 1t not only fixed the
position of the enemy, but disclosed the
purpose of the Spanish admiral to elude
Admiral SIMPSONS fleet and make his way
through the Caribbean sea. probably to
Cuba
The Island of Curacao was originally
Spanish, and its people mainly by descend
ants Of Spaniards. though it is now one
of the Dutch possessions.
The Spanish admiraPs course was in
fluenced by the fact that the French cable,
starting from Caracas, Venezuela, touches
at the island of Curacao. thence proceed
ing northward through the Caribbean sea
to Hayti, with spurs running east and west
to Porto Rico and Cuba respectively.
He is thus enabled to get in touch from
Curacao with the Spanish authorities in
Cuba and Porto Rico and through them df-
rectiy with the Spanish admiralty at Mad
rid
No immediate battle with Admiral Samp-
sons fleet is now expected as the Span
iards II seems likely. have succeeded In
passing south of the American feet and
are now well to the westward of IL. As the
enemy is in reach of the cable the navy de-
partment regards it is of the most vital
concern that the exact whereabouts of the
American ships should not be made known
during the next few days.
Thus far they have felt handicapped ty
the fact that the Spanish, admiral knew
the whereabouts of our ships while we
were in state of doubt as to the local
Icy OF his. The officials here regard it as
essential during the next few days to
reverse this condition, so that the Span
ish admiral will be moving in the dark,
While our officers will be posted as to the
movements through the Caribbean The
department doubtless is informed as to
the whereabouts of Admiral SIMPSONS
squadron, but it does not see fit to give
any information on the subject, and the
same rigid silence prevails as to the where
ebouts and destination of Commodore
schleys flying squadron. The game mas
reached such critical stage that pre-
mature publication as to the Whereabouts
OF our ships might cause inestimable loss
and failure of present plans.
In one respect the maneuver of the
Spanish fleet is relief TO the naval Off
Gals here, as it seems to assure the safety
OF the battleship oregon. She is proceed
Ing from the north coast of South Ameri-
ca to join Admiral SIMPSONS fleet, and is
somewhere in the neghborhood of Marti-
nique. Had the Spanish squadron remain
ed at that point there would have been
serious danger that the Oregon would be
intercepted. Now however. she is well
out of the way of the spaniards, so long as
she follows the usual routes.
1t is not to be supposed that the navy
department, with a knowledge of the
whereabouts of the Spanish fleet, is go
ing to allow any of it's hard worked little
cruisers and gunboats engaged in blockade
duty on the Cuban coast to fall victims to
the huge Spanish iron clads. Their
commanders will be promptly advised of
the approach of the Spaniards, and it
may be set down as sure that unless the
department is satisfied that Admiral
Sampson or Commodore Schley can head
off and crush the Spaniards, the Ameri-
can blockade vessels Will be given per-
mission to take care of themselves and
get out Of harms way
The determined attack made by the
Asar5lehead and other vessels on the
ocean cables running seaward from Glen
fuegos shows that the government finds
1t necessary to cut off all communication
between Capt Gen. Blanco at Havana
and Spain by cable.
Al late hour tonight officials of the
navy department stated that they had re-
ceved no Information Of Admiral Samp-
sons fleet beyond the Associated Press
dispatches announcing it's arrival at Porto
Plata. Porto Plata Is a small seaport
on the North Dominican coast The French
cable runs through this point and also
run down to Curacao, where the Span
iards We're sighted.
From Curacao to Porto Plata Is