The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-08-14
ON A wrLo GOOSE CHASE.
Sampson Heard IsIanco Had Escaped
from Havana


PLAYA DEL ESTE, Aug. 13. n. m.-Tbe
American war ships New York, BROOKLYN
Oregon, In1iana, Iowa and Massachusetts
VIII sail tomorrow fqr Tonpkinsville, un-
less the Navy Department decides that they
shall wait for the troops from Santiago de
Cuba. Admiral Sampson thinks it would be
unwise to take the troops aboard the war
ships, on account of the possible infection
by disease, and also because the ships have
hardly any accommodations If the troops
| are taken the vessels will be delayed two
CT three days.
Great pleasure is expressed among the
fleet over the satisfactory progress of the
peace negotiations Admiral Sampson and
his entire command, however are ready to
go at it again at any moment if it should
become necessary, but the impression ex-
lists that the navy's work is practically
done.
Commodore Watson left this afternoon on
the Badger to raise the southern blockade
and take the marines off the Isle of Pines.
where IT. is thought they were landed yes
terday or the day before. Commodore
Watson will transfer his flag to the New
ark and remain here until the southern
blockading vessels and the Porto Rican
ships are assembled in this way. He will
then probably go to Key West, where Com
n4odore Howell will assemble the northern
blockading ships. The monitors will stay at
Guantanamo. BY Monday, Admiral Samp-
son says, the blockade will be thoroughly
raised
The st. Louis and ST. Paul left Thursday
for New York with some of General Shat
ter's troops. The New York, with Admiral
Sampson on board, returned here this morn
ing, after two days absence. She sailed
on Wednesday night, the admiral wishing
to inspect the Maria Teresa. All day
Thursday the New York's crew worked to
tighten the Maria Teresa, which work has
been neglected.
Thursday evening the Scorpion conveyed
to Admiral Sampson Washington dispatches
from Playa del Este stating that it was ru-
mored that Captain General Blanco had es-
capped from Havana, possibly on the steamer
Montserrat. Commodore Watson was COM
municated with and the Dixie and Yankee
were sent to the Bahama channel to head
Blanco off.
Admiral Sampson at once decided to leave
the Maria Teresa and go to the western ex-
tremity of Jamaica to intercept Blanco
should he attempt to escape In that direc-
ton. The flagship made sixteen knots an
IlOuI uSSplIe the IOulilSSS OIL nST DOtIOIn ana
arrived off Jamaica yesterday morning and
cruised around
Probably the last gun of the war was
fired by the New York at the British tramp
steamer Acme, which was chased and hove
to outside the three-mile short limit She
was bound from Cape Verde for Mobile,
and, being evidently all right was allowed
to proceed The New York then returned
to Guantanamo.
Admiral Sampson says he thinks the
Maria Teresa will be got off all right when
she has been lightered, which work will
take probably a week or more. Lighters are
to be procured from Santiago. Captain
Pilsbury is overlooking the work of the
wrecking company.
Thursday evening Commodore Watson in
structed Commodore Schley to go to the
southern blockading line and warn the ships
of the rumored escape of Blanco While
leaving the harbor the Brooklyn, in endeav-
oring to get out of the way of a. transport.
went hard aground and did not get off until
yesterday afternoon. when she was hauled
OF by the Oregon. No damage was done 10
the ship. but it was too late then for her
to perform the mission on which she was
sent. The Vixen was sent after the New
York yesterday but returned in the after
noon.
The Scorpion, while on her way to sam
tiago last night fired blank charge at the
German cruiser Geier. Mutual recognition
followed ard the Geier proceeded eastward.