The Indianapolis journal., 1898-05-28
He Is still Relieved TO BE Bottled Up
In Santiago Harbor, but the De-
sired Proof Is Lacking.
ADMIRAL SIMPSONS REPORT
ON THE BOMBARDMENT OF THE SAN
JUAN DE PUERTO RICO FORTS.
Ceased Firing After Testing Strength
of Batteries and Einding the
Spanish Fleet Was Not There.

WASHINGTON. May 27-The military
situation, as at present determined upon by
those in authority, is to make no forward
movement of troops, either upon Porto Rico
or Cuba, until full and definite information
is received as to the location of the Spanish
squadron and it's possibilities as a factor in
the aggressive movements of Spain. That
being the positive determination, there is no
present purpose to hurry forward the troops
now at the several points of concentration,
but the interval prior to an aggressive for
ward movement will be employed in season
ing the men. Steps have been taken to
cure early information as to whether Ad-
miral Cerveras squadron is inside Santiago
harbor and whether the American squad
ron has such an advantage of position out
side the harbor as to make the escape of
the Spaniards practically impossible For
the last few days army circles have shared
public belief that the Spanish ships were
trapped in Santiago harbor, and that has
given impetus to arrangements by which
large bodies of troops at Chickamauga and
elsewhere might be moved forward rapidly
to Tampa for embarkation. The presence of
thirty more transports in Florida waters
added to the conviction that a movement on
large scale was about to occur. All this
has been going on with the understanding
that Admiral Cervera's career as a possible
menace in the rear of our troops had been
cut off by his being securely held within
Santiago harbor, but in the absence of posi-
tive Information on this point. together with
the certainty that he can be held INSIDE the
harbor, there is no purpose whatever on the
part of the War Department to make an ag-
gressive forward movement on Cuba or
Porto Rico. This was stated tonight in a
positive manner and from an authoritative
source
Unless the Navy Department succeeds in
securing some direct and official informa-
tion respecting the Spanish and the Ameri-
can fleets within the next twenty-four
hours. through the aid of the West Indian
cables, it will resort to the use of dispatch
boats. 1t can be again affirmed on the high
est authority. and Notwithstanding all ru-
mors to the contrary, that, at the close of
the day. the department had nothing more
than belief, founded on unofficial advices,
that the Spanish squadron was lying in San
tiago harbor and no news as to Commodore
Schley's whereabouts. However the great
majority of the officials of the Navy De-
partment entertain no doubt that Cervera
Is within Santiago harbor. and they have
succeeded in impressing this belief upon the
President and the members of the Cabinet.
The reports from the newspaper dispatch
boats as to the movements of SIMPSONS
and Schley's squadrons during the past week
are very mystifying, even to the naval off,
GERS here, and one of them called attention
to a statement coming from the West Indies
TO the effect that twelve war vessels were
seen for a short time off Cienfuegos We'd
nesday. This, he thought, was Schley's
Ivl,
have covered the distance between Cienfue.
gos and Santiago with sIow-moving fleet
OF ironcads in less than two days in which
case Schley would not be due off Santiago
until some time to-day. OF course, all this is
speculative. but it shows that there is still
an element of doubt in the departments
calculations as to the whereabouts of the
fleets.
1t was announced to-day that Holland
the inventor of the submarine boat of that
name. was expected here tomorrow to dis
cuss with Captain ONei chief of ordnance,
the feasibility of using that novel craft in
an attack upon the Spanish squadron at
Santiago IL the vesss are still there. The
officials are disposed to receive in kindly
spirit any suggestion that might prove to be
valuable In this line. and they will talk with
MT Holland over the details of his scheme
rumor that General Miles was about to de-
part on his trip 10 Tampa. which is of
course construed to mean the direct be-
ginning OF the invasion of Cuba. AS a mat
ter OF fact. there is just as much founda-
uon Tor this statement to-day as during any
day IN the past week. The commanding
general mas had special car ready for him
self and staff. lying In the PENNSYLVANIA
Hallway station In this city, ready TO start
al moments notice for Tampa He has
been anxious to depart for many 1a,,s nas,
and has been restrained only because condi.
tions were not ripe for the movement When
that moment arrives a start Will he made
but whether 1t will he tonight ar a week
hence is absolutely not known ar th,s mo-
ment, even to General Miles himself
Another rumor which was revival ,o-da,,
with some degree OF plausibility related 70
certain attempts the part of representa-
tves of European powers to secure neaca
through direct representations TO the Jynited
States government. Like the other r11mors
this meets with absolute and unaualibed
denial at the State Department. and so far
as known. neither in Europe throueb the
United States representatives norsin Wash
ington has our government been approached
on this subject. The frequent renetttion of
this story is believed by the officials Ia he
perhaps in the execution of a policy of in
Quiry with view to sounding public semi
ment In this country as to the terms of
peace that probably would be acceptable
The conditions mentioned in these stories
the retention by Spain of the Philippines
and Porto Rico in return for the release NJ
Cuba-represent the very minimum offer
fEh hn