The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1898-05-21
THE SPANISH FLEET,
The Navy Department Believes Tt
is at Santiago de Cuba.

WASHINGTON, May 20-Although
no official report that the Spanish fleet
is at Santiago de Cuba has been re-
ceived at the Navy Department. the de-
partment certainly believes such to be
the case, as viii be seen by the follow
ing bulletin posted at the close of office
hours:
The Navy Department has Informal
ton, which is believed to be authentic.
that the Spanish squadron under Admi-
raj Cervera is at Santiago de Cuba"
General Miles had another long con-
sultation to-day with Secretary Long,
and these protracted meetings are con-
strued here to mean that a point has
/ been reached in the campaign where
/ the army finds it necessary to call upon
the navy for conveys to take the troops
/ to Cuba. 1t is realized that this work
I is extra hazardous at present Conveys
/ always are exposed to destruction at
the hands of a determined enemy. and
/ with a squadron of fleet Spanish cruis-
e7s and torpedo boats of great speed
lying in wait somewhere near Cuba
nothing but the most formidable convoy
such as would be afforded by all of
SIMPSONS and Schleys ironclads. save
/ the monitors would suffice to give a
/ reasonable degree of protection against
attack
There are indications that the mill
tary expedition will make it's real start
from Key West, unless the atmosphere
clears. through the destruction or dis
appearance from Cuban waters of the
Spanish fleet. If the start is made from
Port Tampa the ships. with their heavy
loads of troops and stores. will be ex-
posed to attack for almost thirty hours,
not allowing for the possibility of
! spending much additional time off the
/ Cuban coast waiting for an opportunity
to land. On the other hand, if the start
is made from Key West, the final
stage Of the journey viii be reduced to
the daylight hours of one day
The report from Madrid that the
Spanish squadron is at Santiago was
received with some misgiving, but the
officials of the Cuban delegation here
considerate the report accurate, as it
, bears out what these officials pointed
out when the Spanish fleet first reached
Martinique. as to the probable course
the Spanish Admiral would take Being
we'll acquainted with the Cuban coast,
its facilities for landing, etc, Senior
/ Quesada said at the outset that Ad-
miral Cervera would seek to elude the
American fleet, and by a circuitOus
route would make for Santiago. This.
Mr. Quesada pointed out. was the nat
rual move by which the Spanish Admi-
raj would escape a battle, and would
be most secure in making a landing on
Cuban soil. The present reports appear
to bear out this theory.
mr.. Quesada said to-day that the
Spanish Admiral would find himself
seriously handicapped at Santiago. 1t
will be useless for him to attempt to
land provisions and supplies to succoI
Blanco at Havana as there is no rail
road communication between Santiago
and Havana, and an overland trip
would take six weeks or two months
Besides, the Cuban troops overrun the
eastern end of the island surrounding
Santiago. and it would be impossible
for Spanish supplies to be carried over
land through a country full of Cuban
bands. There are said to be about g.
coo Cuban troops in the immediate
neighborhood of Santiago, but reports
recently brought to the Cuban officials
here show that they have not ammu-
milton sufficient for an effective assault
on Santiago. If the Spanish fleet is
at Santiago, Mr.. Quesada says, about
all it can accomplish is to secure q
: base of operations in fairly well for
titled haTbor and also to lay in coal
from Golfers which are understood tC
have preceded the fleet there.