The news & observer., 1898-06-28
ASSAULTS ON THE
SPANISH COAST

NJ niNtOIt OOHG
Watson Win Join Sampson Probably in a Few
Days and Set Sail for Spain on The Fourth Of
IDLY, Dealing First, il May be, Blow at the
Canary Islands. Then Succession Of Heavy
and Rapid Blows viii Fall Upon The Spanish
Ports Forcing the Recall Of Camara, Provid-
ed Dewey has not Annihilated Him.
Washington, June 27-The administra-
tion to-day finally came to a decision TO
send an American squadron to the
Spanish coast and into the Mediterran.
Several times since the war broke out
rumors to this effect have circulated, but
the project had not matured; it required
the Spanish movement toward the Phil
ippines by Camara's squadron to decide
the Navy Department to adopt this bold
stroke.
The first announcement today
through a bulletin posted at the Navy
Department of the governments lnten-
ti0n was received with incredulity.
There was suspicion that the story
was being foated to deceive the Spanish
government; however, when later i'll the
day the detail of the vessels selected 10
constitute Commodore Watson's Eastern
squadron, was announced and official
orders were given to provision the fleet
for four months, it became apparent TO
the last doubter that the government was
in earnest in this purpose to despatch
the fleet to Europe. The three vessels
selected as cOlliers have started already
on their way to Newport News to take
on a large supply of coal. 1t will re-
quire about week to get this down to
SIMPSONS fleet so if the start is to be
made from that point it will be impos-
sible for Commodore Watson to get
away before the 4th of July. This wonld
seem to be an auspicious date for the be-
ginning Of an expedition that WILL for
the first time in the worlds history
start from the New World to attack
Continental Europe. No attempt is made
10 deny that the government is in
fuenced in ordering this movement by a
desire to check the progress eastward
o. the Cadiz fleet. 1t was not believed
that the Spanish admiral could be guilty
of the folly Of uncovering his home
ports in this fashion. but inasmuch as he
seems determined to do so the naval
strategists could not do less than take
advantage of tbs magnificent opportuni-
ty thus afforded to strike crushing
blow at Spain and thereby perhaps save
much time and loss of life and money
i'm the conduct of the tedious campaign
in Cuba.
The determination to send this squad
ron against Spain was the outcome Of
the direct official advices reaching the
State and Navy Departments as to the
progress of Admiral Camara's squadron
lnese advices give a list of the Spanish
ships now nearing the Suez Canal which
differs somewhat from the list given in
The press dispatches and by Lloyds. The
official list is as follows:
pelayo. Carlos ", Audaz, Osada.
Prosperpina. Patricia. Rapidp. Buenos
Ayres. Isle De Paney, Colon. Coyanddn-
ga and San Francisco. The additional
information comes from official sources
that this squadron is at Port Said. and
expects TO take on board 10000 tons Of
coal before entering the Snez Canal.
Snch a heavy coaling will take some
lllhe' II ulSctoseS also that the admIral
expects to make long sail, and is doubt
less, headed for the Philippines. point
which the officials here doubted Mt first
This squadron is the most formidable
Spain has afloat. in total tonnage
strength of individual ships, armor and
guns. ih--v~vs
1t is apparent that the main reliance
OF Camara's fleet is on the battleshin
Pelay0. the armored cruiser Carlos Y
and the two torpedo boat destrovers
Andaz and Osada. The others are aux
iliaries and colliers. AS there are only
two armored ships in. the lot. Admiral
Dewev's fleet of protected but unarmor.
ed ships will probably take care Of this
Spanish squadron. With the Monterey
added he could certainly do so.
The Eastern squadron which the Uni
ted States will now send against Spain.
far outranks this Spanish squadron the
Iowa and Oregon exceeding the Pelavo
ova Carlos Y at every point, while the
other Tinted States vessels are far sllDe-
rior, ship for ship, to those of the Span