The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-07-06

Copyright. 1898, by the Associated Press)
Madrid, July Sd p. m)-Almost IN
dsscribable enthusiasm continues to
prevail here over the supposed escape
Of Admiral Cervera and his squadron
from the harbor of Santiago de Cuba.
The admirals name is on every tongue
AMI il is claimed that il was he who
saved Santiago de Cuba by adding to
General Linares handful of soldiers
his brave sailors to man the guns
ashore and repel the Americans under
General Shafter."
Such is about the exultant eulogy of
Admiral Cervera heard on all sides, this
state of public feeling being due to
the official announcements from San
tiago, For instance one statement
from Santiago is as follows
when Admiral Cervera found that
it was certain Colonel Escario's rein
forccments were in proximity to SAN
tiago, the admiral held a council with
the commanders of his squadron, dis
dosing to them plan to force the
blockade in broad daylight. The COM
manders responded unanimously 'ad
lnntc' forward).
TT was then arranged that the tor
pedo boat destroyers should take the
lead, feigning en- attack, and discharge
the torpednes against the enemy's
SHIPS, the Cristohal Colon protecting
their advance, sheltered by the batter
les of Morro castle and distracting the
enemys attention while the remainder
of tie squadron sailed out of the har-
Dor.
THE Americans first were taken by
surprise. Then recovering, they open
ed tremendous fire, especially against
the torpedo boat destroyers, which ves-
sells Admiral Cervera had instructed to
steer an opposite course to the squad
ron. The Americans were deceived and
manouvered toward the supposed
course of the Spaniards, while Ad-
miral Ccrvera went full steam ahead,
maintaining a continuous fire until
clear of the American lines and then
steamed away westward, pursued and
breasted for some distance by the
swiftest American vessels until they
were lost sight of from Moro castle.
TORPEDO BOATS SANK.
IN the meantime the torpedo boat
destroyers sank under a rain of shells
from the numerous American warshps.
1t is presumed part of their crew We're
saved Ey the enemy or swan ashore.
A number of life buoys were provided
on board the torpedo boat destroyers,
whose crews anticipated that their ves-
sells would be destroyed"
The foregoing is the popular Spanish
version of the sOrtie of Admiral Ger
vera from the harbor of Santiago de
Cuba and the sacrifice of the crews of
the torpedo boat destroyers is said to
he highly appreciated by the queen re-
gent, while the general public is over
joyed at their conduct.
1t is supposed here that Admiral
Cervera is running for Havana, since
he has not been reported as arriving
at Cierfuegos. and there will be tre-
nendous anxiety here until it is re-
ported that Admiral Cerverl and his
squadron are safe in Havana harbor.
Hopes are expressed in this city that
the Spanish admiral may capture or
destroy some American vessels while
on his way to Havana.
Foreign news giving contradictory
versions of the sortie have cast a tinge
of perplexity and dampness upon the
general rejoicing.
In military circles it is considered
that General Shafter has been checked,
that Rear Admiral Sampson has been
banned and that the aspect of the war
has been changed. but the universal
expression of opinion is that peace is
Impossible until something occurs
which is satisfactory to the national
feeling.