The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-04-28
CONFLICTING REPORTS.
RumOrs Concerning Spanish War
ShiDs-Fast Time by the AudaZ.

LONDON. April 27.-Reports as to The
wherea bouts of the Spanish fleets continue
to be conflicting, and are evidently sent out
to hoodwink Americans. If all the rumors
were true Spain would have the greatest
navy in the world. Dispatches received to-
day say her ships have been seen in the
English channel, in the Mediterranean near
Gibraltar, off the north coast of Ireland,
at the Cape Verde islands and at various
other places. A Guernsey pilot reports hav-
ing sighted two Spanish torpedo boats
northeast OF the Caskets and large armed
ship between Douvres Rock and Ushant.
He adds that they were evidently on the
lookout for American vessels.
dispatch from Malin Head. north of Ire
land says vessel believed to be a Span
ish war ship, passed there yesterday even
ing
Special dispatches from Gibraltar filed to-
day were received this evening. They an
nounce that the Spanish battle ship Pelayo
accompanied by a Spanish torpedo boat,
was passing the rock at the time the mes
sages were filed bound for Cadiz. At the
same hour two Spanish torpedo boats were
at anchor in the Bay of Algeiras, adjoining
Gibraltar and apparently watching the
straits for American ships.
According TO letter just received at
Bayonne. France. from Madrid, dated from
the Spanish capital on Tuesday, a Spanish
squadron, consisting of four ironclads and
three torpedo boat destroyers, sailed for
the United States yesterday. 1t was rumored
that the Spanish squadron was to steam di-
rect across the Atlantic and lombard the
northern ports of the United States. The
port from which this squadron sailed was
not mentioned. 1t was added, however, that
a second squadron, consisting of four iron
clads and two cruisers, was being formed at
Cadiz It's destinat On was unknown.
1t is reported from Madrid that the desti-
nation of the Spanish fleet which is said to
have been at sea for some days, is unknown
to anyone but the minister of marine, Ad-
miral Bermejo. But it is added that news
is expected before long, at the Spanish
capital of the bombardment of American
coast towns. The reports from Madrid also
say that the Spanish naval authorities are
satisfied that Spain can easily force the
blockade OF cuba, when she desires do so.
But in the meantime-it is explained as the
governors of Cuba and Porto Rico have adj
vised the Spanish government that they do
not need the fleet. the government has de-
cided TO utilize the war ships elsewhere"
The Spanish torpedo boat destroyer
Audaz, which was ordered to leave Queens
town by the British officials, owing to neu-
trality proclamation on Monday last. ar
rived at Ferroll at noon on Tuesday, after
having steamed six hundred miles in thirty
one hours. She left Queenstown at about
o'clock Monday morning.
A dispatch from St Vincent, Cape Verde
islands, dated 4:OS a. M, says: At this hour
the Spanish fleet is still here awaiting
orders The sailors are not being exercised.
GIBRALTAR, April q, S:15 p. Mall day
long Spanish war ship and torpedo boat
destroyer have been cruising in the Straits
of Gibraltar, evidently the lookout for
vessels carrying the American flag. Late
this afternoon the torpedo boat DESTROYER
anchored off Ceuta, Morocco, opposite Glib
raltar. The war ship proceeded westward
According TO special dispatch from Cadiz
the new torpedo boat destroyer Destructor
accompanied by three torpedo boats, sailed
Yesterday "wednesday for Tarifa and
Ceuta probably to attempt to capture
American yachts in the Mediterranean.