Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1898-05-27
mo NEWS OF BATTLE
Sensational War Rumors Are Not
Confirmed.
MANCROVE THOUGHT TO BE SAFE.
Secretary Long Believes Spanish
4 Squadron still Located mt sam
tiaEo de Cubn-Good Word
for the War Board.

Washington, May 25.-There was
lapse into sensational war rumors in
Washington Tuesday after week Of
comparative quietude. The rumors
ranged all the way from the capture OF
the little Mangrove, with a crew of 10
men, to the reported destruction of the
entire Spanish fleet by SIMPSONS and
Schley's combined forces. They We're
circulated with persistence, notwith-
standing their denial as soon as they
could be brought to the attention OF
amy official capable of passing judg-
fment on their accuracy. AS the day
rolled along the officials themselves be-
came apprehensive, as was shown by
the frequency with which they called
for the latest newspaper bulletins. AT
Fhe close of the day, however, it was
again announced in the most positive
manner that the navy department had
no information to warrant the report
of any sort of engagement in the Wind
Ward Passage. This did not specifically
cover the waters of the West Indies,
put in view of the fact that the depart
anent has almost pledged itself to let
the public know of anything In the
nature of general engagement, posi-
bly the bulletin announcement is sufi-
Client to cover the case.
Not Confirmed.
Washington, May 25.-After thu cab
met meeting Tuesday it was stated that
mo news of any Importance had been
reoe1ved from any quarter. The rumor
current in London that the American
and Spanish fleets had come together,
and that the Spaniards had been de-
stroyed, Is not credited by members of
the cabinet, who apparently have no
reason to expect an early engagement.
The fact, however, that the government
mas no knowledge Of the present
whereabouts of Admiral Cervera's fleet
teaves the question of the time when
CHE Spaniard may be overhauled mat
ter OF doubt. News is eagerly awaited,
and some irritation is expressed that
some one of the comparatively large
|Aumber OF swift scouts which we have
sn the southern waters has not been
Aple to locate the enemy and so bring
Hbout collision between the Aeets.
Long Has No Important News.
When Secretary Long started for
home, after an exceptionally busy day,
ne stated to group of newspaper men
that the department had received no
Information of Importance. In re-
Spouse to an inquiry as to where the
spanish feet was located, Mr.. Long re-
piled that his belief was that it was
Etill at Santiago de Cuba. Concerning
the reported capture of the Maneroye
and the loss of other ships, the secre-
tary dismissed these stories as purely
conlectaral and not supported by facts.
Word had come from the commander
pr the Mangrove since the time Of the
alleged capture, showing that the shin
could not have been in the hands Of the
Spanish. Mr.. Long paid handsome
Eribute to the war board. and stated
sEhat there was no purpose whatever Of
changing the present system whereby
Fhis board oooperates with him In civ
Eng every possible assistance and ad-
pice, mainly in the way of information,
TO the admirals in command. The Of.
dee OF the war board, the secretary
pointed out, was not to fight battles.
that was exclusively the province of
Fhe squadron commanders. The board
acted merely in an advisory way, and a,
po time had assumed executive func-
lions.
Spanish Activity.
The Spaniards appear to be making
ready for something more than de.
fensive campaign at home, or at least
fhey are trying to create that impress
sion by other means than news bull
letins that issue almost daily from
Madrid. The navy department now
has through its own reliable sources re-
ports OF the greatest activity in the
Spanish navy yards and Of the prepare
ton for sea and for long voyage of
two of the torpedo boat destroyers, 1t
fs given out that they are to join Ger
vera Immediately when his squadron
|enters Cadiz harbor. Possibly this
statement is made with deliberate
purpose of misleading American sailors
into the belief that Ceryera has taken
his way homeward.
Inquiries as to the whereabouts OF
the Oregon brought reply to the effect
That the battleship was safe. Nothing
could be learned of her location. 1t is
probable that the kilograms said to
have emanated from the vessel really
were filed at Key West, but were
brought to that port on some dispatch
boat from the Oregon, which is COOPER
ating with our fleets.
Cables Gut.
The cutting of the cables at SANTIAGO
and at San Juan de Puerto Rico, as re-
ported Tuesday, was military move of
The first Importance. Blanoo has vet
sone link left of communication with the
outer world, but the Spanish command
er at San Juan now finds himself totally
In the dark as to conditions in Spain or
On Cuba, while the value of that port az
Ia place of refuge for the Spanish flying
squadron is materially diminished. It
Us safe to say that the remaining cable
TO Santiago will be cut soon, like the
Others, SO that if Cervera is misguided
enough to have entered Santiago har-
Dor he will be completely out Of touch
with his home government on the one
hand and equally unable to communi-
cate with Blanco at the other end of the
Island.
Philippines Expedition.
The Philippines expedition is now off
In dead earnest. The sending OF these
ships will affect the Hawaiian question
Fitally. Like the Charleston, the trans.
ports must stop at Hawaii to replenish
their coal bunkers from the great heaps