The San Francisco call., 1898-06-04


 harbor entrance is: one plan being con- sidered. A steam launch put off from the New York carefully explored every inlet to within two miles of Morro Cas- tie. The Vixen ran into several small creeks in search of the Spanish gun boats and several hours were spent in this examination.
 When Sampson returned he had a conference with captains on board the New York. Darkness brought a heavy rain squall, which made the work of preventing the escape of. the Spanish fleet doubly difficult, Thick curtain clouds came from behind the high mountains that wall in Santiago and spread canopy-like over the sea. Soon a veil of rain. obscured the shore and obliterated Morro Castle As the gloom gathered. Commodore Schley took the New Orleans, Iowa, Texas, Massachusetts, Mayflower' and Vixen and formed an inner guard line about three miles off the harbor, while Samp- son, with the remainder of the fleet, took position three miles further out, with the Oregon extremely eastward, close in, to prevent the vessels from slipping along shore. unobserved. News paper boats were warned to, keep at least five miles outside the fleet, the penalty being fired at without warn ing. Then the rain came and wrapped the entire landscape in gloom, and the searchlights on the :warships could not penetrate fifty yards
 Cervera could not have chosen a more favorable hour to slip through the blockade, but apparently he had not an 'dN" of making the attempt. Three hours later the squall passed away. the moon shed a white radiance over the land and sea, to be succeeded by an hours darkness just before dawn. after Luna retired. So passed the night.
 When day came the Texas was lying within two miles in shore. The twelve inch gun battery just east of Moro Castle fired at her. but missed by one hundred yards. The battleship did not reply. but slowly and disdainfully steamed outside of range. Shortly after dawn, a small steamship approached from the west to within five miles of the fleet, and then started away full speed. When the vessel was fully ten miles away, the New York started in pursuit, followed by the Porter. The trio were soon lost to view, and at noon the New York had not returned.
 During the forenoon the Adra dragged for cables within four miles of the batteries. but was not successful in locating them. Sampson intends to cut Cervera off from communication with Madrid as soon as possible
 There must be great apprehension in Santiago as the Spaniards witness the gradual strengthening of the American fleet, for they can expect nothing less than bombardment. If Cervera had any intention of venturing out to give bat tie Sanlpson's arrival with reinforce ments must have caused him to aban- don it.
 The appearance of Sampson on the scene was not relished by officers of Schley's squadron, who think it bad taste on the admirals part to interfere at this juncture. Some think it would be graceful for Sampson to return to the front of Havana, leaving Schley to deal with the situation. Unless decisive action is taken to reduce the batteries this blockade will probably continue until the end of the war, which will be more arduous the officers say than a prOtraCted enga Rernent.