The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-05-28
Washington Bureau st. Paul Globe, /
Corcoran Building. {
Special to The St. Paul Globe.

Corcoran Building.
Special TO The st. Paul Globe.
WASHINGTON, May 27.-Oficial in
formation as to the situation in the
naval maneuvers of Admiral Sampson
and Commodore Schley is still lacking,
but perhaps the most important news
OF the week leaked out here today.
It is to the effect that Admiral Cerve-
ras fleet is in Santiago bay, has been
definitely located there by Commodore
Schley, who has perfected a complete
blockade Of the outlet of the Santiago
harbor. and has officially notified Ad-
miral Sampson to that effect. This in
formation came during the day in the
shape of dispatches from Key West
that gave details of the receipt of an
important communication from Com
modOre Schley by Admiral Sampson,
= but failed to divulge its contents, like
~ for the very good reason that Ad-
niral Sampson did not give out just
what Commodore Schley had commu-
nicated. II is believed, however, that
the dispatch informed the admiral that
Cervera was cut off from escape with
out giving battle, thus releasing the
squadron in SIMPSONS command from
virtual patrol duty to prevent Cervera
from dashing into Havana harbor.
where he would have the protection
of the heavy guns on the Notifications
in front of the Cuban capital
WHAT WILL FOLLOW.
If the good news be true there will
be sudden change in military tactics
1t is even limited that the council of
war held yesterday at the White house,
was 10 perfect plans for the immediate
invasion of Cuba by Gen. Miles COM
mand. With the Spanish fleet safely
bottled up in Santiago bay, there will
be nothing to prevent Admiral Samp-
sons ships from conveying any num-
Der of troop ships to Cuba and cover
ing their safe landing on Cuban soil.
This is given as an explanation of the
tardiness in sending troops to cooper
ate with the fleets in the reduction OF
Havana'-so long as the Whereabouts
of Cervera's squadron was not posi-
lively known, the attempt to make
land attack on Havana would have
been a most hazardous undertaking.
Now it is clear sailing, and within the
next twenty-four hours it is expected
that the order to the troops to move
upon the Cuban capital, protected by
the guns of Admiral Sampson's fleet,
will have been issued.
HAVANA HIS GOAL.
There is no longer a shadow of doubt
that 4 Adn1irTa1 a,
Havana harbor instead of Santiago
bay, but learning of the completeness
of the blockade patrol and the absolute
impossibility of reaching the Cuban
capital without encountering Admiral
SIMPSONS formidable squadron, the
Spanish commander made for Santiago
instead, in the hope of finding an op-
o portunity to slip out of that harbor
and sneak into Havana without giving
battle. 1t is also argued that Cervera
hoped, while at Santiago, to communi-
cate with Gen. Blanco at Havana. and
thus secure valuable information as to
the best course to pursue in order to
clrcumvent the American fleets 1t is
possible that Cervera learned after ar
irving at Santiago, of the absolute
futility of an attempt to dash into Ha-
Vana While the Americans were nap
ping, and hence. is virtually a prisoner
there, not of choice, but by necessity.
EQUAL TO A DEFEAT.
Admiral Cerveras position is, there
fore, virtually equal to the one he
would occupy had he met the American
squadron and been defeated Bottled
UP in Santiago bay his fleet is as
powerless as though it had been ami
hilated. With Schley on guard, the
remaining warships of the American
navy can be utilized in operations by
the land forces, which means invasion
of Cuba. Manila is already provided
for. and Porto Rico can wait The next
move on the war checkerboard, then,