Omaha daily bee., 1898-06-01
ADVANTAGE APPEARS TO Be WITH THE AMERICANS
Severe Fighting Takes Place, According to the Report, with the Issue
Shortly Before Nightfan Still Unsatisfactory Department at
Washington Has Received No Advices Concerning q
Battle and is Inclined to Discredit the Re-
port of a Clash Between Fleets.
Copyright. 1898. by the Associated

Copyright 1885, by the Associated Prss)
PORT AU PRINCE, Hayt, May 31-About 2 o'clock this afternoon an
American squadron composed of fourteen wr ships of which the cruiser New
York displayed thu flag of Rear Admiral Sampson, and a number of tor
pedo boats began a bombardment with heavy gun of the forts and the mr
Dor of Santiago de Cuba. The American fire vas directed principally against
the fots and the harbor
The forts Of Moro Castle, La zacupa and La Puta Carda suffered espe
The cannonadfng was persistent and cannot have failed to have been de-
stuctive. 1t lasted until 345 I. m.
The town, which is situated near the inner end of the habor. escaped
damage. At 3A5 D. N. the cannonade diminished.
About 3 O'Clock cannon discharges were heard at a distance presumably at
seal, continuing for m time, when the firing ceased completely.
The Spanish authorities maintain strict silence Is to the number of victims,
who were apparently numerous.
CAPE HAYTIEN, Hayt. May 31-515 n m-Adviees just received from
Havana say that since ? o'clock this afternoon Tho American fleet at santi
ago dc Cuba has been cannonadins the batteries OF Moro castle, La zacapa
and Punta Carda. AT thu same time 1t is added, the American ships nave
beer. engaged with the Spanish war ships. The firing was extremely heavy.
At $40 p m- the cannonading became less heavy against the fortidca-
IONS but ws more accumulated in the locality where the fleets were en-
gagged.
GAO p mat this hou the Santiago cable is still working from Santiago
Private messages intimate that there has been a severe fight between the
American feet and the outer fortfcatons and the Spanish fleet. The
fight lasted the greater part of ne afternoon. The advantage appears to have
oeh Win te americans According to the attest dvhest the combat is still
in progress.
Persons who climbed Lookout mountain a the entrance OF Cape Iaythn
harbor tisa afternoon declare tina. they heard cannonading, low but distinct,
to the west and to the north beyond Tortuga island.
The correspondent of the Associated Press who vas 1T the sgnal station
about the sam time also heard sounds resembling a cannonade. ~o wind
wa in the right direction to carry the detonatons to him.
1t seems certain that the feet tue IIayten gunboat saw passing Cape
Maysi going northward found Its opportunity of turning back across the
front of an opposing force.
Ills D. m.-According to advices from Spanish sources fourteen AmerL
car "A ships W torpedo boats were engaged in the combat. A care
full fire was directed againstt the batteries of Moro castle until 45 n m.
when discharges If cnnon began to be heard Mt sea off the port. These dis
charges continued until 4 O'Clock and then entirely ceased.
From the Spanish account it is impossible to judge as to the exact mers
of the encounter
Report iscredit n Washington.
WASHINGTON, May 31-Naval officials absolutely dscredit the new
rom Cape I1ayten to the effect that Commodore Schley forced III n
trance to Santiago bay mt engaged the Spanish fleet in the harbor.
While II o official advces have been received from Commodore ScIey since
the battle is reported to have occurred, the naval officials declare it is lot
only improbable, but in the circumstances almost impossible that n IT..
emp should nave been mad by tho American commander to force the en-
trance to the bay.
The latest official advices received from Commodore ScMey were contained
in a cablegram which came late this evening and in that the commodore
gives no indication of an intention to try to enter tn harbor.
While the contents of the spat ch we're no made public, the bulletin issued
IN it by the Navy department indicates that Commodore ScLley is still IL
deavorng to determine just what Spanish vessels are in the harbor. The
bulletin follows: s.
Commodore scheys net has sighted another vessel of the vlmaya class
in Santiago harbor"
The naval officers declare that Schey would O endeavor to forceh his wy
into the harbo. in view of the great difficulties of navigation which would
have to b. urmounted In the effort
The entrance to the harbor is a channel nearly nearly three fourths o a
the channel has plenty Of water to float the ships it is tortuous and a places
dangerous.
AT m point it twists sharply to the left as a vessel enters and naval off.
GERS say that it might become necessary ats some stages of the tide or a
ship to come almost If lot quite, to "A full stop a it made the turn.
Shore batteries line both sides of the channel and a vessel running 1t
would afford a target THAT not ever n Spanish gunner could fail to hit
MORO castle is at the entrance OF the arbr of Santiago d. Cuba, L zacapa,
asos shown on the maps as Lazecapa a short distance inside he harbor entrance. and
PuntaC Tda is situated on a point well inside The habr Of Santiago de Cuba. show
ing that the American fleet has entered the habor according to the Havana adynes,
by way of Cape Hayuen and has engaged the Spanish fleet in those waters.
IAIIEN PI FANS FOR RRYAN 1.-THE Third eimm fol- which call has be,