Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-05-21
MISLEADING REPORTS
Key West Dispatches Regarded as
Lacking Accuracy.
CENSORSHIP over The CABLE
Movements of Our Ships Not Cor
rect|y Stated.
WHY CERVERA IS HIDING


Inc general impression mere, encouraged
by intimations from sources where exact
information might be possessed, is that the
dispatches from Key West announcing the
movements of the American fleet mis-
leading. The belief is that the movements
described have either taken place sonre
time before the date announced, or else the
information is altogether inaccurate.
For instance, it is intimated today that
the whole of SIMPSONS fleet has not been
at Key West. For the past three days the
correspondents at Key West have been try
ing to get through the censor dispatches
concerning important movements, but have
been unable to do so. This in itself indi- =
Gates that the dispatches which are re-
ceived do not disclose the situation in that
quarter. The belief here is that Admiral
Sampson has not but just now moved from
Key West, but that, the contrary, he
has had vessels on guard near the Wind
ward Passage ever since the return of the
fleet to San Juan. and that whatever i'm
portant movement has been undertaken in
consequence of information concerning the
whereabouts of the Spanish fleet is at least
thirty-six hours DID, and dio not start from
Key West yesterday as the dispatches indi-
cate.
The Navy Department is expecting devel-
opments at an earlier hour than would be
possible if the Sampson fleet had departed
from Key West as recently the morning
press dispatches state. 1t is believed that
the Information possessed at Key West,
which the government censors are so dill
gently and vigorously suppressing, relates
to the embarkation of troops for the inva-
sion of Cuba. There is said to have been
no change in the plan of the government to
press this invasion rapidly possible,
and this being true there should be some
important developments in that connection
at Key West and Tampa about this time.
Cervern Expecting Aid.
The conviction is becoming strong in all
quarters here that the Spanish Admiral
Cervera is expecting reinforcements, and
that 1t is on account of his awaiting the
arrival of other vessels that he is so active
ly avoiding q meeting with our fleet. 1t is
argued that his coming to American waters
could not be for the purpose of doing moth
ing but cruising, and that if he has to risk
an engagement he can gain nothing by de-
lay unless reinforcements are to be eX-
pected. If he were not to be reinforced
and he should be compelled to place his en-
tire reliance upon the vessels he now has
with him. the longer he delayed action the
weaker and less effective his force would
bottoms of his vessels are fouling, while
the American fleet which he has to meet
is being augmented in strength and i'm
proved in condition. At the same time the
condition Of Blanco in Havana is not I'M
proving, and after the Spanish army has
been reduced to the verge of starvation 1t
cannot be as strong to cooperate with Ad-
miral Cervera's fleet as it would be at this
time. From all this it is argued that the
Spanish admiral would not indulge in this
debiltating delay except in the expecta-
tion of having his fleet strengthened by the
addition of vessels which have left Cadiz.
1t is perfectly plain that he is doing every
thing in his power to avoid an engagement.
Gen. Miles and Secretary Long.
The Navy and War Departments were
scenes of great activity today. and on every
side there were signs Of urgent prepara-
tions for action on a largo scale. General
Miles had another long interview with Sec
retary Long, and the impression is growing
that the military preparations are being
urged. that the troops will be ready to
start for Cuba at the moment when the
;:avy gives notice that it is prepared to
Florida to Cuba.
Nurses on n Hospital Ship.
Notwithstanding the recent official state
ment that women would not be allow
ed to serve as nurses on ships Of the United
States during the war, six young women
from Johns Hopkins University Hospital
have secured permission from the War De-
partment to join the corps Of nurses as
signed to the steamship John Englis, now
being fitted out at the New York navy yard
as military hospital ship. The full COM.
plement of nurses for this vessel Is twelve.
The other six will be men taken from the
hospital corps Of the army. The six women
nurses are said to have been the best at
the Johns Hopkins Hospital The John
Englis will not only be floating hospital,
but also an ambulance ship to convey
wounded from Cuba to Tampa. whence they
may be sent to Norfolk. Fort Monroe,
Washington or other places.
NAVAL ORDERS.