Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-05-13
Chances Between Schley's and
Spanish Fleets Equal.
GENERAL FEELING At TIE CAPITOL
Simpsons Vessels Able to Take
Care of Themselves.
ENEMY MAY OUTSAIL HIM

The war news was discussed with great
interest at the Capitol today. More excite
ment was shown among members of the
House and senators than has been mani
tested at any time in the past. The main
topic was the prospect of the Spanish fleet
getting to Cuba before 1t could be inter-
cepted by either the Sampson or the Schley
Meet. Nearly every one had a theory on
the sltatfon, and the prevailing opinion
expressed by 1.-THE experts was that Cuba
would be the destination of the Spanish
fleet.
II was said that there would probably
be race for Cuba, the Spanish trying to
get to Cienfuegos.
IL was regarded as extremely doubtful
whether. if the Spanish fleet makes a dash
to Cuba. Sampson, with his siow-going
fleet. would be able to intercept it, and it
was believed that there is about an even
chance of the Spanish fleet and Schley's
feet getting to Cuba first
Some who had visited the Navy Depart
nent during the morning said that it ap-
peared that the strategy board expected
the Spanish fleet to go to Porto Rico and
tight Sampson. but this view was not gem
orally accepted by the congressional ex-
perts.
Inc Definite information that the Spanish
meet was at Martinique turned interest from
the commandment of San Juan, Porto Rico,
10 the more serious and decisive engage
ineht looked for In political circles sur
prise Is expressed that our fee. should
nave been occupied in an attack upon San
Juan while the Spanish fleet, which was
the first object of Admiral Sampson's
search. was at Martinique 1t is explained
hot Il,
that the Cape Verde fleet was at Cadiz, and
that Sampson had not been able to find any
signs of the vessels in the West Indian
waters.
Might Give Sampson the Slip.
1t is said that Admiral SIMPSONS fleet is
in no way weakened by reason of his en-
gagement at San Juan. and that he is fully
able to meet the Spanish fleet The chief
apprehension is that he may not be able
to move fast enough to intercept the Span
ish fleet, and that the latter may by TAX
ing southwestern course, be able to avoid
him and to proceed at once to Cuba.
The opinion is commonly expressed that
the design of the Spanish fleet is not to go
to Porto Rico, but to proceed as rapidly
as possible to Havana for the purpose of
raising the blockade there during the alb
that the President received a dispatch this
morning stating that the Spanish fleet
at Fort de France was coaling from two
large transatlantic steamers. 1t is cal
culated that this feet, being well supplied
with coal at that point. can move with
great rapidity upon Cuba, and that Samp-
son could not catch them.
SchIcy's Mission.
The understanding at the Capitol this
morning was that Commodore Schley's
fleet had been ordered to Join Admiral
Sampson, but this plan had been changed
and the fleet was to sail for Cuba, with the
purpose of cutting off the Spanish fleet at
the Windward Passage. Schley has in his
fleet the Brooklyn, the Texas, the Mime
ar oils, the New Orleans, the st. Paul the
Massachusetts, and the VeSuvus The Mi
antonomoh is the only effective fighting
vessel we now have In Cuban waters The
rest are small vessels.
SIMPSONS fleet, the experts say, is able
to COPE with the Spanish fleet and the
only anxiety Is as to the chances of The
race. If the Spanish fleet should get to
Havana first it could raise the blockade,
OR 1t might go to Cienfuegos, on the south
coast. and establish base of supplies,
The report thai some small Spanish YES
sells have been seer in our northern waters
Is not regarded as improbable, but it causes
no ureasiness, since it is declared that
there are no Spanish vessels in that quar-
ter which could do much damage