The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-05-29

Cape Verde Squadron Absolutely Powss Under the Guns
Few American Men-ofW War Cuban Bockading
Force Can Now Be Increased

WASHINGTON. May g. The navy
department rsceived information today
which for the frst time relieved officials
Of the anxiety and doubt that they have
felt for the last few days. and satisfied
them on two vital points: First. that the
American fleet under Commodore Schiey
is outside Santiago harbor. and second,
that Admiral Cervera's Spanish feet Is
inside that harbor.
This information came from private
sources which naval officers regard as
thoroughly reliable. from the same source
that gave the navy department the first
information almost a week ago that the
Spanish squadron was inside Santiago
harbor.
This source Of Information has proved
son the news received today was accept
ed as conclusive. It did not come from
any navy or state department officials.
There is little doubt. however, that it will
be supplemented by official Information
from Commodore Schley. II those advices
the closing hour the navy department had
not bulletined anything from Schley. The
officials were in a state OF expectancy.
having learned from tho press dispatches
from Kingston that the scouting vessel
Harvard was there with reports.
Secretary Long went to the review at
Camp Alger during the afternoon, and IN
his absence no information was made
pubic.
On Guard at the Entrance.
Relying upon the advices received. ma
val officials feel thai tn entirs military
sItustion = si1aptad- ~ the span-
ixfdS iasxdS I0 s1s39 j - kns cutasde oe
Santiago harbor, 1t Is said that the power
for mischief Of the Spanish fieet : al an
end. One distinguished officer remarked
that as result OF the information he felt
ten years younger than on yesterday. He
said Commodore Sehiey could now spare
several of the ships from his squadron to
permit them to join In offensive demon
stration elsewhere. All Schley needs, II
is pointed out, Is small force to watch
the entrance OF Santiago harbor. Two
battleships and two cruisers would be
amp.e for this service, as such force
would largely oyermateh the four arm
ored cruisers in the Spanish squadron. In.
this way Cervera's fee. can be pocketed
without keeping q large number OF Amer
scan ships out OF active service at other
needed points.
Danger From u Cyclone.
In calculating upon keeping the Span
iards penned up IN this fashion, the offi-
GERS have taken into account the possioii-
ity OF the dispersion OF the American
blockading fleets by one OF the tropical
cyclones which are almost due at this sea-
son. The American feet in such case
would be obliged TO run for some neutral
port or to make its way by force into
one OF the Cuban ports for shelter. In
either case there might be an opportunity
for the Spanish fleet to make its escape
providing the commanding officers were
willing to take the desperate chance OF
going out in weather heavy enough TO
compel the big American ironclads TO seek
shelter. unless we block the harbor BY
scuttiing a barge In the channel. On its
way to this country the Vizeaya passed
through some rough weather. almost
equa,ing a cyclone.
During the day the navy department
posted bulletin giving reassuring advices
from Admiral Dewey. This was the only
specific bit OF information given out during
fifteen hours. It was a day replete with
runners, some OF them or a very sensa-
tional nature. but the various reports OF
sangulnary engagements failed OF yer.-
flcation.
surely Caught In a Trap.
copyrighted. 1885, by the Associated Press.
KEY WEST May SIS p. n-Admirai
Cervera is imprisoned st Santiago De Cuba.
Advlces to this effect were brought here
this afternoon hv an auxiliary cruiser
which arrived from clenfuegos. prexuma-
bly, with dispatches for Washington.
Last Sunday the Scorpion left Cientuegos
and proceeded eastward on scout duty.
going as far as Santiago De Cuba. Five
of the auxiliary ships were then lying
of there. apparently waiting the arrival
Of the main division of the squadron.
After an aneven,fai trip the Scorpion ra-
turned se Cienfuegos. hat found that Com
rncdore Sch1sy Rad gone. leaving orders
for her 70 return TO Key West
The officers Of the gunboat when qGes-
sIan as 20 Admiral cervera's wherea bouts.
expressed ~ doubt Of his presence at
Santiago de- Cuba.
There is 50 little doubt about this thai
tAe naval campaign Is proceeding on the
assumption that Admiral cervsra is In
capable OF doing harm