Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1898-05-28

Key West Fla, May 70, o'o1 a-Hi'
Copyrighted, 1898, by the Associated
Press)-lt is now almost certain that
Commodore Schley has the Spaniards
bottled up in the harbor of Santiago.
There is so little doubt about TINS
that the naval campaign is proceeding
on the assumption that Admiral Ger
vera is incapable of doing any harm.
Within few days the exact condi-
tions at Santiago will be known with
out shadow of doubt. In spite OF
assertions to the contrary, Commodore
schley was not absolutely sure of his
game when he last communicated with
Rear Admiral Sampson. and the COM
modore will not take up active steps to
block up the entrance of Santiago har-
bor until he is PERFECTLY certain that
Admiral Cervera's ships are inside.
However, he may have done this al
ready, as Commodore schleys last com
munication. forwarded on Tuesday, only
reached Rear Admiral Sampson yester-
day The commodore stayed three days
at Cienfuegos He siEnalled to his
ehlps: 81 believe the Spanish fleet is
IN the harbor.'
on this belief, a message was sent to
the American admiral. The details OF
how Commodore Schley found out that
he was mistaken are not known. At
any rate actin on the admral's in
structions, the commodore then moved
east. arriving outside Santiago We'd
nesday morning, May 20.
The topography of Cienfue-
Cos and Santiago is al
most Identical. Both harbors
aIe about six miles long, with narrow
entrances about 800 yards wide and
protected by highland. A whole fleet
could lie In the harbor of either place
aad be Invisible from the outside.
After his experience at Cienfuegos it
is probable that Commodore Schley
was very conservative in deciding
whether or not he had caught Admiral
Cervera. From the tone of his dis
patches 1t is evident that the commo-
dore soon gained much second hand
and external evidence which pointed to
Admiral Cervera's presence in the in
ncr harbor. This evidence was appar
ently strong enough TO make the com
mDlore feel certain the object OF his
trip had been accomplished, but In
view Of his previous experience he
would not risk decisive statement
until after ascertaining the fact FOR
himself.
Before this dispatch is published, It
is likely that Commodore SChley has
sent some vessels into the entrance of
Santiago, and obtained from reliable
source ashore information as to the
exact number and the names of tho
Spanish warships sheltered by the hills
about the place.
40 rIt-
opinion. Santiago harbor is poor
and San Juan de Porto
Rico. 1t has its MORO castle, which
Is even better target than those OF
Havana and San Juan. The only dan
ger to be feared IL from the mines
which have been laid in the channel
OF Santiago since war was declared.
But eountermlning would probably
render these mines harmless. should it
prove desirable for Commodore Schleys
shlps TO enter the hnrbor. Such
step however, is unlikely.
IN this connection it may be noted
mat since the commencement OF the
naval operations, the moral effect of
the mines has been great. This con-
uiton promises to continue and will
probably mark the naval operations
70 greater extent than ever imagined
In the past.
A prominent naval authority said to
the correspondent of the Associated
ffess: THE moral effect of torpedoes
and mines will prove far superior to
their actual effect In fact so great
is their moral force that / doubt
whether their powers of execution win
nave an opportunity to be Judged in
this war"
The blockade OF northern Cuba con-
tinues uneventful and is apparently
successful
Now that the element of uncertainty
regarding the Spanish ships where.
ahouts is almost entirely removed. the
snlps which We're solely occupied In
Mntchlng Tor the Spaniards have be-
oane an additional force for the block
ace and without any Inconvenience In
me change of position.
,0o.".tilodore Schley has been reinforced
nv position was clearly so strong
o o. Ihe reinforcement which he re-
.t eNeu made no difference to the
waters. ''' N''''''
me rumors Of the sailing of sec
u spanish squadron did not worry
lear ADMIRAL Sampson in the slightest
uesree' HIS feelings on the subject
w. aptly expressed recently when he
II an perfectly satisfied that we
have bagged those fellows'' (referring
10 Admiral Cervera's feeD.
hehr ADMIRAL Sampson does not
cross his bridges until he comes to them
una when that time comes his un-
eonquerable patience and strategic
anility can be relied upon to see him
safely across.
For the second time since war was
declared the admiral has been notified
lhat the army is ready to move.
rms is good news to all the naval
oilcers The two branches of the ser
vice have been playing game Of
Wait the army resting until the navy
disposed of the Spanish fleet. and the
navy unable to occupy much needed
5ases until the troops were ready for
debarkntion.
. In View of the fact that the Spanish
Neet was far faster than the Ameri-
can. and that the former had no de-