New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-07-16
WATSON SAILS TO-DAY.
RAIDING SQUADRON WILL
CARRY WAR TO SPAIN.
STRONG FORCE OF BATTLE-SHIPS AND
CRUISERS TO ATTACK THE EN-
EMYS COAST
fnY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE. ]


Washington July 15-The "Raiding Squad
ron" is expected to start for the coast OF Spain
tomorrow. The Navy Department understands
that Commodore Watson has his ships coaled to
the limit OF their bunker capacity. and nothing
should keep him another day at Guantanamo.
He ought TO pass Mole ST. Nicholas on Sunday
and. according to schedule. dispatch should
he sent by him through dispatch-boat or st
Thomas next Wednesday announcing his actual
departure from that vicinity upon the twenty
five hundred mile straishtaway course for the
Canares where his formidable force should ap-
pear about August 1. or few days later. de-
pending upon the state OF weather encountered
In mid-Atantic and the maximum speed OF his
GOLFERS. which must fix his rate OF progress.
After two days spent under the lee OF one Of
the unfortihed Canary Islands replenishing the
bunkers OF his fighting ships with fuel. the
final assault on Spain. scarcely two days distant.
will be promptly made and II the last Spanish
naval resources. represented by Camara's fleet.
cannot be entced from Cartagena to protect
Cadiz the American battle-nag will quickly be
displayed in the Mediterranean.
STRENGTH OF THE FLEET.
The feet as at present constituted. includes
two OF the best battle ships in the Navy. the
Oregon and the Massachusetts,; the protected
cruiser Newark the auxiliaries Yankee. Dixie
and Yosemite. with six colliers and supply
ship. The Oregon has become the flagship and
the Yankee is now at Hampton Roads prepared
TO start with final orders on Sunday to meet
the rest OF the squadron July % off St Thomas.
The GOLFERS carry 25.000 tons OF the best coal,
a sufficient quantity TO steam the feet all the
way to the Philippines and half way back. the
refrigerator ship Glacier having fresh food to
last two months.
While the Newark is capable OF a nineteen
knot speed for short distances. and the Massa-
chusetts and the Oregon each have records
above sixteen knots. It is unlikely that the
squadron will keep up average OF more than
ten knots an hour across the ocean. although.
unhampered by their colliers after leaving the
Canaries. a speed exceeding twelve knots will
be constantly maintained II will be the duty
the golfers and to the supply ship at all times.
leaving the two battle-shps and the Newark 70
undertake offensive operations.
PLENTY OF SHIPS FOR PORTO RICO.
The departure OF Commodore Watson's force
will leave the Iowa. the Indiana. the Brooklyn.
the New York. the Texas and the Puritan as
the armored vessels. under Admiral SIMPSONS
direct command. TO batter down the fortinca
tions at Porto RICO. and the cruisers Columbia,
Minneapolis. San Francisco New Orleans. De
troit. Montgomery and Marblehead to she'll
landing place for the Decentralization Of the
army OF occupation under General Miles.
largo number OF gunboats and other auxiliary
vessels Will be available 10 convoy the trans
ports Of the Porto Rican expedition. without
impairing the efficiency OF the Cuban blockade
by Withdrawing any - he numerous vessels
now on that duty. The authorities at Washing
ton are confident that an entire Army Corps
will be landed in Porto Rico before the "radng
sovadron" reaches the Canaries. and that the
ACQUISITION OF the island will be completed al
most simultaneously with Commodore Watson's
menace to the Spanish peninsula That these
two terrible blows. following so quickly upon
the surrender Of Santiago this week and the
occupation OF Manila. which Will probably oc-
cur next week will compel sprin to sue for
peace hardly admits Of the slightest doubt.