The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1898-07-06
mines AND
BATTERIES.


Washington, July 5.-There is said to be
o,obstacle SO far as navigation Is con-
esmed, to the entrance Of the harbor by
the American fleet, The Cristobal Colon,
which cleared the Merrimac and got out Of
the harbor Sunday, drew 20 feet 8 inches,
which IL within seven inches of tho draft
OF the battleships Iowa. Indiana, Massa-
,chusetts and Oregon, and is greater than
che draft Of the batileship Texas.
SMoreover. the Navy Department has
known for ton days that the neck of the
channel was open, despite the sinking OF
the Merrimac, and that there was a clear
ssa way Of seven fathoms through which
any ship in our navy could sail.
: This removes all difficulty, except for
submarine mines, Or from the shore bat
tories. .
As to the mines, little account is taken
Of them since the Spanish fleet passed over
chem. The Spaniards use contact mines,
90 that there is little likelihood of their
boing mines operated by electric conncc-
ton with the shore.
; The forts and batteries have boon badly
weakened by the constant fire OF the fleet
for many weeks past, and while still fac
tor. they are greatly disabled.
1t is regarded AS likely that Admiral
Sampson will Immediately perhaps to
day-attack the Notifications at the en-
trance Of the harbor and forcehis way into
the bay of Santiago. Once there he will
b able to comm and the city absolutely
Rumors were current at the war depart
ment this afternoon that Simpsons fleet
already has entered the harbor. This could
not be confirmed in any official quarter.
One report was the signal officer had SO
reported to General Greedy, but the latter
said he had received nothing Of that ma.
ture.
Once up to the city the fleet and army
could combine in a terrific double fro No
less than 292 heavy guns would b. trained
from the American warships Oh their city
and ut the same time the big siege guns.
which, 1t Is expected, have been brought
10 the front of Skaters line would rain
down torrent Of steel from that quarter.
The seige guns throw shells Of l35
mounds. Aside from them there are four
large howi;zers and large number of
smaller ones. These are in the heavy ar
hllery, while the light artillery embraces
number of guns Of 3.2 caliber. Combined,
this fire from land and sea would be terri
DC in its effect.
| CONsUIS REPRESENTATIONS HEEDED.
The action of the foreign representatives
at Santiago has bssn On additiona! rea.
ION for tefsrring the bombardment. 1t
was made known late to-day thns ono Of
Geaeral Skaters despatch,s stated that
Ihe.e representatives had joined In re.
quest TO him to put off the Smelling of the
uity for another brief period until their
respective colonies could I've removed.
+ This accounts for the departure of the
foreign warships from Santiago harbor,
ms they are bearing away tho foreign resi-
Dents in the period before the lombard
nent begins.
CEyERA's REASON FOR FLIGHT.
J OF Santiago dc Cuba, July 4, via Kings
bon, Jami.a, July s. The following 5 ate
ment concerning the re cnt naval battle
vns made by the Spanish commander, Adj
miral Ccrverti, 10 Il correspondent OF the
Associated Press on board the battleship
Iowa:
ri would rather lose my ships at sea,
like u sa(iur, than In II harbor. IL was the
snly thiag left for Inc to do"
Admiral Cervera and other high Spanish
officials we're put OH board the ST. Louis
and will DO taken to New York, as prison.
srs of war,
Rome, July 5.-The official Government
organ has published crushing article
against Sagasta calling him d fool 1t
says tn. United States Is an instrument OF
Providence, which will not tolerate the
eternal ,cign of inquitv. Tho writer cons
stiers The battle of Santiago the most im-
portant event OF tn, century. Nothing Is
aeit for Spain but to beg for peace.
4 The Spanish Ambassador conferred
svith CIrdiaal Rampolla to-day on Papal
Intervention for en- ding tho war. Admire
Raiumbo, Minister of Marine, said;
'"Tlrc nnv,il battle at santiago was use
Less Sacrifice. The Spanish fleet had nc
chance of defeating the American.
think pcac,s, near at hand. Tho continu-
alton of he var will be Il crime"
Admiral Amezaza said: The honor o
In, lao, x,ai
Spain is now bound to ask for peace. l.
she still refuses to do 50 tho sympathy O
Europe Is lost
: Vienna, July "a communication Is
81 ID SCIENTIFICALLY toni ht states that i
Is thuughIin Austrian diplomatic circle
chat the moment for intervention in tn
wnr has not yet arrived. IL npppari from
this that Austria intends to attempt inter
yention wli>l the opportunity presents.
IL Is reported that the Emperor has sen
Atolugra,n ut condolences to tins Queen nc
zen over tha result Of the battle ut -0ntl
ago and Inc destruction Of CervCras llcet
The 'frnt has occAsiOned u bust G
sympathy t." spain in th3 Austrian press
Many Of .Ac Influential organs renew tn
demand for F.LrJpean Intervention.
Tho Continental! powers fear the growtt
Of Americas power, moro particularly a
che Is regarded rs the iuturo ally Of Eng
Land. They will do tnrir utt1rlnUst
prevent tho Unitcl States from anuexinl
the Philippines any other spanish tel
ritory, and also hinder her development 1
great naval and military power.
Peris, july The Temps this after
noun pub ishes an article headed "Peace
Necessary" during the course OF which
says:
= Perhaps ,h1 only service which Sent
Sasasta can now ronder to spain, his part
liberalism and himself is to open negoti,
81 MS for peace There has been enoue
DO Idshcd. battles and destruction
chips, forts and lives. II Spanish honor
mot now satisfied, when, in the name
Heaven, VIII it be-"
Washing, on, JAly . The Wa Depar
pent, notwith5t nd!ng the chnnge Of pl,
for the attack on santiago decide. tod
to press the preparations for tho Por
Rico expedition. Everything is to be p
In readiness for the descent on that islam
lust as soon as Santiago has been CO
tnred.
Tbta IL cyuprtn1 IN orrur in tho Deor Z