The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1898-05-27
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Washington, ID. G., May 20.-It the
Spanish feet is at Santiago de CubsstAe
fact probably Is not known officially to
the navy department today, notwithstand-
ing that the department has been using
all of the machinery Of the consular serv.
ice in addition to the services of numer-
GUS scouting information to get in and
keep track Of the elusive foe.
The war board went Into session early
in the day, probably to consider and
weigh the newspaper reports AZ to the
movements of the Spanish feet.
+ The fact that the first report on that
point came from Madrid was regarded in
itself as suspicious circumstance, for It
is hardly to be supposed that the Span
iards are such simple strategists as to
advise us of their plans in that manner.
The other report was regarded as con-
firmatory Of the Madrid cable: namely,
that from the steamer Adula, upon close
reading, failed to indicate whether the
American or Spanish. Altogether the gen.
eral belief at the department was that the
whereabouts of the Spaniards are still
doubtful.
Gen. Miles had another long consulta-
ton this morning with Secretary Long,
and these repeated meetings are con-
OIL uCu uCAC ~ ulC0n tuuV a pVlut ud0 UCCN
reached in the campaign where the army
finds it necessary to call upon the navy
for conveys to take the troops to Cuba.
It is realized that this work is extra
hazardous at present.
Conveys always are exposed to de-
struction at the hands of determined
enemy. and with squadron of feet
of great speed lying in wait somewhere
near Cuba. nothing but the most for
midable convoy such as would be afford
ed by all of SIMPSONS and Schley's iron
clads, save the monitors, would suffice
to give reasonable degree of protec-
ton against attack.
There are indications that the military
expedition will make its real start from
Key West unless the atmosphere clears
through the destruction OF disappearance
from Cuban waters of the Spanish feet.
If the start is made from Port Tampa,
the ships, with their heavy loads of troops
and stores, will be exposed to attack al
most thirty hours, not allowing for the
possibility of spending additional time
of the Cuban coast waiting for an OPP
Rortunity to land. On the other hand, if
the start is made from Key West the
final stage of the journey will be reduced
TO the daylight hours of one day.
:. While the reports from Madrid that
the Spanish squadron Is at Santiago are
received with some misgiving, vet the Of
ficials of the Cuban delegation here con-
out what these officials pointed out when
the Spanish fleet first reached Martinique
as to the probable course the Spanish ad-
miral would take.
Being we'll acquainted with the Cuban
coast, it's facilities for landing, provision
ing, defense. etc, Secretary Quesada said
ut the outset that Admiral Cervera would
seek to elude the American fleets by
Santiago. This, Mr.. Quesada pointed
out. was the natural move by which the
Spanish admiral would escape battle
and would be most secure in making
ports appear to bear out this theory.
Mr.. Quesada said today that the Spanish
admiral would find himself seriously
handicapped at Santiago. 1t will be use
less for him to attempt to land provisions
and supplies to succor Banco at Havana,
as there is no railroad communication on
overland trip would take six weeks or
two months. Besides, MIR. Quesada says
the Cuban troops overrun the eastern end
of the island surrounding Santiago and it
would be impossible for Spanish supplies
to be carried overland through a country
full of Cuban bands.
Maj.-Gen.. Wesley Merritt, who is to
pines, accompanied by several members
of his staff. reported at the war depart
ment today and was in consultation with
Secretary Alger and the regular army Of
ficials concerning his future work. Later
in the day he will have talk with the
President and will receive instructions
for his guidance IN the delicate and i'm
portant duties assigned to him.
William Howell of New York, who was
private secretary to Former Secretaries of
the Navy Roosevelt and McAdoo, and; la.
ter has been connected with the strategy
tary to Gen. Merritt and will accompany
him to the Philippines. Mr.. Howell is
wei known in Washington and has rem
dered exceptionally good service during
his connection with the navy department,
particularly during the war preparations.