The record-union., 1898-04-13
POWERFUL SPANISH FLEETS.
TWO BEING NOW RAPIDLY Or
CANNED.
One to Defend Spanish Coast, the
Other for Retaliatory Attacks
Upon Our Coasts.

NEW YORK. April 13.-AdviceS re-
ceived by the Navy Department indl-
cate that Spain is organizing as rapidly
as possible two powerful fleets which
WILL it is supposed, be opposed to the
! two fleets that this country has assem-
bled at Key West and at Hampton
Roads, says a Washington correspon-
dent OF the Times" One of her fleets
is forming at Puerto Grande, ST. Vim
cent, Cape Verde Islands, and the other
is forming at Cadiz, Spain.
Naval experts think that the fleet at
Cadiz is intended for the defense of the
Spanish coast from any attack by the
flying squadron, While the fleet that is
assembling at the Cape Verde Islands
is intended for retaliatory attacks upon
our coasts.
1t Is remarked that the latter fleet is
composed of very fast vessels, torpedo
boats, torpedo boat destroyers and swift
cruisers. Even the supply vessels of
this force are rapid, and could keep UP
with the moments Of the rest of the
fleet. 1t is just the kind of a squadron
that would be formed for the purpose
of attacking the coast, and in the mean
while lodging an enemys fleet.
1t is probable that it could keep out
of the way of the majority of Captain
Simpsons vessels, and it would not be
safe for one or two American ships to
leave the squadron too far and subject
themselves to a sudden attack by a
swarm of torpedo boats. If this Ameri-
can squadron keeps together, therefore,
it seems probable that the Spanish
feet, which is faster as whole, could
evade it on the high seas and choose it's
own way of fighting.
The plan presuppOses that the Span
ish fleet now rendezvoused in the Cape
Verde Islands Will move to the defense
of Havana, or else to draw off the Amer
ican ships by a fOray on our coast. 1t
is evident that Spain expects an attack
on Havana, and it was for this reason
that she withdrew the ViZcaya and AL
mrante Oquendo from that harbor.
1t is true that she has not, at least ac-
cording to the latest advices of the Navy
Department, moved this torpedo and
cruiser fleet farther in this direction,
but this is thought to be due to the fact
that she is afraid to start in this way
on its long journey across the ocean
lest war be declared and the fleet be
taken at great disadvantage by the
flying squadron which would be advised
of the outbreak of war instantly, and
could move across it's path. OF course,
if the Spaniards sailed from Porto
Grande they would come under sealed
orders, or on orders to look out for hos
tile American ships, but this would not
prepare them for sudden attack by the
flying squadron. which could pick it's
time and place for fighting.
If Havana is invested and the Span
ish fleet moves to it's assistance, part of
Captain SIMPSONS fleet would have to
meet it unless the flying squadron be
kept in these waters. The Cape De
Verde fleet is not strong enough now,
however, to make such precaution ne
cessary, and it is considered that the
Key West squadron will be sufficient
for the work of capturing Havana and
of holding the torpedo fiotilla at bay. or
of dispensing and destroying it. and al
low the flying squadron to carry out the
plan already worked out, of making "a
dash at the Canaries and cutting in two
Srains weak line of defense.