The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-05-29
THE STRAIN
POWERS OF SPANISH FLEET FOR
MISCHIEF AT AN END.
NOW FOR OFFENSIVE MOVE ELSEWHERE
Several of Schleys Ships Can Now be Spared
for Other Points, -ReaSsuring Advces
Received from Admiral Dewey
A Day of Rumors.

Washington, May 2S-The navy de-
partment received information to-day
which, for the first time, relieved Of
ficials of anxiety and doubt they have
felt for the last few days, and satisfied
them on two vital points; first, that
the American fleet under Commodore
Schley was outside Santiago harbor,
and second that Admiral Cevera's fleet
was inside that harbor This informa-
tion came from private sources, which
naval officials regard as thoroughly re-
liable. 1t is from the same source that
gave the navy department the first in
formation almost a week ago, that the
Spanish squadron was inside of Santiago
harbOr This source Of information has
proved itself reliable thus far, ana
for that reason the news received to-
day was accepted as conclusive. 1t
did not come from any naval or state
department officials. There is little
doubt, however, that it win be supple
mented by official advices from Admiral
Schley, if, indeed, such adyices are not
already here, though up to the close of
office hours the navy department had
not bulletined anything from Schley.
4 Il
pectancy, having learned from the press
despatch from Kingston that the scout
ing vessel Harvard was there with re-
ports for thef department. Secretary
Long went to the review at Camp Alger
during the afternoon, and in his absence
no information was made public.
Relying on the private dispatches re-
ceiyed, naval officers feel that the en-
tire situation is simpliied and the pow
ers of mischief by the Spanish feet are
at an end.
One distinguished officer remarked
that as a result of the information he
felt ten years younger since yesterday.
He had been seriously apprehensive thai
the Spanish fleet had succeeded in get
ting away, but the information of to-
day relieved his mind on that point. He
said that Commodore Schley could now
spare several of the ships from his squad,
ron to permit them to join in offensive
demonstrations elsewhere. All Schley
needs, it is pointed out, is a small force
to watch the entrance of Santiago har-
Dor. Two battleships and two cruisers
would be ample for this service, as such
force would largely Overmatch the
armored cruisers in the Spanish squad
ron. In this way Admiral Ceryera's
fleet can be pOcketed without keeping Il
large number of American ships out of
active service at other needed points.
In calculating on Keeping The Spaniards
penned ND in this fashion the officials
have taken into account the possibility
of the dispersion of the American block
aiding fleet by one Of the tropical cyclones
that are almost due ut tlis season. The
American fleet in such case would be-
obliged to cut and run for a neutral port
or to make its way by force into one Of
the Cuban ports Tor shelter In either
case it might be an opportunity for the
Spanish fleet to make its Cscane pro-
viding the commanding officers arc viii
ling to take the desperate chance Gf go
ing out in weather heavy enough to com
pei the big American ironclads to seek
shelter, unless We block the ha"b0r by
scuttlng barges in the channel. On her
way to this country the EiZsaya passed
through some very severe weather almost
approaching the cyclonic and proved that
the vessels of her class are able to with
stand such storms with perfect safety,
During the day the navy department.
posted a bulletin giving reassuring adj
vices from Admiral Dewey. This was
the only specific bit of information given
out during office hours. 1t was day
repete with rum0rs some of them oC
a very sensational nature. hut the va
rious reports of sangunary battles failed
of veritication and ultimately proved to
be groundless, so far as the reports reach
ing here disclosed.