The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1898-11-26

WASHINGTON, D. c., Nov. 2S.-The
annual report Of the secretary Of navy
is much longer than the usual annual
report. The first sentence explains this
as follows:
"For the first time since its rehablli-
tatlon the navy has been put to the su-
preme test OF war. Years Of patient,
persistent training and development had
brought It to a point OF high efficiency
which resulted in the unparalleled VIC
tories at Manila and santlago-vIctor-
les which have given the name of our
naval commanders worldwide fame
ana added an additional page to the
glorious naval history of our country" T"
The report describes in rapid order
the steps that were taken to consoli-
date the squadrons and put the navy in
readiness for hostIlitles. sigsbee's IA
nous telegram. asking a suspension Of
public opinion In connection with the
blowing up OF the Maine, is quoted and
the secretary says: This Judlclous tel
egram did much to secure in the public
minds dispasslonate view of the dis
aster."
The story of Dewey's victory at Ma
nila is told, and OF it the secretary says;
aside from the mere fact OF having
won without the loss OF single life,
such brilliant and electrifSing victory
at the very outset of the war, with all
the confidence which 1t infused through
out the country and into the personnel
of every branch OF the service, 1t re-
moved at once all apprehension for the
Pacific coast. The indirect pecnniary
advantage to the United States In the
way of saving an Increase of insurance
rates and in assuring the country OF
freedom from attack on that coast, is
incalculable."
The secretary tells how Cervera's
fleet, having sailed from Cape Verde
islands, for an unknown destination,
Sampson sailed east with portion OF
his feet for the purpose of observa-
tion. At Cape HaytIen, May Z. the de-
partment advised him that the Spanish
squadron was reported at st. Thomas.
SNm Jnam Bombnrdmrnt.
The following statement explains off,
cially why the bombardment of San
Juan was not forced to an end. In
structlons were also received that the
vessels accompanying him were not to
be rlsked or crippled in the lombard
ment OF fortIflcatlons, as It was consld-
cred unwise to risk any OF the vessels
of our navy until the Spanish fleet
should have been met and destroyed.
The squadron did not arrive off San
Juan until the morning OF the 18th. A
bombardment OF the place followed for
two hours and half, but as there was
no land forces to hold 1t in case OF its
| surrender and as the Spanish fleet was
not there, It was determined to return
to Havana, where 1t was possible Ger
vera might have gone.
The report shows that the flying
squadron under Schley, was ordered to
Cienfuegos upon notice that Cervera's 8
squadron had been seen off Curacao.
But on May 20, the department having
heard that Cervera was at Santiago,
advised Sampson to order Schley to
proceed Off that port. By the Marble
| head, Schley was instructed to proceed
| to Santiago II he was satisfied that the
Spanish squadron was not at Cienfue-
Eos. On May %, Sampson had dis
patched first that Cervera was in San
tlago on the 2lst and also that he was
expected to visit San Juan and that
Schley should follow him. This sent
Sampson into the Nicholas channel to
prevent an approach from that direc-
| tIon. on the 26th Sampson received
from Schley n letter dated the 23rd,
stating that he was not satisfied that
the Spanish squadron was not at Glen
fuegos, and that he would therefore re-
main off that point with his squadron.
The next day Schley was informed that
CerVera had been in Santiago from the
| 18th to the 25th and he was directed to
proceed with all dispatch to that port.
At this time he telegraphed Sampson,
under date OF the Path. that coallng of
| Cienfuegos was very uncertain; thai
the Spanish feet was not In Cienfuegos;
that he would get eastward on the 25th,
but that on account OF short coal sup
ply he could not blockade IL Cervera
was In Santiago, but would go to Mich
olas Mole to communicate.
BottIInG up CCrvcr".
Upon receiving this information,
Sampson decided to go to Key West for
coal at once, and If authorized. to pro-
ceed to Santiago In person. schleV left
Clenfuegos on the 24th and stopped on
the following day, twenty miles south
east OF Santiago, to repair the collier
Merrlmac, at y. M. At 7:5O y. m. he
signalled to the squadron: Destination
Key West, via South Side OF Cuba and
Yucatan channel, as soon as collier iH
ready; speed nine knots"
After steamIng to the westward until
11:2O p M, the squadron again stopped
TO make repairs TO the Yale"
ON the morning. OF the eth, the Har-
ward from Mole St. Nicholas, delivered
TO Commodore Schley the following dis
patch:
Harvard, st. Nicholas Mole. Haytl:
"'Proceed at once and inform SchlcY
and also the senior officer present of
Santiago as follows: All departments
Information Indicates Spanish division
is still Mt Santiago. The department
looks to you to ascertain facts and that
the enemy II there in does not leave
without n decisive action Cubans IA
milar with Santiago say that there are
landing places i've or six nautical miles
wost from the mouth OF harbor and that
there insurgents probably will be found
and not the Spanish. From the sur
rounding heights can see every vessel
In port. AS soon ns nsccrtalned notify
the department whether enemy Is there,
Gould not squadron and nlso the Har-
ward coal from Merrmac leCwGrd OF
Cape Cruzc, Gonaives channel, or Mole
Hayti? The department will send coal
Immediately to Mole, Report without
delay, situation nt Santiago
At II Il, m, two hours after receiving
this dispatch from the department