Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-07-06
The Spanish People Deceived
as to Ca, efa's Fate.


sdescribable enthusiaarn continues to
prevail here over the supposed escape
Of Admiral Cervera and his squadron
from the harbor OF Santiago de Cuba.
The admiral's name Is on every tongue.
and It is claimed that it was he who
saved Santiago de Cuba. by adding
to Gen. Linare's handful Of soldiers
his brave sailors to man the guns
ashore and repel the Americans under
Gen. Shafter.''
Such is about the exultant eulogy Of
Admiral Ccrvera heard on all sides.
this state of public feeling being due
to the official announcements from
Santiago de Cuba. For instance one
statement from Santiago de Cuba is as
follows:
when Admiral Cervera found that
1t was certain Col. Escerio's reinforce
ments were in proximity to Santiago
de Cuba, the admiral held a council
with the commanders of his squadron.
disclosing to them plan to force the
blockade in broad day light. The COM
manders responded unanimously: 'Ad
Lante' (forward).
1T was then arranged that the tor
pcdo boat destroyers should take the
lead. feigning an attack and discharge
fnc 90 k6n So
ships, the Cristobal Colon. protecting
their advance. sheltered by the batter
les of Moro Castle and distracting the
enemy's attention. while the remainder
of the squadron sailed out of the har-
Dor.
1.-The Americans at first were taken
by surprise. Then. recovering, they
opened a tremendous fire especially
against the torpedo boat destroyers
which vessels Admiral Cervera had in
structed to steer in an opposite course
to the squadron. is t 81
1.-THE Americans were deceived and
manoeuvered towards the supposed
course of the Spaniards, while Admiral
Cervcra went full steam ahead, MAIN
tanned a contiguous fire until clear of
the American lines and then steamed
away westward pursued and breasted
for some distance by the swiftest
American vessels until they were lost
sight of from MORO Castle.
I'm the meanwhile the torpedo boat
destroyers sank under a rain of shell
from the numerous American war
ships. 1t is presumed that part of
their crews were saved by the enemy
or swan ashore. A number of life
buoys were provided on board the tor
pedo beat destroyers. whose crews an
ticipated their vessels would be de-
stroyed."
The foregoing is the popular Spanish
versions of the sortie have cast tinge
vera from the harbor of Santiago de
Cuba and the sacrifice of the crews of
be highly appreciated by the Queen
Regent, while the general public is
overjoyed at their conduct.
1t is supposed here that Admiral
Cervera is running for Havana, since
he has not been reported as arriving at
Cienfucgos and there will be tremen-
dous anxiety here until it is known
that Admiral 'Cervera and his squad
ron are safe in Havana harbor. Hopes
are expressed in this city that the
Spanish admiral may capture or de-
stroy some American vessel while on
his way to Havana.
Foreign news giving contradictory
version of the sortie have cast a tinge
Of perplcxity and dampness upon the
general rejoicing.
In military circles, it is considered
that Gen. Shafter has been checked,
that Rear Admiral Sampson has been
baflled and that the aspect Of the war
has been changed. But the universal
expression of opinion is that peace is
impossible until something occurs
which is satisfactory to the national
feeling.
There is much comment here over
the news of the departure of the for
eign war ships from Manila at the
moment of the arrival there of the
American reinforcements. Only two
German, two French and four British
warships now remain at Manila, and
people are asking If International poll