New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-06-01
NAVAL OFFICIALS DOU BT.
REPORT OF A BATTLE AT SANTIAGO
DISCREDITED.


DISPATCH RECEIVED FROM COMMODORE
sCHLEY. But 40 MENTION MADE OF
ANY FIGHTING OR INTEN
TION TO FIGHT.
Washington. May 31-Naval officials abso-
lutely discredlt the reports from Cape Hayten
to the effect that Commodore Schley forced the
entrance To Santiago Bay and engaged the
Spanish feet IN the harbor.
While no official advlces have been received
from Commodore schley since the battle is re-
ported TO have occurred. the naval officials de-
clare with positlvensss that 1t is not only I'm
probable. but. under the circumstances. almost
impossible that attempt should have been
made by the American commander 10 force an
entrance 10 the bay.
The latest official advices received from Com
modore Schey were contained in n cable dis
patch which came late this afternoon. and In
that the Commodore gives no indication OF an
intention 10 try 10 enter the harbor Of Santiago
While the contents of the dispatch were not
made public the bulletin issued on It by the
Navy Department indicates that Commodore
wha, Spanish vessels are in the harbor. The
bulletin follows:
+ Commodore Schleys feet has sighted another
vessel of the Vizcaya class in Santiago Harbor.
The naval officers declar. that schey would
/ not cnieavor 20 force his way into the harbor
3 in view Of the great difficulties Of navigation
which would have to be surmounted in the ef-
, fort The entrance 10 the harbor is channel
nearly three-quarters Of mile in length. and
at ono point only about n hundred yards wide.
While the channel has plenty Of water to float
the ships. II Is tortuous and at places danger
GUS Al one point IT twists sharply TO the left
as n vessel enters. and naval officers say that
u Nigh, become necessary at some stages OF
/ the tide for ship 70 come almost II not quite
TO n full stop she made the turn.
Shore batteries line both sides OF the channel
and vessel running II would AFFORD a target
that not even n Spanish gunner could fall 10 hit
The officials OF the Navy Department are so
confident that the reported engagement did not
take place as described by the Cape Haytien
dispatches that 1t is only reasonable deduc-
,lon that the Depa tment is In possession OF in
formation. not made public. which entirely salts
nes the officials that no such engagement could
have occurred
EXPECTED TO WAIT FOR TROOPS
The significant statement was made by Cab
met member after the regular meeting to-day
that no news had been received since Monday
morning from Commodore Schey directly and
that It was believed that nothing would be
heard for two or three days at least. This is
taken TO mean that Schley probably will await
the arrival OF troops before undertaking to
attack Santiago II plainly intimated In
some quarters. however. that he might. through
the possession Of some information that would
tend to neutralize the strength OF the enemy's
position. make a bold attempt to enter the har-
Dor OF Santiago and destroy capture the
Spanish squadron.
With the assistance CT even a single regiment
Of Regular troops. which believed to be on
the way to his support. the officials are conf
dent that the fleet reduce the forts at the
entrance TO Santiago Harbor. and make unten-
able the poolton OF the Spanish squadron with
IN or course. this plan Is based on the theory
that Cervera will not attempt to make his es-
cape by n desperate sortie at night.
RELIEF FOR THE RECONCENTRADos
This movement on Santiago is unquestiona bly,
In pursuance Of the Presidents policy to send
help to the starving reconcentrados. The Span
ish squadron might be kept within Santiago
Harbor until the end OF the war without sensibly
endangerIng an American life. and because OF
its distance and isolation from Havana. Santiago
City has little to attract a military attack. But.
living In the lnsurgent section OF the island the
town would Afford a splendid base for the dis
tribution Of supplies to the families Of the In
surgents and TO the reconcentrados who still
drag out a miserable existence In the interior.
Already the President has begun to prepare help
for these people. and the Commissary General
Of the Army mas prepared an estimate Of So
600 900 for the purchase OF SUFFICIENT supplies to
feed 10000 reconcentrados for six months
| For the time being 1t Is felt that the real field
NEW TRAIN TO THE SOUTHWEST.
The New-York Central announces the placing In
| service OF a new train for the southwest, leaving