Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1898-05-19
PLANS KEPT SECRET.
Movement of the Fleets Not Given
Out for Prudential Reasons.
Fight Almost Absolutely Certain - Re-
ported Capture OF the Cruiser Yale by
the Spanish Diacredlted-S Spanish
Torpedo Boat Disabled.

the Spanish Diacredlted-Spanlsh
Torpedo Boat Disabled.
WASHINGTON, May 10. - Important
kilograms were received by the secre-
tary of the navy yesterday which led
TO an extraordinary session of the war
board of naval strategy. There we're
present at the session Secretary Long,
Adm. Sicard, Capt Mahan, Capt Crown
inshield and Capt Baker Presume
bly, the cablegrams contained vital i'm
formation rs to the movements Of the
Spanish vessels, but for prudential
reasons nothing was given out. EX.
traordinary efforts are being put
forth to prevent plans from becom-
ing public, and the lines have been
closely drawn about newspaper CORE
spondents, The eminent correctness OF
this stand on the part of high officials
is so patent that considerable news
which reaches newspapers now is not
written because it might give valuable
tips to the enemy. Having definitely
located the Spanish fleet in sea of
indefinite era, the problem now for
the naval board of strategy is to figure
out where the fight will take place.
1t seems absolutely sure that
the Spaniards cannot now es.
cape without a fight, and there
is no evidence that they want
to. Spanish Adm. Cervora is evil.
IDENTIFY doing some clever maneuvering
in the endeavor to select the most ia
vorable point for the battle. Mani.
testify the enemy's vessels are awaiting
either for chance to slip into Glen
fuegos or to evade both Sampson and
Schley and make dash for the United
States coast, leaving Cuba and Blanco
to their fate. The probability of the
Spaniards abandoning everything else
in their endeavor to destroy the
Oregon, the Marietta and the Buffal o
has been discussed and discounted by
the board of strategy, its members
holding that it is plausible, but hardly
probable.
CAPTURE OF YALE DIsCREDITED.
CAPE HAYTIEN, Hayti, May 49, The
United States torpedo boat Porter and
the storeship Supply, which have been
here waiting orders, have sailed to
join Adm. SIMPSONS squadron. The
squadron passed Cape Huytien yester-
day. 1t is uncertain whether it will
turn southwark to meet the Spanish
feet or go first to Key West. 1t is ex-
pected that this point may be used as
the base of supplies for the fleet No
news of the reported capture of the
auxiliary cruiser Yale, formerly the
American line steamer Paris, has been
received here and the report is dis
credited.
A SPANISH TORPEDO BOAT DISABLED.
WASHINGTON, May 16.-Secretary
Long yesterday authorized the publ
cation of the statement that the tor
pedo boat Terror, belonging to the
Spanish fleet was disabled at Port of
France, Martinique. The dispatch is
as follows: Spanish torpedo boat
Terror disabled at Port of France,
Martinique" There was disposition
among some of those who saw this
statement to regard it with suspicion,
suggesting that the report of disabil-
ity was intended simply as blind,
and that the Spanish government had
caused it to be spread so that no com
plant could be made on account of the
stay of the boat at a neutral port.
None of the officers, however, would
express themselves on the subject.
THE WAR MAY BE PROLONGED.
LONDON, May lot is considered in
London that the Washington board of
strategy has a difficult problem to
solve on account of the mysterious
movements of Adm. Cervera's squad
ron, every alleged detail of which is
now regarded with the utmost suspi-
cion. 1t is recognized that Spain's
policy will do her no good in the end,
but also that the war will be more
prolonged than was first expected, and
that the invasion of Cuba may prove a
difficult matter.
CALLS IT A SPANISH VICTORY"
ST. THOMAS, w. l., May 16.-The
captain general of Porto Rico tele-
graphs the Spanish consul here:
"Eleven American warships have bonn.
barded the forts of the town. A heroic
defense was made. The soldiers are
preparing to fight to the death. The
Americans retreated Several of their
ships were damaged and one was
towed away. 1t was Spanish vic
tory"
Spanish Cabinet Quits.
MADRID May is. AL the members
e Al. c.. ..-L L.