The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-05-16
Sampson Leaves Puerto Plata and Admiral Ceryera
Still at Curacao.
SPANIARDS GAINED VALUABLE TIME
BY THEIR ALLEGED SHARPNESS
Flying Squadron Headed For Key West Where Prepara
tons Are Being Made For Some Big Move.

Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic,
May 15.-(Copyrighted, 1898. by the
Associated Press ALI the wounded OF
the United States fleet are doing well.
There has been no firing by our war
ships since the bombardment of the
forts at San Juan de Porto Rico, as
described by the correspondent of the
Associated Press, on board the United
States flagship. The cable connecting
San Juan de Porto Rico with the out
side world has been cut at st. Louis.
Cape Haytien, Republic of Hayu'
May 15-The United States torpedo
boat Porter and the storeship Supply,
which have been here waiting orders,
have sailed to join Admiral SIMPSONS
squadron. The squadron passed Cape
Haytien today. 1t is uncertain wheth-
er it will turn southwark to meet the
Spanish fleet or go first to Key West.
Curacao, May 15.-The Spanish
cruisers Maria Teresa, Vizcaya, Almi-
rante Oquendo and Cristobal Colon and
the torpedo boat destroyers Pluton and
Terror. which arrived off the harbor
yesterday morning are still here. Only
the Maria Teresa and the Vizcaya were
admitted to the port. They have bought
coal, provisions and medicines, and VIII
remain in port. The other Warsnlps
are outside waiting.
The statement that the torpedo boat
destroyer Terror is with the squadron
of Admiral Cervera conflicts with the
previous statement that the vessel had
been definitely located at Martinique,
c1,a hdinC drV-6OckR0 Tor
repairs Probably the Curacao dispatch
read "Furor'' instead of Terror.
Madrid. May 15.-The Madrid press
and people are elated over the alleged
smartness of Admiral Cervera in send
ing Admiral Villamil to Martinique IS
hours after the former was well on his
way toward Havana While IL was
supposed that Villamil was scouting
ahead. he was really the sQuadrons
rear guard, the Spaniards thus gaining
in valuable time.
ACTIVITY AT KEY WEST.
Key West, Fla, May 15.-This has
been Sunday of unusual activity mere
and it is apparent that an important
strategic movement is being planned
Commodore Watson arrived on the
gunboat Dolphin from the blockading
fleet off Havana. Orders came thick
and fast from Washington, and the
naval station authorities were in
structed to make quick preparations to
coal the big ships.
The ships already in the harbor nave
been ordered to get up steam without
delay, but the officers say they are ig-
norant of what this may indicate. The
announcement from the north of the
coming of the flying squadron strength
ems the theory held here that united
movement of some kind is contem-
plated.
The chief factor in the situation is
the whereabouts of the Spanish fleet,
understood 10 be off the Venezuelan
coast t is conceded by naval men that
were Cervera's squadron to meet the
detached blockading squadron off Cuba
while Admiral SIMPSONS ships were
coaling here, z disastrous blow might
be inflicted, and it is believed to be the
plan now under consideration to obvi-
ate any such possibility.
Extraordinary precautions are being
taken for the protection Of Key West, /
although the rumOr lately circulated
here that the Spanish fleet is heading
this way is secuted by the officials.