The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-05-12
CADIZ STORIES UNCONFIRMED
REPORT THAT ALL THE FLEET HAS
RETURNED is DOUBTED.
Any Kind of Victory Important to
the Dons-One of Their Torpedo
Boat Destroyers Blown Up.
speeIal to the Indianapollg journal.


WASHINGTON. May II. = The problem
that is expressing the navy strategy board
just now is, where is the Spanish fleet? At
the time the Cape Verde fleet sailed from
81. Vincent 1t was given out that part of
1t had gone north to Cadiz and part had
sailed westwardly. If this information was
correct the feet now reported to have ar
rived at Cadiz might be only that part of
the Cape Verde fleet that set out for that
port two weeks ago. This would leave the
other, and, If report is to be believed the
more formidable part unaccounted for. 1t
was a matter of conjecture at the time
where the squadron that lad sailed west
wardly was going. whether to intercept the
Oregon on its slow journey up the South
American coast, or whether to Porto Rico.
or to raise the blockade of Havana. 1t is
apparent from the cautious instructions
given to Admiral Sampson to continue to
be on the lookout for Spanish fleet that
the strategy board is not satisfied that the
entire Cape Verde feet has returned to
Cadiz
There arc two possible ways by which
this Spanish squadron. If it kept right on
across the Atlantic, might now reach Ha-
vana ahead Of Sampson. If it kept a course
that would bring it out near the South
American coast it could enter the Car
ribean sea in its southeast corner through
some Of the passages of the windward ISL
ands, and then. striking boldly across that
sea, could skirt the south side of Porto
Rico, learn the situation and then come to
the north of Cuba by passing through either
the Mona passage. between that island and
San Domingo and along the north coast of
of San Domingo and come north through
the Windward passage, between that island
and Cuba, thus reaching the north coast of
Cuba. BY either OF these plans it would
in all probability succeed in reaching Ha-
vana, with Sampson and his fleet too far to
the east to be OF use Tor the moment in
beating off attempt on the part of the
Spanish fleet to raise the blockade of Ha-
hoped for in respect of this matter is that
neither of these plans will occur to the
Spanish commander, provided there is a
Spanish fleet or squadron headed this way.
Late bulletins say that the Spanish feet
at Cadiz has orders to sail with sealed or
ders. If this be true, and especially if the
entire Spanish navy remaining after Ad-
miral Dewey's destructive work at Manila
is at Cadiz, the problem as to its intentions
remains as oppressively mysterious as ever.
It may be the intention to send it through
the Suez canal to the Philippines in an ef-
fort to regain those valuable possessions
In that case it would have,a long start of
any relief we could send Dewey The STRAIT
egy board evidently has some fears that
this is the Spanish plan, for the Charleston
has been ordered from San Francisco to
Manila without waiting for the expedition
Intended to aid Dewey in holding his prize
Any kind of victory--the defeat of Dewey
by an overwhelming force, the raising of
the blockade of Havana, the destruction of
lne OTeSOIl-auy OF IneSe IN the near future
would be hailed with frantic Joy by the
Spanish people. and woald probably save
the boy King his tottering throne There is
feeling among critics in Washington that
the war has not really been prosecuted as
vigorously as ii might have been and as it
ought to have been. and If any sort of dis
aster, no matter how slight. should now
befall our flag, this feeling might be ripened
within an hour to conviction San Juan,
Porto Rico's capital and chief port could
have been seized days ago, and could have
been fortified and held by small force
thus leaving the entire energies of our fleet
and army to be expended upon the capture
Of Havana and the reduction of the island
OF Cuba. As it is we are faced by the same
problems as at the outset in regard to
them.
NO WORD FROM SAMPSON.