Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1898-05-26
MAN[UVERS Of c[RV[RA.
London Experts Are of the Opinion
That the Spanish Admiral has
Made a Fatal Mistake.
MADRID DISPATCH ON cERvERA's MOVE.
1t Says 1t Demonstrates That the Block
AIDE of Cuba Is Merely Nominal-A Re-
port That Admiral Cervera's Squadron
Has Started for Havana and That q
Naval Engagement Is Imminent.

LONDON. May 22.-According to the
best expert opinion in London, if Ad-
miral Cervera has gone to Santiago de
Cuba he has made a fatal mistake.
Vice Admiral Philips Howard Columb,
retired, the author of number of ma
val works, including 1.-The Naval War
Game.'' writes that he is convinced the
Spanish admiral is now unlikely
to strike at all: He adds that if
he enters south Cuban port it
will scarcely affect the United States
blockade, for Rear Admiral Sampson
will only have to detach some
what superior force of his heavier
ships to cover Cervera's feet, while a
group of the highest and swiftest YES
sells would be watching to see that he
did not move without being reported,
and all the rest of Rear Admiral Samp-
sons feet could devote themselves to
the blockade of the other Cuban ports.
Admiral Cervera's maneuvers excite
the keenest speculation here. In some
quarters the. whole story is re-
garded a ruse designed to hurry
up the Spanish government. and the
spreading of it broadcast is supposed
to hide a sinister move. The bulk of
opinion, however, regards the news as
uthentic, and is inclined to the be-
lief that Admiral Cervera we'll knows
reinforcement is at hand and that,
otherwise. he would not have risked
being bottled up at Santiago.
The London Daily News directs at
tention to the great secrecy preserved
about what is happening at the Ca
naries, where the cables have been
seized and censorship is severe. It
says: 1.-The question now arises
whether the reserve squadron from
Cadiz is not already half way across
the Atlantic. One thing seems clear:
The Spanish strategists have a pre-
arranged plan of operations. while the
Americans have been forced by circum-
stances in to a defensive attitude. How
ever, if Cervera is in antiago de Cuba.
it ought not to be difficult for Admiral
Sampson to find him. Thus it is posi-
BILE there may be a big fight within a
few days.
Madrid Dispatch on Cervera's Move.
LONDON, May 22.-The Madrid cor
respondent of the London Daily News
says: Admiral Cervera's dispatch from
Santiago de Cuba to the minister of
marine contained further details for
the .informa ton of the government
alone. 1t is poin ted out here that the
American plan was to gain command
of the sea as condition to future
movements. Admiral Cervera's bril-
liant move reminding one of Lord
Nelson's race from the West In
dies to Trafalgar and his escape from
| the French-deprives America of the
command OF the sea, and demonstrates
to the world that the blockade of
Gu ba is merely nominal. Admiral
Cervera has given the slip to two pow
erful fleets that have been securing
| the ocean for a fortnight in an en-
deavor to catch him. All the Ameri-
can schemes depend thereupon. Ad-
miral Cervera, with four cruisers and
few destroyers. alone in the Allan
| tic, ignoring events in Gu ba and Porto
Rico, and the position of the Ameri
can squadron has out-maneuvered,
disorganized and dispersed the latter,
| making the Americans believe they
were threatened on every side. The
torpedo boats AZor. Rayo and Ariete
steamed from the Cape Verde islands
to the Canaries with the utmost pre-
cautions, hugging the coast by day
and covering their lights by night.
The Ariete, slightly damaged. was
towed by the Ciudad de Cadiz and the
| transports cdfrieo Iue Shdl1er oodtS ol
| the Vizcaya. the A1mirante Oquendo,
the Cristobol Colon and the Infanta
Maria Teresa, probably in order that
these vessels might be kept clear, in
view of possible battle.
| A Naval Battle Hourly Expected.
KEY WEST, Fla, May CIT is re
ported here that the Spanish feet, re-
ported yesterday in the harbor of
Santiago de Cuba, was sighted off Cape
San Antonio, Cuba. headed westward.
The general belief is that the fleet of
Admiral Cervera started for Havana.
Sampson and Schley are also under
stood to be in Cuban waters News of
Z battle is hourly expected.
| FiREMEN HURT.