, 1898-07-06
WILD ENTHUSIASM.
Prevails at Madrid Over the Supposed
Escape Of Cervera.

Madrid, July 5.-Aimost indescriba-
Die e~ntnusiasm continues to prevail
here over the supposed ESCAPE oil Al
mAlral Cervera and his squadron from
the harbor of Santiago de Cuba. The
admiral's name is on every tongue, and
1t is claimed it was he who saved San
tiago de Cuba by adding to General
Linares' handful OF soldiers his brave
sailors to man the guns ashore and re-
pei the Americans under General
Shafter." Such is the eXultant eulogy
of Admiral Cervera heard on all sides,
this state of public feeling being due
to an official announcement from San
tiago. For instance, II statement
from Santiago is as follows:
When Admiral Cervera found it
certain Colonel Escario's reinforce
ments We're in proximity to Santiago,
the admiral held a council Of the COM
manders of his squadron disclosing a
plan to force the blockade in broad
daylight. The commanders responded
unanimously 'ad lante' (forward). 1t
was then arranged that the torpedo
boat destroyers should take he lead,
feigning an attack and discharge of
torpedoes against the 'enemy's ships,
the Cristobal Colon protecting their
advance, sheltered by the batteries of
MORO Castle, and distracting their at
tention while the remainder Of the
squadron sailed out OF the harbor, the
Americans at first being taken by sur
prise.
Then recovering, they opened a ire
mendous fire, especially against the
torpedo boat d~estroyers, which vessels
Admiral Cervera had directed to steer
an opposite course to the squadron.
The Americans were decided and ma
neuvered toward the supposed course
of the Spaniards, while Admiral Ger
vera went full speed ahead. maintain
ing a continuous fire until clear of the
American lines and then steamed away
Westward pursued and breasted for
some distance by the swiftest American
vessels until they were lost sight of
from MORO Castle. In the meantime
the torpedo boat destroyers sank under
the rain of shells FROM the numerous
American w%arships. 1t is presumed
that part Of their crews were saved by
the enemy or swan ashore. A num-
Der of life buoys were provided on
board the torpedo boat d~estroyers,
whose crew anticipated their vessels
would be destroyed"
The foregoing is the popular Spanish
version of the sortie of Admiral Ger
vera from the harbor OF Santiago de
Cuba, and the sacrifice OF the crews of
the torpedo boat destroyers is said to
be highly appreciated by the queen re-
gent, while the general public is over
joyed at their conduct. 1t is supposed
here that Admiral Cervera is running
from Havana, since he has not been
reported as arriving at Cienfuegos.
and there will be- tremendous anxiety
here until 1t is reported that Admiral
Cervera and squadron are safe in Ha-
vana harbor.
Foreign news giving contradictory
versions of the sortie have asst a tinge
of perplexity and dampness upon the
general rejoicing. In military circles
it is considered that General Shafter
has been checked, that Rear Admiral
Sampson has been bafled, and the as
pect OF the war has been changed, but
the universal expression of opinion Is
that peace is impossible until some
thing occurs which Is satisfactory to
the national feeling.