The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1898-05-10
AN AIR OF EXPEC 4 ANCY
Manifested IN Naval Circles Which Indicates Something VIII
Drop Soon. 54
SAMPSON MAY BE GATHERING PORTO RICO

WASHINGTON, May o-It now officially admitted that Ad
mira Sampson yesterday with his feet near Cape Hayen
the north OF San Domingo and distant about IRON
Porto Rico
So far reports have to the department OF OF the urd
engagements that said to have taken place in those waters but
believed at the department that if there gun firing yesterday
and the day before reported by merchant vessels probably
caused by Of the United States vessels chasing either prizes
the small Spanish gunboa that believed TO be cruising around
in those waters
1t believed that there has been between Ad
ma SIMPSONS forces and the Spanish ironclad flying squadron
else reports would have been received already the department
From the expectation plainly manifested at the navy department
that something important is to happen it is sused that
Sampson does strike the Spanish flying squadron he may strike
a blow at Porto Rico ITSELF
curious fact that thus far the navy department does know
positively where the Spanish fleet and is just possible that the
vessels may away on other side Atlantic or at Cad
instead of being in Simpsons neghborhood in the West Indies
That such thing happens plainly shown by the report from St
Thomas that the Spanish cruiser Aphonso X arrived Porto
Rico yesterday the day before This formidable protected
cruiser and has been supposed all along that she
Cad Spain forming part OF the home defense squadron
The fact that she has Porto Rico without knowledge OF
her departure having leaked evidence that the Spanish
authorities able to guard the secrecy Of their naval movements
much better than our own people are able to do.
Word the navy department to-day that the cable had
been between ontevdeo and Rio Grand do Su thus cutting
off all communication along the OF South America below
the last named point the south Of Brazil II this
accident would be hard guess the purpose the Oregon having
passed far north the break 1t possible that Spanish
have the cable conceal naval demonstration
movements Of Spanish ships in that quarter Of the world
MADRID, May g p MA cable dispatch from the captain
general OF Porto Rico says he has information that the
fleet is approaching.
u CAPE HAYTIEN Hayt, May e.-Mr julius G. Tucker United
States consul at Martinique there foundation for the report
that Spanish fleet has been sighted off that island.
MADRID May o-Nacias wires from Porto Rico that good
fighting spirit prevails there thanks munitions brought by Alfonso
XIII, and strong Notifications
MADRID May eBlanco says American cruiser and torpedo
boat attempted to force Cardenas channel After half hours
gageen with three Spanish gunboas the Americans forced
retreat.
NEW YORK. May "a copyright dispatch to the Evening
World dated at Puerto Plata to-day quotes the captain OF the Ger
steamer Bolivia saying that while he Cape Haen
Sunday American entered sated the flag and coaed
The Spanish protested without success
After sailing the Bolivia sighted and passed five American war
ships believed be Admiral SIMPSONS feet steaming slowly east
ward in line OF battle.
ST THOMAS West Indes May oThe Spanish cruiser Isabel
H. iron vessel of 3o tons displacement and carrying OF
about 1870 arrived here at o'clock this morning Her COM
mande communicated with the Spanish port and the
cruiser cleared Immediately; destination unknown No news has
been received here Of an engagement yesterday,
-I-r-