The San Francisco call., 1898-04-28
Greatest Fight of Modern Times to Occur Near
 Manila.
There Is Also Prospect of an Encounter With Spanish Fleet Sent to the Relief of
 BlancO'S Forces.

as base of operations. The fleet was then directed toward the Philippines with a view to immediately engaging the Spanish squadron and after dis abling it to invest Manila
 Latest advices indicate tLat the Span ish squadron is cruising in close prox- unity to Manila, and the department therefore feels confident that the two fleets will come together within a few hours and decisive engagement follow.
 While news of operations in the Ori- ent Is awaited with the utmost anxiety there is an almost equal tension in the minds of naval officials regarding the movements of the Spanish fleets at Ca dig and the Cape Verde Islands. The only information the department has regardino either of these fleets is in the form of a brief commercial cablegram received this morning to the effect that the Cape Verde squadron would leave St. Vincent tomorrow for the west. It was also reported to the department though upon what authority cannot be learned tonight, that the vessels of the Cape Verde force would be divided and all but two of them dispatched to join the Spanish warships in Cuban waters, while a cruiser and torpedo-boa4 de- stroyer were sent to he coast of Brazil to intercept the battleship Oregon. It | Is calculated that the Oregon in coming north will follow the usual steamer track, passing almost within sight of | Cape St. Roque, near which the most experienced navigators in the depart ment assume the Spanish vessels might most reasonably expect to head off the American warship. The department | has no fears regarding the safety of | the Oregon in spite of the menace of the | txzTn mic n | ties she is more than a match for both vessels and 1t is believed that neither by day nor by night could the torpedo boats evade the vigilance of her officers and get close enough to do her any in jury On the contrary the Oregon's big guns are counted upon to sink her com paratively frail adversaries in the event that an attempt should be made to car ry out the programme suggested.
 More serious attention is being given l by the department to the possibility of | reinforcement of the Spanish fleet now in Cuban waters by the Cape Verde or Cadiz squadron with view of re- | lieving General Blanco and his forces l in Havana The defiant tone of BlancO's s l latest utteranceS, cabled from Havana | last night, are construed by the depart ment to mean he has assurances that a powerful Spanish fleet will soon be sent 1 to his aid. Should an attempt be made | by the Spaniards to force Admiral Sampsons blockade a terrific battle would ensue which mir prove the turning point in the war. With such possibility in view the administration hesitates to dispatch land force to Cuba where, in the always possible event of the defeat of the American fleet, the troops on the island would find themselves cut off and forced to meet the Spanish army un 9r most un- | favorable conditions. With these con- alterations in view it is probable that no important action will be taken within the next few days, the purpose Of the department being to maintain Admiral Sampsons fleet in the most serviceable condition until the enemy's plans are more clearly defined. Instructions have been sent to the blockading squadron | to redouble the vigilance exercised to prevent ships from reaching Havana, for while the reports concerning the running of the blockade by the troop ship Montserrat lack official confir1na- ton, navy officials are inclined to &C., l cept the statement as true.