The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1898-06-28


worlds history, start from the new
world to attack continental Europe.
No attempt is made to deny that the
government is influenced in ordering
this movement by desire to check
the progress eastward of the Cadiz
fleet. 1t was not believed that the
Spanish admiral could be guilty of the
folly Of uncovering his home ports in
this fashion, but nasmuch as he seems
determined to do so the naval strate-
gists could not do less than take ad-
vantage of the magnificent opportunity
afforded to strike a crushing blow at
Spain, and thereby perhaps save much
time and loss of life and money in the
conduct of the tedious campaign in
Cuba.
The determination to send this squad
ron against Spain was the outcome Of
direct official advices reaching the
state and navy departments as to the
progress of Admiral Cameras squad
ron. These advces give list of the
Spanish ships noW nearing the Suez
canal, which differs somewhat from the
list given In the press dispatches and
by Lloyds The official list Is az fol-
lows: Pelayo, Carlos V, Audaz, Osada,
Prosperpina, Patricia. Rapido, Buenos
Ayres, Isle de Paney, Colon Covan-
donga and San Francisco. The addi-
tional information comes from official
sources that this squadron is at Port
Said, and expect to take on board 10,-
900 tons of coal before entering the Suez
canal. Such a heavy coaling would
take some time. 1t disclosed also that
the admiral expected to make long
sail. ana was doubtless headed for the
Philippines. a point which officials at
first doubted.
This squadron is the most formidable
Spain has afoat. The Pelayo Is the
strongest of the ships. and is the only
battleship in the Spanish navy. She is
$500 tons, with speed of 1877 knots.
She carries 35 guns of various caliber,
and has seven torpedo tubes. The
Carlos V has 2S guns and six torpedo
tubes. The Audaz and Osado are tor
pedo boat destroyers. They are Of 400
tons each, and are 80 knotters. Each
carries six guns and two torpedo tubes.
1t is apparent that the main reliance
of this fleet is on these four vessels.
The others are auxiliaries and colliers.
AS there are only two armored ships
in the lot Admiral Dewey's fleet OF
protected, but unarmored ships prob
ably will take care of this Spanish
squadron. With the Monterey added,
he could certainly do so.
The eastern squadron which the Uni
ted States will now send against Spain
far outranks this Spanish squadron,
the battleships Iowa and Oregon ex-
ccedng the Pelayo and Carlos V at
every point, while the other United
States vessels are far superior ship
for ship, to those of the Spanish
squadron, with the single exception of
the two Spanish torpedo destroyers. !
Besides these two vessels Commodore
Watsons squadron will consist of the
flagship Newark. cruisers Yosemite,
Yankee and Dixie and golfers Scenda,
Abarenda and Alexander.
When the American fleet sails for |
Spain it will take with It complete in
formation as to the entire stretch Of |
Spanish coast, with detail maps of |
every harbor and its Notifications. In
general the fortifcations of the coast
are relics Of the medieval greatness of
Spain, and many of these old defenses
are tumbling ruins.