The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1898-05-25
Is Not So Slow as the Critics
Had Imagined
CERvERA NOW LOCATED AT SANTIAGO
Forced There by Admiral SIMPSONS Skill
ful Maneuvering
As the Spanish Fleet Will Not Come O, the Next Movo
Is to Force Fight by the Bombardment
Of Santiago de Cuba
SPECIAL TO THE HERALD

Of Santiago de Cuba
SPECIAL THE HERALD
WASHINGTON, May 24-I have absolute information that
no naval battle had occurred up to 10 today The navy
department believes the Spanish squadron is at Santiago de
Cuba So said Secretary Long today and was the most sig
ncant statement to the whereabouts of SIMPSONS fleet
land Cerveras squadron coming from the navy department for
week. This evening Secretary Long called at the navigation
bureau and asked any information had been received He
was informed that nothing had come Admiral Sampson has
not communicated with the department for two days. Ad
vices received prior to that time indicate that the Wndward
passage being closely watched and that conflict with
Ceera might at short notice In lieu of positive news
1.-THE naval experts tonight that Sampson has drawn
close to Santiago de Cuba and that the naval engagement will
occur when Sampson begins to smoke out Cervera by bonn
harding the Notifications of the town.
The fact that the navy department locates the Spanish at
Santiago, and declares tonight that engagement has
Cured is regarded partial confirmation Of the current report
that the bombardment Of Santiago has been ordered Appa
renty such order the only that could be given
unless the department recedes from its frequently expressed
purpose to engage the Spanish fleet Apparently nothing
Ito be gained by keeping the Spanish fleet bottled up nde
ney at Santiago de Cuba Cevera would get time to re
his vessels after their long voyage and put himself in shape
Ito make for it at night if he should determine that
plan to avoid battle The bombardment would have the nev-
tabe effect OF bringing Cervera into the open The fact that
Cera has remained at Santiago regarded by experts here
evidence that Simpsons vessels have been guard in the
Wndward passage since Cervea slipped into the harbor.
The straegsts give Sampson credit for foresight in per-
mittng Cervera to enter Santiago. Sampson knew that
without Shey he could not successfully guard both Cenfuegos
and Santiago and took chances on Cerveas ultimate desire
to retreat through the Wndwad passage to the north east
Simpsons chief purpose was to prevent Cervera from retreat
ing east and from entering Havana harbor The American
admiral has accomplished both purposes. Cevea could have
entered Santiago and reeated to the east had the Wndward
passage been unguarded for foy-eght hours SIMPSONS
strategy conclusions appear to have been vndicaed Sece
ary Longs statement correct that the Spanish squadron
still at Santiago The navigation bureau being shown the
New York Journals Cape Hayen special containing the
mise that Cevera may have slipped through the Wndward
passage and have gone West expressed its disbelief of the
report One of the officials said the only way Ceea can go
west now is to 60 by rail-
WASHINGTON, May 24.-Speca to The Herad) Presi-
dent Mckinley at midnight tonight received the important
cipher dispatches for which he waiting He appeared
greatly gaed after learning the contents of the dispatches
1t believed that they dealt with the operations Of Admiral
Simpsons squadron 1t is learned positively tonight that
Admiral Sampson with his division of the United States fleet
off the southern coast Cuba and has been there for several
days.
Schleys flying squadron definitely and positively located
off Santiago The cruiser Minneapolis which has been with
Commodore Schleys flying squadron at Curacao where
Admiral Cerveras vanishing squadron coaed up while Samp
sons fleet bobardng San Juan and hunting the Carb
bean sea for naval battle With the Minneapolis at Curacao
is the converted cruiser YALE which left Cape Hayen at
$50 p. m. last Saturday.
From Mole St. Nicholas, Hayt comes report that on
Monday two American warshps put in there both disabled
and that they were the cruiser ST. Louis and the Wapauc
has been received here tonight that the Wampauck has
arrived at Key West rumor sent from Madrid that tie
Spanish fleet had captured American warshp in Cuban
waters is not credited here
At Last
ArIA fhe