The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1898-05-26

ST. PIERRE, Martinique, May 3d.
Admiral Cervera's squadron, it is re.
ported on good authority, will return to
these waters to coal. 1t is known that
q number of Spanish colliers are on
their way to Fort de France.
The British steamer Twickenham,
having been refused the privilege of
coaling the Spanish torpedoboat de-
stroyer Terror and the hospital ship
Alicante in the Fort de France harbor,
IL Is thought these vessels will coal from
her at sea and that she will then go to
meet Admiral Cervera's squadron for
the same purpose. The Twickenham
carries 1000 tons of coal.
Late Sunday afternoon an unknown
man-of-war was sighted off the south.
west coast of Martinique.
The Alicante has again changed her
moorings, and the departure of the
Terror and the Alicate is momentarily
expected.
GIBRALTAR, May 23.-An uncontirmed
rumor is in circulation here that the
Spanish squadron ut Cadiz is about to
sail for Cuban waters.
A Spanish battery of artillery arrived
Sunday afternoon at San Rogue, seven
miles northwest of Gibraltar and has
been placed in position.
ST. JOHNS, N. F., May 23.-Captain
Strong of the brigantine Energy, with
a cargo of salt from Cadiz, reports that
when he left Cadiz, about fortnight
ago, the greatest activity prevailed in
the naval arsenal there. The two Ham.
burg American liners, Columbia and
Normannia, purchased to be used as
auxiliary cruisers and now named the
Rapido and Patria, were being rapidly
armored, and the warships refitting in
the harbor were loading stores and
ammunition.
Captain Strong is convinced that al
the time he was in Cadiz the Spanish
government fully intended to send this
feet to attack American coast cities on
the North Atlantic, preferably Boston
He saws the Spanish pQpulace was bit
terly infamiif1d against English and
Americans and that his crew dared not
venture ashore.
WASHINGTON, May 23.-The fumor:
of great naval battle, current Satur.
day night, were disposed of by the navy
department, in the following official
bulletin:
"No truth in the published statement
concerning an engagement off ST.
Nicolas Mole, Haiti, in which IL ships
were sunk"
The bureau Of navigation, navy de.
partment, where official dispatches are
received, was open Sunday, but the
officials were engaged on routine work
and there was no evidence of that
activity which would attend the receipt
of important information, nor of that
keen expectancy which would indicate
the near approach Of the two fleets.
KEY WEST, May 23.-A naval battle
all are convinced is only u matter of
days, perhaps hours,
Speculation is still concentrated on
the whereabouts of Admiral Cervera s
squadron, the general opinion favoring
some point on the southern coast. As
both sides of the island are now pa.
trolled by United States warshlps, the
naval authorities will not admit the
possibility of Cervera's escape without
the most desperate conflict in the his
tory of naval warfare.
Reports from Admiral Simpsons
squadron say that all is quiet off the
northern coast of Cuba. Nothing from
Commodore Schley is expected before
today or tomorrow. A rumor reached
here that four American warships,
while bombarding Santiago .de,.Ouba.
had been driven off by the Spanish
fleet. but the story is generally dis,
credited. Where it came from is mys.
terry.