The herald., 1898-05-28
FROM THE FLEETS LYING OFF
SANTIAGO
MANY OLD RUM0RS REVIVED
Ranging From Spanish Appeal for
Peace to Intervention by
European Powers
Associated Press Special Wire

WASHINGTON, May H.-When Secre-
tary Long started for the Cabinet meeting
today he was without information in ad-
dition to that possessed yesterday morn
ing as to the movement of the fleet in the
West Indies. Notwithstanding the re-
peated statements that the Navy Depart
ment had been in communication with
Commodore Schley off Santiago, the Sec
retary stated that he had not received any
message from Commodore Schley since his
brief report made several days ago from
another point in Cuba Therefore the de-
partment is in exactly the position it has
occupied for the last few days, SO far as
it's knowledge Of the fleets goes. 1t has
heard through unofficial Qt Is hoped re-
liable) sources that the fleet is in Santiago
harbor and that Schley is lying in wait
outside. The department, having waited
as long as dignity seemed to require for
news directly from the squadrons, 1t is
believed has now taken steps to secure 1t
through its own inquiries, and consequent
ly it may be expected at any moment that
some of the dispatch boats or scouting YES
sells will bring news of the squadron to
one of the cable stations, probably in Hay
ii, for transmission to the Navy Depart
ment.
There was a revival this morning Of the
almost daily rumor that General Miles
was about to depart on his trip to Tampa,
which Is, of course, construed to mean the
direct beginning of the invasion of Cuba
AS matter of fact there Is just as much
foundation for this statement today as
during any day in the past week. The
commanding general has had a special
car ready for himself and staff lying in
the Pennsylvania Railway station in this
city ready to start at a moments notice
for Tampa. He himself has been anxious
to depart for many days past and has
been restrained only because conditions
were not ripe for the movement. When
that time arrives start will be made,
but whether 1t will be tonight or week
hence is absolutely not known at this
moment even to General Miles himself.
The calling of the conference at the
White House yesterday led to the revival
of the rumor of an immediate movement
upon Cuba and Porto Rico. 1t may be
stated, however, upon the best authority
that it has not yet been finally decided
when to begin the Cuban invasion, and,
as far as Porto Rico is concerned, whether
to attempt an occupation of that island
are in tentative state, subject to altera-
tions at any moment as conditions de-
velop.
Another rumor, which was revived today
with some degree of plausibility related to
certain attempts on the part of representa-
tives of European powers to secure peace
through direct representations to the
United States government. AS was the
case with like rumors this was absolutely
denied by the State Department, and so
far as is known, neither in Europe or the
United States representatives nor in WASH
ington has our government been ap-
preached on the subject. The frequent
repetition Of this story is believed by the
officials to be, perhaps, In the execution
Of a policy Of inquiry, with a view to
sounding public sentiment in this country
as to the terms Of peace that probably will
be acceptable. The conditions mentioned
in these stories-the retention by Spain
of the Philippines and Porto Rico In return
for the release of Cuba--represent the
very minimum offer that might be ex-
rected of the Spanish side, but after most
peace treaties are in the nature of COM
promise bargains 1t cannot be supposed
of course that that is the maximum price
Spain expects to pay for her indulgence
in a losing war.
The Navy Department is making ready
for the purchase Of a number of small
steam craft to supplant the mosquito fleets
on the coast. The chief of the mosquito
fleet, Admiral Erben at New York, has
submitted to the Navy Department list
of over 100 such craft which have been
examined and found suitable. The de-
partment was prevented from making any
purchases on this score because 1t lacked
the necessary authorization. but now that
Congress has passed and the President
has approved an act appropriating SO 900 900
for the purchase of such vessels, it will
begin at once to acquire them. They are
needed very badly, not so much for scout
ing purposes as a present protection of the
elaborate mine fields which the officers
have laid in almost all Atlantic ports.
The reckless conduct of the commanders
of vessels entering and emerging from
these ports has determined the authorl-
ties here to deal summarily hereafter with
persons who disregard the repeated warn
ings the local engineers have given the
ships in crossing the mine fields. The
mosquito fleet vessels will all be armed
and if any vessel should disregard their
warning and interferes with the mines or
even jeopardizes their workings, they will
pay the penalty
Nothing Definite
OFF THE NORTHERN COAST OF
CUBA, May H.-(2 a. M, via Key West
At 10 o'clock last night the Dolphin ran
alongside the flagship New York. Her
light showed that she bore dispatches for
Rear Admiral Sampson. The commander
of the Dolphin shouted through the mega
phone: II have dispatches from commo-
dore Schley to the Commander-in-C Chief" "
A cheer went up from the crowded decks.
Commodore Schley's dispatches were dated
off Cienfuegos.
Absolutely nothing definite can be said :"
was the reply which Capt. Chadwick of the
New York, made to question as to what
had transpired.
Since he heard Of Admiral Cervera's arri-
val at Curacao Rear Admiral Sampson has
repeatedly said he believed the Spaniards
would go to Cienfuegos or Santiago. To
prove the American Admiral was almost
sure the Spaniards would be caught, the
following can be divulged without breach
of confidence "When the ships of Com
modore Schley's division were sailing out
of Key West under Rear Admiral Samp-
sons orders, the Admiral sent this signal
to Captain Philips Of the Texas: "You are
going to nab the Spaniards and good luck
to you."
Since then Rear Admiral Sampson has