The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1898-05-31
THERE IS NO REASON
FOR DELAYING THE ADVANCE
ON CUBA
scHLEY's BRIEF TELEGRAM
Makes It Certain the Spanish Fleet
Bugaboo II No Longer to Be
Feared
.ssociated Press Special Wire

Associated Press Special Wire
WASHINGTON. May so.-It was offici-
ally admitted at the War Department to-
day that the embarkation of regulars from
Tampa would take place promptly, but no
information was given as to their destina-
ton.
There appears to be no reason now why
the military invasion of CUBA should not
begin as soon as sufficient number OF
troops can be equipped for the campaign.
1t was with deep qualification that the
Secretary of the Navy last night received a
message from Commodore Schley that
finally removed from the fiefd of conjecture
any doubt as to the location Of Cervera's
fleet. The Commodore's telegram was
brief, but to the point. The text Of his
dispatch has not been given out, but the
substance has been made public. The
Commodore said that he had sighted the
Spanish fleet in Santiago harbor. The de-
partment construed his words to mean that
the officer had himself, with his own eyes.
seen the fleet, and as near as can be learned
the gratifying spectacle was beheld by
Schey yesterday morning. He expressed
the belief that the whole fleet was within
Santiago harbor, but he did not actually
see two of the big cruisers, the Vizcaya and
the Oquendo. Like the Commodore, the
naval officers here are confident that these
two cruisers are in the harbor. for they say
that it would be very bad policy for an Ad-
miral in Cervera's position to divide his
fleet. Even il 1t should prove to be true.
however. that the Vizcaya and Oquendo
are at large, they can do little harm unless
their commanders have arrived at that
desperate state of mind when they are will
ing to submit their ships to certain destruc-
ton for the sake of inflicting some small
injury on one of the unprotected vessels Of
the American navy. or for the glory of rum
ming the blockade.
The Navy Department ha. taken note of
the reported arrival of the torpedo boat
destroyer Terror at San Juan. They say
she has made her last cruise under the
Spanish flag, from which 1t is inferred that
one of the American cruisers is already on
her way to bottle her UP In San Juan har-
Dor.
1t Is believed that Sampson, confident of
schley's ability to hold the Spaniards in
Santiago harbor, is now rapidly preparing
to convoy the military expeditions. the
starting of which cannot be deMrred much
longer. Sampson has reinforced Schley's
fleet with some Of the best ironclads, the
Iowa, for instance, so that there is no
question of his overwhelming the Spa niards
in point of force. The Cienfuegos blockade,
which was not abandoned but temporarily
weakened to insure the safety Of some Of
the blockading vessels from attack by the
Spanish flying squadron. will now be re-
established In all of its old rigor.
No one who can speak authoritatively
will say when the military expeditions will
start. Secretary Alger. when asked tha
direct question this morning replied that IL
would be impolitic to make any statemen:
| on that subject that it would only serve to
| give the Spanish in Cuba opportunity to
mass their forces at certain points and
thereby expose the American troops to
unnecessary dangers. General Miles is
prepared for instant departure. The gem
eral himself refuses to say when he will
move. but there are signs at army head
quarters this morning that indicate an
early departure, possibly tonight.
Decoration Day at the War Department
was q holiday in name only SO far as the
greatest part of the officials were con-
cerned, as they were at their desks for a
good portion of the day. The department
was technically closed, but notwithstand-
ing this large number OF visitors saw
Secretary Alger and his assistants. The
secretary remained until about II o'clock
when he left the department intending to
go to the Arlington National Cemetery to
witness the exercises there. Assistant Sec
rotary Meiklejohn intended to goa too. bat