The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1898-06-03
SPANISH FLEET IS CAUGHT.
SchIey Reports That He Has Seen
1t in Santiago Harbor.
HE RECOGNIZED THEY ARSHIPS
The Navy Department Has Oficial Adj
vices Mt Last-General Blanco Tele-
graphs the Madrid Government That
Cervera Is Still at Santiago.

WASHINGTON, May 31.--At 1880
o'clock this morning, the navy depart
ment received dispatch from Commo-
dore Schley announcing definitely that
he had located Admiral Ccrvera's Cape
Verde squadron in the bay of Santiago
de Cuba. The Commodore states that
he has seen and recognized the vessels
Of the Spanish feet.
1t is not believed that Admiral Ger
vera will attempt to escape from the
predicament in which he now finds
himself, as such a course would surely
result in the destruction of his vessels
and the loss of many lives precious to
Spain. The suggestion is made, how
ever, that the Spaniard may blow up
his ships rather than have them fall
into the hands of Schley as they GER
tainly will if they remain in the har-
Dor.
The definiteness of Commodore
Schley's dispatch would indicate that
he has effected landing near Santiago
and made a personal investigation of
the harbor. 1t would be impossible,
from the entrance of the bay, definitely
to see and recognize the Spanish YES
sells, but by effecting landing at some
point on either side of the entrance, a
vantage point could be gained, very
likely, from which the entire harbor
could be examined. In all probability
Commodore Schley or one of his trusted
officers has successfully performed this
hazardous undertaking in order to OBJ
tain the valuable information con-
tanned in his dispatch.
Commodore Schley has not only his
own squadron, but two or three vessels
besides, in his command, and it is not
believed to be possible for the Spanish
admiral to escape with his fleet. No
information is obtainable as to the
intentions of Commodore Schley.
Whether he will endeavor to force an
entrance to the bay, and seek battle
with the Spanish squadron is not
known, but such course at present is
not regarded as likely. 1t would be
better, in the opinion of some naval
officials, to keep Cervera and his YES
sells safely in the harbor, where they
are as absolutely useless as they would
be at the bottom of the sea.
MADRID, May 31.-Nothing developed
at the cabinet council yesterday to
make clear whether Admiral Cervera's
squadron is in Santiago harbor or out
side it, but General Correa, the minis
ter of war, announced that he had
received a dispatch from General
Blanco to the effect that twelve Ameri-
can warships were off Santiago. Satur-
day but that most of them disappeared
yesterday going in westerly direction.
General Blanco gives it to be under
stood that Admiral Cervera's squadron
remains in Santiago harbor.
The council decided to make large
additional purchases of war materials
and to prohibit the expectation of sill
yer coins.
1t is probable that the government,
on the representations of certain pow
ers, will declare sulphur contraband.
Advices received here from Havana
say that a big sailing ship from Bar
celona, having on board a cargo of pro-
visions and arms, arrived yesterday at
Neuvitas, the northern port of the city
of Porto Principe, capital of the Cuban
province of that name, after running
the blockade.