The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-05-06
ELEEI THREATENS PORTO RICO

Madrid, May So p. m--Considerable
anxiety is expressed here as to the fate
Of Porto Rico. It is feared that Ad-
niraI SIMPSONS squadron has gone TO
seize San Juan, the capital Of that COL
ony. and the Spanish coal supplies at
that port
New York, May 5.-A special to the
Herald from Washington says:
SPANS Atlantic feet is not to be al
Iowedto reach Porto Rico or to approach
the coast of the United States.
Rear Admiral Sampson has perfected
plans for meeting the enem yon the high
seas and giving battle at a time and
place Of his own choosing.
Facts all point to the theory that
there is to be a union OF the srmored
ships under Admiral Sampson and those
under Commodore Schley at point in
the ocean previously agreed upon. and
that the scouts are TO report to them
there the location and direction Of the
Spanish ships. 1t IS not believed to be
possible that the Spanish ships viii be
able to avoid all Of the scouting vessels
Washington, May 5.-No confirmation
was obtainable today Of the various re-
ports concerning movements Of Captain
SIMPSONS feet Persons who from their
official position might be supposed 70
share the confidence of the administra-
ton were credited with the statement
that the admiral had gone to seize Porto
Rico, and this statement was made after
rr-frh ha
other hand 1t was asserted with almost
equal positiveness that the feet had gone
TO meet the Oregon and bring her in safe
~ 70 the north Still another report was
10 the effect that the admiral had gone
70 seize Matanzas, TO be used as q base
OF operations The officials refused abb
sOluteiy TO make public the plans OF the
strategy board and thus give aid to the
enemy. Therefore these conflicting ru-
mors as 20 the plans Of the feet must be
Judged only in the light OF their proba-
bility when viewed IN connection with
the usual methods Of warfare Thus. TO
lombard Matanzas, without at the same
time being able 70 land sufficient force
20 seize and hold the place would seem 10
be very bad strategy, and the fact that
SIMPSONS feet was accompanied by no
troops, or transports, would seem 10
negative the idea that he had gone 70
either attack MaAnzas or seize Porto
Rico. To attempt the latter would re-
qiuue strong landing force IN view OF
the number of Spanish troops on the
island. and In addition II was suggested
that Admiral Sampson would BE- very
10th to run the risk Of having one or
moro OF his best ships completely disa-
bled by attacking fors needlessly and
thus leave his feet Inferior to the Span
ish forceA
There were many conferences between
the president and senator's and repre-
sntAtivs today. The first oomer was Sen
ator Burrows OF Michigan, who came to
present some friends 10 the president.
As he left, he said:
Everything IS moving along smoothly
and well What we want now Is Porto
Rico. We ought TO have that tomor-
row.
wiz IT be es soon a. that. senator"
Yes" was the response Probably IN
day or two"
While refrailins from saying what
transpired during his interview with the
president. his statement that the seiz-
ure of Porto Rico IS expected 10 be ef-
fected IN day or two was thought by
his hearers TO be significant having been
made Immediately after the senator had