The times., 1898-07-02
WATSON TO CHASE CAMARA
Americas Eastern Squadron
viii Pursue Spain'S ships.
TIE CAD z FLEET must FIGHT
III fhe Spanish Admiral Fails to Meet
Rear Admiral Dewey He VIII
Have 40 Face the Gums of Com
modore Watson-CoIIiers VIII BE
Armed.

II not the prey OF Rear Admiral Dew
ey's men-of-war Admiral Camara's feet
VIII be the victim OF the Eastern SQUAD
ron, under the command of Commodore
Watson It was learned yesterday on ex-
ce!ient authority that the mission of the
Eastern squadron has but slight refer
eRce 10 the bombardment of the coast of
Spain. Its primary duty viii be TO fol-
low Admiral Camara and to destroy his
command. provided he shall not have al
ready met his fate al the hands OF the
Asiatic squadron.
The task which is before Commodore
Watson is not to be lightly entered upon.
The Navy Department. al the instance
OF The Naval War Board. is making all
preparations TO provide the fleet with an
ample supply OF coal and with fresh
meats and vegetable and ice.
lt is for service with the Eastern squad
ron that the Port Chalmers was pur-
chased and instructions have been
given 10 expedite her conversion
into naval auxiliary cruiser with all
possible dispatch. She win take on board
$4,000 pounds of fresh meats. 10000 pounds
OF fresh vegetables. $50 tons of ice and
ordinary supplies TO last for four months
In addition TO these supplies, under the
instructions given By the department
each vessel will take on board sufficient
supplies 20 last four months. The coll
Hers. viii receive batteries, which viii
enable them to protect themselves and to
do little offensive work. If necessary.
which will be a most desirable thing I'm
view Of the possibility that il will be
necessary TO overhaul some of the aux
lHary cruisers now with Admiral Camara's :
fleet
These preparations necessarily take
time, and it may be thar the SQUADRON
VIII not get away untu the latter part of
next week. None of the colliers has vet
reached Norfolk. where they are TO coal
ana receive their batteries The d@Darr-
ment has been informed that Rear Ad-
miral Sampson and Commodore Watson
nave been arranging the details of the
formation Of the Eastern squadron. and
II Is known that Rear Admiral SAMPSON
is anxious that Cerve-a's feet shall be de-
str0yed before any other operations are
attempted But The necessity Of overtak-
ing Camara's force. If possible. is so
pressing that the authorities are anxious
40 dispatch the Eastern squadron after
HIM as promptly as possible
Even il pursued by Commodore Wat
son : command, the Spanish fleet viii
have abundant Jime TO reach the PhiIfD-
pines The distance from Port Said 10
Manila is $500 miles while Commodore
Watson will have more than y 900 miles
10 cover. Camara's passage through the
canal VIII not be effected for several
days, Il Is confidently expected. and he
VIII be troubled by lack of coal. a the
Naval War Board has taken precautions
70 purchase the coal now on board the
colliers which preceded his squadron and
which are now lying at Red Sea port
But even after his arrival in The Phil
lppines II is not believed that he VIII i'm
diately attempt TO give battle TO Admiral
Dewey. Il Is believed in naval circles
tnat he VIII proceed either to Iloio or
some other point not in possession Of the
Americans. recoaL and there make plans
for his future operations. On account Of
-ae slow speed of the monitors and the
lnefectiveness of the cruisers against
the armor Of the Pelayo and Carlos V,
Rear Admiral Dewey will be compelled
20 remain in Manila harbor. and Admi-
raj Camara therefore can do consider
able harm TO American shipping if let
alone.
If Spain has been counting on this ad-
vantage she is very badly mistaken.
Rear Admiral Dewey viii be able TO hold
ihe Spanish feet in check until Commo-
dore Watson comes to his aid with the
Dattleships Iowa and Oregon. which are
more than a match for the Pelayo and
cruisers can easily take care of the re-
maiader Of the squadron.
Inc advantage the American squadron
WI have over that of Spain in making
the trip is its ample supply Of coal Each
vessel viii probably take on at Newport
News a supply sufficient 10 take il to the
Gelearic Islands or some other Spanish
possession on the other side of the Al
lantic. one OF which will be seized. and
under It's lee the men-of-war will take
.,fOJ tons from the cOlliers. leaving in the
hoids OF the latter vessels more than
6g39 tons. The coal. which has been Dur
chased at Port Said, amounting TO 20
OyJtons-pTinarily TO prevent Camara
from seizing il for his ships. and second
arily for the use Of the American war
ships-will be sent. it is expected. in
schooaers through the canal Ia the Red
sea, where the warships will take on
fresh supply and the residue will be
transferred to the colliers.
The American warships could make the
distance between Port SAID and Manila
without rec0aling. but this Will NOT be
done Before arriving in the neighbOr-
mood OF The position Of the Spanish fleet
me vessels would be reeOaled. and II the
supply on board the Golfers Is NOT sUffi-
clent 1t is confidently expected that
enough for all the ships can be obtained
III some point along the route. OF course.
II Rear Admiral Dewey should defea- ca
mara before the arrival of Watson The
fatler's orders could be counrernan6sd
without trouble
bdL you can depend upon it" said an
Official today. IAN attack upon the Snan-
ish coast if il is made. will only be in rho
nature Of a diversion. The serious b,Isi-
ness JeIoTe commodore WatsOns COM
Tnaad is the capture or destruction al. Ad-
miral Cervera,s ; feet"