Evening star., 1898-05-30
THE SPANISH FLEET
Admiral Cervera Will Not Be Able to
Extricate Himself.
SHORT OF COAL AND PROVISIONS
Belieed That This Situation May
End the War Earlier.
PROMPT AGG GRESSIVE ACTION


The definite information received by the
Navy Department from Admiral Schley
tfat the Spanish fleet is at Santiago has
caused the utmost satisfaction in congress
S.Cnal circles, and the general feeling is
II at there will be no further delay of ag-
sressive and decisive operations. The idea
that it is possible for the Spanish admiral
to extricate himself from his present posi-
ton is not entertained, nor is there any
apprehension that it is in the power of
Spain to relieve him. That it was Admiral
Cervera's hope and Spain's intention that
the Cadiz feet should be sent to join Ad-
miral Ccrvera is not doubted, but 1t is
feared now that this plan will be abandoned
end tnat the Cadiz fleet will not appear on
this side OF the Atlantic. 1t would be re-
garded as a subject of congratulation
should the Cadiz fleet persist in a purpose
to relieve Admiral Cervera from his dis
tire ssed situation. 1t now turns out that
the reason the Navy Department SO read
lily credited the statement that the Spanish
admiral had entered the harbor of Santiago
was that it had the most reliable informa-
ton, after the visit of the Spanish fleet to
Curacao that the vessels were In a condi-
ton which would compel Admiral Cervera
to seek hartor of refuge somewhere, and
therefore when 1t was announced that the
fleet had arrived at Santiago, 1t was be-
lieved to be true by the department.. be-
cause of Admiral Cervera's dire necessity.
Short of Coal and ProvIsious.
A report made 10 the department from
Curacao by a responsible well-known au-
thority stated that the Spanish fllet was
shcrt of both coal and provisions: that the
bottoms Of the vessels were in an ex-
ceedingly bad condition, and that the men
showed unmistakatle signs of privation
and dependency. The opinion held in the
department, according to the statement OF
prominent members of Congress who have
talked with officia on the subject is hat
Cervera has not been guided N his move
ments by any shr- wd sra .eg.c pan, but
has been impe..ed by necessity to dodge
from pace TO place in the hope of being
abe TO secure suppl es. and that finally.
when no escape was open to him, he sought
refuge in Santiago harbor. not with any
hope of conducting operations against our
forces, but fer the purpose of saving his
feet from destruction and to protect the
lives Of mis- men. 1t is not believed that
he is in a condition to conduct any naval
assumed ttat the Spanish government has
been made aware of it, and that conse-
quently the intention to send the Cadiz
fleet to these waters will be abandoned,
since it could only result In the des rlc-
ton of that fleet as well as the one now
at Santiago.
iEcct of the Situation.
The general feeling In Congress is that
4 y
the war at an earlier day than has recently
been thought possible The invasion of
Porto Rico and the landing of forces for
an attack on Santiago. to be followed as
soon as practicable by a general invasion
of the Island of Cuba and an attack on
Havana oy land ard sea, are expected to
reduce Spain to a state of helplessness
which will deprive all her operations for
the rest of the war of any significance, If
they do not compel her to sue for peace at
once after the fall of Havana. As soon as
our troops can reach Manila the occupa-
ton of the Philippine Islands will be COM
pleted. and the war is expected to end with
the Philippines and Porto Rico in our pes
session, the freedom of Cuba then being
established.
No Reason Now for Delay.
son for delay. and that the naval and mill
tary movements will now proceed rapidly.
With the Spanish fleet rendered helpless,
the problem is more one of having suf-
ficient number of completely equipped
forces to occupy the territory at the three
points than it is of overthrowing the power
of Spain.
Interest is centered now on the move
ments of the army, and efforts are directed
toward completing it's equipment and get
ting ready a sufficient force to be distrib-
uted between Porto Rico, the Philippines
and Cuba. General Miles is preparing to
go south, and it is the Presidents intention
that he shall take the field, comman nding
the troops to be sent to Santiago. 1t is the
present intention that twenty thousand
troops shall be sent from Tampa, composed
principally Of regulars. and that the opera
tions against the town and the Spanish
fleet in the harbor shall be by land forces,
the fleet penned up in that narrow harbor
being easily within the range of fire Of
shore batteries.
The Occupation of Porto Rico
General Miles Is represented as adher-
ing to his position in favor of the immedi-
ate occupation of Porto Rico, and it is un-
derstood that he favors the invasion Of
Porto Rico before the attack on Santiago
Though the general trend of gossip today
is based on the assumption that the first
move is to be against Santiago. 1t is en-
tirely probable that the plan of a descent
upon San Juan. Porto Rico. before attack
ing Santiago will followed. AS has already
been intimated. the expedition may start
from Tampa with the impression prevail
ing that it is bound for Cuba, while, as a
matter of fact. its destination may be San
Juan first. The rapidity with which the
operations are pressed will be limited only
by the ability Of this government to equip
and get ready troops enough for the pur-
poses designed