The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-06-04
AN OFFICIAL REPORT
Commodore Schley Reports the BON.
bardment Of santiago.
SPANISH BATTERIES FORMIDABLE.
Evident that the Forts Arc Well
Fortified.
NATTER OF COUNTERMlNlNG.
The Ncsuviur May lie Used 10 De-
stroy the Mines I'm the Hnrbor.
Cadix Fleet Not Feared.

| Washington. June S--The navy depart
mcnt has received an official report from
Commodore schley regarding his recent at
tack on the Qualifications at the entrance
| to Santiago harbor 1t was received with
much satisfaction at the cabinet meeting
today.
None of schleys vessels were touched by
the enemy's volleys and there were no
casualties or mishaps on his vessels. lie
says, in addition that he has 10 reasonable
doubt that Cerveras fleet is inside the
hNIhor of Santiago.
| Washington. June IA brief bulletin
of Commodore Schleys reconnaissance
and the battle Of Tuesday was all the news
the navy department had to contribute to-
i day. The bulletin went to confirm the
press dispatches, which told OF the firing
on the Notifications at Santiago. but which
have been so steadily discredited ever since
the first report. 1t appears from the bull
letin given out that Commodore Schley
concentrated pretty good fire on the
Spanish defenses. and it seems probable
that had he found conditions more pro-
pitious than they were he would have re-
solved the reconnaissance into an assault
In force.
The great natural strength Of the Spanish
position and the formidable character of
their batteries. as indicated by Commo-
dore Schley. have confirmed the navy Of
ficlals in the belief that they have peen
wise not to direct any such reckless as
sault on the place in the absence of proper
forces. as has been advocated in some quar-
ters The problem would be simpifed
were It known that there were no menace
IN the channel There is no case on rec
ord of successful counterminng against
modern improved electrical mines 1t re-
mains to be seen how Sampson is going to
solve this problem. whsther by use Of the
Vesuvius with her dynamite projeetiles, ny
the aid Of divers, or by recourse to the old
method of dragging for the mines with
small boats as in cable operations
The ownsrs OF the Holland submarine
boat. who had proposed to go into Santiago
harbor and destroy the Spanish warships,
also all Spanish vessels, have come for
ward with a request for practical test by
the naval officers Of their craft. The navy
department was Obliged TO decline to en-
terrain the first proposition. as it smacked
OF privateering and was in violation OF In
ternational law.
Notwithstanding the rather positive
statement coming from jamaica that u
second Spanish fleet from Cadz has
crossed the Atlantic and is about to join
Ceryera today at Santiago. the officers OF
the navy department refuse TO be fright
ened at what they declare to be bugaDoo.
1t appears that the basis of their conf
dence is Geographic report OF the date OF
yesterday declaring thu the Cadiz fleet
is still at Cldlz. Moreover. they say there
are not so many as sixteen ships In the
fleet.
Captain Sigsbee of the auxiliary cruiser
ST. Paul reported at the navy department
today and had conference with Acting
Secretary Allen.
Messrs Thral. and Jones. the two news
paper correspondents imprisoned at Havana
and recently exchanged for Spanish Off
GERS, were also at the navy department dur
ing the day.
The navy department found IL necessary
today to make an explanation OF the method
IL had employed OF advancing on the list
the captains of the vessels engaged in the
battle Ct Manila. There appeared TO be h
great inconsistency in the rank, Captain
Frank Wldes of the Boston for instance
going up only five rameg, while Com
mander Wood OF the little Pssrel jumped
ten. Admiral Dewey hmsei went up only
TWO names. The reason for this, accord
ing to the navy department Is that num-
Der in the higher grade Is worth more than
number In the lower grade
The advancement oi these officers on the
naval card caused some very cur,ons
"skips," such for instance, as in the cave
Of Captain SigFbee. Captain Crowninshieid
: and CAPTAIN O'Neill Of the ordnance bu-
, reau, who were all passed over.