The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1898-04-29
Absence Of Any Report From
Sampson on the Matter
Makes 1t Evident
That 1t Was Simply a Naval
Reconnaissance to Locate the
Shore Batteries.
Expected, However, Occupation
of MatanZas Will Soon Be
Accomplished.

" AsHlNGlON, April SJ.-1nlenSo IN.
terest was shown at the navy depart.
ment in the published reports from on
board the flagship New York, and from
Key West of the engagement of Matan.
zas Wednesday noon between the shore
batteries and three vessels of Admiral
Sampson's fleet. The navy department
itself had absolutely no report from
any of its agents or any Of the officers
Of the blockading fleet Of this affair.
1t, of course, could not be expected
that news could be had from Havana,
with Spanish censor manning the
end of the cable there. The fact that
Admiral Sampson has not made any
report to the secretary as yet, notwith.
standing he must have had the same
opportunity to communicate with Key
w st as was enjoyed by the press, leads
the officials of the department to
believe the affair was not Of much
conseq fence. Indeed, they say it is
inconceivable that any very extensive
damage could have been inflicted upon
|
tance reported, varying from two and
one-half to four miles, in the short
space of Is minutes, during which it is
said the engagement lasted.
just a Reconnaissance.
a member of the strategy board, who
is of course thoroughly conversant with
the plans of Admiral Sampson, SO far
as they have been generaliZed. is author.
ity for the statement that the admiral
had no intention whatever at this time
to lombard the Matanzas battery. To
do SO now would be bad strategy and OF
little avail, for in the absence of any
landing force, the admiral would be
unprepared to take advantage of the
victory he might gain through the re-
duction of the forts, and the Spaniards
might have ample opportunity over
night to repair in large measure the
damage inflicted on their Notifications.
1t is stated positively that Admiral
Simpsons purpose was simply to as
certain if any shore batteries existed al
Matanzas, and if so to draw their fire
and ascertain their character and then
. to retire beyond range. In other
words, it was simply naval recon
noisance. In the event that during
his observations, the admiral dlscov
cred that new defenses were under
construction on shore, he would, it i:
said, of course not lose the opportunity
to cripple them by
Throwing a Few Shells
| I
to knock over gun or two. 1t Is tn
general belief at the department, how
F., ever, that Matanzas is to be soon re
/, duced. and made a base Of operation
: in the campaign against Havana. 1t i
! also the presidents purpose to keep II
mind throughout the war the awfu
condition of the reconcentradoes, VIII
are most numerous i'll and aroun'
; Matanzas. Unless relief is extended
to them, they undoubtedly will perisl
:, during the progress of along.drawn'ou
y war. The reported seizure by tn
:, Spanish military authorities at Matan
= zas Of stores contributed by American
and held in trust there for the relief Q
. these poor sufferers, is regarded as
= clear indication that even If the Re
y Cross steamer Texas is permitted
> land, her cargo Of supplies at Matansa
} under existing conditions, the food wi
o not reach the reconcentrados, but wi
: only go to support the Spanish garriso
in their resistance. Therefore, 1t Is b
lieved that the president contemplate
= the early seizure of Matanzas, not onl
because Of its importance, but in orde
that he may from there hold out
helping hand to the starving peasal
try. 1t is likely, therefore, that viii
there was nothing Of the nature OF
general ngagement in Admiral Saml
sons reconnaissance, he will soon taA
steps to begin heavier and livel
| of MafanzaS.