New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-06-29
SEVERE BLOWS TO SPAIN.
A DAY OF UNUSUAL ACTIVITY AND
ENERGY IN WASHINGTOE.


Washington, June 2s-The War and Navy
departments by th-ir marked increase in ac-
.ivty to-day gave significant evidence Of the
aggressive efforts to be Immediately exerted
against Spain growing out Of tho decision
reached by the Administration that termina-
ton Of the war can only be secured by bringing
home the dis comforts we'll the horrors Of
conflict to the greatest number Of Spanish sub
jects in the shortest time. The wide extension
Of the Cuban blockade the announced intention
Of hurryng twenty-five thousand additional SOL
diers into Cuba: the proclaimed closure OF san
Juan de Porto Rico. together with yesterdays
decision 10 dispatch Commodore Watson's pow
erful fleet to European waters gave a new I'M
petus to the energy displayed at military and
naval headquarters. resulting in rush and hustle
which had not been cqualied since the week In
April that was made historical by the Presi-
dents ultimatum. The proclamation OF me
Cuban blockade the first call FOR volunteers
and the actual beginning of hostilities
No sooner had the departments opened this
morning than the Presidents oroclamat.oA an
nouncinc the institution " IN effective blockade
OF five hundred miles of the southern coast Of
Cuba and Of the por; Of san Juan was issued
from the state Department Almost sinultane-
ously appeared the official announcement from
the Navy Department OF the Yale's arrival with
the first relnforccments for General Shafter.
with their successful landing &; Slb7ney. and
the brief syllabus ~ Captain SigsOee's severe
punishment ~ The Spanish torpedo boat de-
stroycr which had tried 70 force h.m away from
the entrance ~ san Juan. where he main
taining complete blockade.
cAMAKA N SERIOUS STRAITS
A n,tle later the state Department received
an official dispatch from the American agent
In Fcypt announcing that Admiral Camlra had
not vet entered the Spez Canal and was al
ready I'm serious straits over Injuries 20 several
ot his vessels and tho disinclnation u the
Egyptian authorities 20 allow him 20 take coal
The Spanish Admiral was also confronted with
the little known fact that the convention Of all
the European Powers guaranteeing the neutral
fly Of the canal absolutely prohibited the prog
grcss Of more than one armed vessel of single
nation through that artificial waterway al one
time and that the exceedingly s'in tolls and
port charges had invariably 10 he paid in ad-
vance in gold and not in sight drafts All this
was apparently dlsconcrrtlng IN the extreme 70
the Spanish commander. and the dispatch 20
the State Department expressed the belief that
Carnara would turn back 20 Spain. He had
however asked the Egyptian Governments per-
mission 20 remain whore he was for period of
three days to make indispensable repairs on the
torpedo boat destroyer Audaz. and IN the mean
time he was engaged I'm an animated exchange
Of telegraphic messages with his home Govern
ment
HURRYING RAID OK SPANS COAST
The naval authorities are manifesting the
liveest anxiety 10 expedite the departure x
Commodore Watson's raid.ng squadron from
~. ont ID
Admiral Sampson today 10 have the Iowa and
the Oregon fully coaed and equipped TO report
for their new duty before the end Of the present
week BY that tine the Newark, the aux
niary cruisers Yankee. Dixie and Yosemite
and the three golfers Scanda. Alexander and
Abarenda will probably assemble north Of Porto
Rico. when straight course for the Canaries
VIII be pursued The naval refrisera. OF snip
Supply loaded with fresh meat and vegetables
will Immediately set out for the rendezvous. N
order that the sailors OF the fleet may be We'll
fed on their long Transatlantic voyage.
The De partn.ent is also arranging 20 start seV-
eral fast golfers across the ocean TO meet the
fleet in the vicinity Of Gibraltar bout the MA
die OF July. 1t is considered conclusive mat the
main objective OF the squadron IL 10 lntict pun
ishment on the important city OF Cadz' - 'slh-
ming with the bombardment Of its chain Of forts
at sunrise some morning by the Iowa and the
Oregon and the destruction Of parts or the
city by shelling after twenty-four hours notice
has been given. the idea being. by the .reation OF
enormous material damage 10 show spain the
terrible earncstness of the United states. Ihe
city Of CadiZ Is adyantageously located from an
American point OF view. for operations of this
character. its chief public buildings snd valu-
able naval establishment being easily within
80 . 30. fTtr. n q =
te-ships and those Of the Newark. The auxil-
iaries Yankee Dixie and Yosemite are relied on
in this engagement to prevent torpedo boats
from approaching too near the battle nips. and
,n this work they may be assisted by the rapid
FIRE guns already mounted on the Golfers
TIGHTENING LINES ABOUT CUBA.
The naval authorities to-day were also ex-
trenelv busy arranging the details OF the squad
ron which is already beginning to cut off access
from, abroad to the ports OF Batabano, Cienfue-
goe Trinidad Santa Cruz and ManZanllo. as
well as the Isle OF Pines. which are included in
the straight line five hundred miles in length
drawn from Cape Frances and Cape Cruz Ad-
miral Sampson now commands the altogether
unprecedented naval force Of lOI vessels. includ-
inc battle-shps. cruisers torpedo-ooats. reve-
nue. cutters and extemporzed auxiliary vessels
now In West Indian waters, and excluding Com
modore Watson's feet and the ships reserved for
defence on the North Atlantic and those on de-
tached service. In the next week or ten days
four or five Of these vessels will nave taken the
Mace OF the st. Paul OFF Porto Rico, and. allow
ing an average OF elghf or ten or necessity re-
aortinp to the naval base at Key West, he Will
stnI have at least ninety vessels or various
kjrds 10 maintain the Cuban blockade.
These figures indicate what enoi nous STRIDES
the American Navy has taken in the last few
months. while the sea power Of Spain mas as
notably dwlndled
DIVISION OF BLOCKADE FLEET.
II is the intention OF the Department TO retain
the heavy monitors in position or Havana Glen
fueeoes and perhaps Trinidad, supporting
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