The Mena star., 1898-05-25
WHERE IS CERVERAs
The Spanish Admiral Successfulln
 Eluding Sampson and Schlev.
No Reliable News from the Hostile Flao.. We Can Fly the Spanish Flag-Italv u.. Not Entered Protest-Perfect sys-
 tenn of Coast Signaling.

tenn Of Coast Signaling.
 WASHINGTON, May 24 It was sta,.a at the navy department yesterday ., the close of office hours, that no d,s patches of any kind relating to tha movements of the fleets or the nros pect of any engagement had been re. ceived during the day, and that tba only dispatch received related to an inconsequental prize case. As the shine are now at sea, there is no expectation of reports until decisive engagemep. occurs and dispatch boat gets to port, or it is found Cervera has eludaa our search. In the meantime tharo is complete lack of official data bv which to forecast the coming engaos. ment.
 We Can Fly the Spanish Flag.
 Late in the day the Associated press dispatches from Madrid, giving the sharp debate in the cortes over the al. legged flying of the Spanish flae hv American warships, created much com. ment in naval circles. Spain's protest to the powers that this use of the flac was "cowardly and iniquitous" was dismissed by naval officers with the statement that international law writers agreed on the right to use an enemy's flag for purposes of deceit so long as the flag is hauled down before shot is fired.
 Spain wm win Resort to Privateerlne.
 The statement made by the Spanish minister of the interior that the gov ernmentis likely to resort to privateer. ing does not create any apnreheneian among officers here. One of the hivb. est authorities of the navy department said Spain would adopt privateering if she felt it to be to her interest. without waiting for this country to give any pretext for such action. Itis felt, however, that Great Britain, Ger. many and France will have considers ble to say in case Spain resorts to privateering.
 Italy Has Registered No Protest
 The announcement by way of Paris that the Italian government had pro- tested against the continuance of the blockade of the Cuban coast, on the ground that 1t was ineffective, met a prompt denial at the state depart ment. and it can be stated definitely that neither in Washington nor in Rome have any representations on this subject been addressed to the United States government. As mat tsr of fact, Italy probably is the mari- time power of all others with which the United States has had absolutely no correspondence in the slightest de- gree connected with the Cuban block. ade.
 The Blockade Effective
 As to the allegation that the block. ade is ineffective, 1t is said that, on the contrary, it has been singularly successful and that, so far as known, not a single neutral ship subject to de- tention has passed the lines without the express consent of our government
 Spanish Vessels subject to Capture
 With the beginning of the present week, all Spanish vessels in United States ports, which sailed after the outbreak of war, are subject to seizure as well as all Spanish merchantmen found on the high seas, save where they left port for the United States be- fore April 2l, last The presidents proclamation of war allowed such ships lying in our ports or bound for them so days in which to discharge cargo, and also insure them safe pas sage home. That period of time ex- pired last Saturday night. This, its expected, will tend to free the state department from complications.
 Great system of Coast signaling
 Under the energetic management oi Capt Bartlett, who was recalled from the retired list into the active service of the navy department for the pur- pose, there has just been perfected most admirable and thorough system of coast signaling for war purposes. The navy department itself estap- lished 30 stations on the coast manned by naval militiamen. Then it called into service l,060 lighthouse employes and l,000 life saving men, making total force of over 5000 men, who pa- trol the great shore lines from bur Harbor to Galveston night and day and in all wcathers, watching for ths approach of an enemy or for signal from any passing United States war ship.