Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1898-05-05
NAVAL RECONNAISSANCE.
That was What Wednesday After
Moons Demonstration at
Matanzas Amounted To.
WE'LL CALL AGAIN A FEW DAYS HENCE.
Believed to BE the Point Where
the First Landing OF United States
Troops VIII be Made, So That Aid Can
be Carried to the Reconcentrados
Whose Supplies Have Been Seized.

WASHINGTON, April 2s.-Intense 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 engagements at Ma
tanzas Wednesday noon between the
shore batteries and three vessels of Adj
mlral SIMPSONS fleet. The navy de-
partment itself had absolutely no re-
port 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 man.
ming the end of the cable there
The fact that Admiral Sampson has
not made any report to the secretary
as yet, Notwithstanding he must have
mad the same opportunity TO communi-
cate with Key West as was enioyed by
the press, leads the officials of the de-
partment to believe that the affair was
not OF great consequence. Indeed, they
say 1t is inconceivable that any very
extensive damage could have been in.
hlcted upon properly placed batteries
at the distance reported, varying from
two and a half to four miles in the
snort space of 1S min dtes during which
II is said the engagement lasted.
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
authority for the statement that the
admiral had no intention whatever at
this time to lombard the MatanZas
batteries To do so now would be bad
strategy and of little avail, for in the
absence of any landing force, the adj
miral would be unprepared to take adj
vantage of the victory he might gain
through a reduction of the forts, and
the Spaniards might have ample op
portunity over night to repair in
large measure the damage inflicted on
their Notifications. 1t is stated posi-
lively that Admiral SIMPSONS purpose
was simply to ascertain if any shore
batteries existed at Matanzas, and, if
so, to draw their fire and ascertain
their character, and then to retire be-
yond range. In other words, it was
simply naval reconnaissance.
In the event that during his observa-
tions the admiral discovered that new
defenses were under construction on
shore he world, it is said, of course not
lose the opportunity to cripple them
by throwing few shells into the earth
works and endeavoring to knock over
gun or two. 1t is the general belief
at the department, however,
that Matanzas is to be soon
reduced and made base OF
operations in the campaign against
Havana. 1t is also the presi-
dents purpose to keep in mind
throughout the awful condition of the
reconcentrados, who are most numer-
GUS in and around Matanzas. Unless
relief is extended to them they I'M
doubtedly will perish during the
progress of a 1ong-drawn-out war
The reported seizure by the
Spanish military authorities at Matan.
gas of stores contributed by Americans
and held in trust there for the relief
of these poor sufferers is regarded as a
clear Indication that even if the Red
Cross steamer Texas is permitted to land
her cargoof supplies at Matanzas, under
existing conditions, the food will not
reach the reconcentrados. but will only
go to support the Spanish garrison in
their resistance. Therefore, it is be-
ieved that the president contemplates
the early capture of Matanzas, not
only because of its Importance, but in
order that he may from there hold
out a helping hand to the starving
peasantry- 1t is likely. therefore,
that, while there was nothing of the
nature of general engagement in Ad-
miral SIMPSONS reconnaissance of
Wednesday, he will soon take steps to
begin a heavier and lively lombard
ment of MatanzaS.