The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-05-14
Can Defeat SPANS Ships II They
Come Together.
GULF FOR SCHLEY TO GUARD
ViIIamiI Not Apt to Be Able to
EIuds Both.

Washington, May 53.-"Remember the
Maine and annihilate that Spanish fleet"
That is the substance Of the decision
reached at the cabinet meeting to-day
The President and the members of the
cabinet might choose different language
if called upon to express their views for
publication, but that is the substance of
what was agreed upon.
The location of The Spanish feet on this
side of the Atlantic is Just what the ad-
lninistratlon has hoped for.
It was feared that Spain would con-
tinue its defensive policy.
Now that she has made bold to venture
into these waters the entire strength of
Rear Admiral Simpsons feet, assisted by
the flying squadron of Commodore schley,
will be employed to give Admiral Villamil
such a warm reception that he will lcng
remember the day he eane in contact
with the Yankee sk.ppers.
AS soon as the President was assured
II the location Of the rieet a meeting
of the war board was called il was at
once decided that the TFlying Squadron
should be sent to reinforce the feet off
Havana
All efforts looking TO the invasion of
Cuba by a land force were temporarily
suspended, and to day the militia branch
of the service is for the moment forgotten
in the rush and expectancy of naval en-
gagement between the Spanish and Amer
lean warships.
A ,f t1 ;., he
White House after To- days conference
informed the Morning News correspondent
that he expects to hear of an engagement
between the two 1eets within the next
twenty-four hours.
Said he: Sampson had been informed
of the presence of the Spanish fleet end
he is well informed as to the strength,
capacity and fighting qualities of the
Spanish ships. Commodore Schley is also
fully advised on the subject and we ex-
pect to see the Spaniards completely des-
troyed. At any rate that is the task cut
out for Admiral Sampson and his associ-
ates
When questioned concerning the pro-
posed invasion of Cuba by the army the
cabinet minister said: "It is deemed wise
aud proper that the whole attention of
our warships should be directed against
the Spanish fleet. 1t would be idle to
attempt to land an invading party without
the cooperation of our fleet. The most
important thing for us 10 do now, is to
so after the Spanish fleet and destroy
1t. That is the general feeling not only
at the White House but at the war and
navy departments, ana also in Congress"
There is still a mystery as to what por
the Spanish fleet is heading for. Some
of the naval authorities claim that Ad-
miral Villamil is conveying two big sup
ply ships which he is anxious to land at
Cienfuegos. 1t is that belief which prob
ably accounts for the appearance of the
fleet as far south as Martinique. At pres
ent the southern coast OF Cuba is guarded
by very inefficient fleet Of American gum
boats. Should the Spanish fleet come I'M
eXpeeterly upon the small vessels now
attempting to blockade Cieufuegos from
the south the result would probably be
disastrous to the American ships.
The Spanish fleet, although not a num-
erous one, Is formidable. 1t consists Of
the fastest and best equipped cruisers IN
the Spanish navy. The Vizcaya Amir
ante Oquendo, Infanta Maria Teresa, and
Crstobal Colon, and three torpedo des-
troyers, the Terror, Furror and Pluton.
If Admiral Sampson should find the |
Spaniards in q fighting humor, he would |
nave the best of IL, as far as chances can |
be estimated from simple calculation of |
the respective number of armored ships !
and guns. The big battleshiDs Indiana |
ana Iowa, though 25 per cent. slower than
the Nizcaya class, far oyermatches them /
IN offensive and defensive power. The |
ermor belts and turrets could not be pierre |
ca at fighting range of 1900 yards by the |
biggest gun mounted by the Spaniards, |
while the - and 13-nch guns of our bat
tleships could perforate the Spanish armor
belts.
The New York, however, is inferior In |
both offensive power and armor to the
Spanish vessels. though she might hold
her own by superior management and gun
merry. The other vessels Of Admiral Samp-
sons fleet. the monitors Amphtrite and
Terror, would more than balance the
power against the Spanish cruisers.
Then allowing the cruisers Montgom-
cry Detroit and Marblehead TO offset the