The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-05-25
CANNOT GET AWAY.
Washington Strategists Think the
Spaniards Have Been COrnered.

Spaniards Have Been COrnered.
Special to the indianapolis Journal.
WASHINGTON, May "a The persistency
with which reports of great naval victory
off the east end of Cuba circulated to-day
produced a great sensation in Washington,
and kept everybody in a state of excitement.
Up to a late hour tonight these reports
have not been officially confirmed, and, in
fact, no corroborat ton which would be con-
sidered reliable or conclusive had arrived
yet it was, nevertheless, Tin the air. that
the Spanish fleet had been defeated or sunk.
Later disclosures may show this impression
to have been erroneous, yet, until such shall
prove to be the case, the capital will con-
tinue to anchor it's hopes upon the accuracy
of the vague stories which have been afloat
all day and night. The President and Off
Gals OF war and navy are on tenterhooks.
They admit the stronger probability that the
news of a battle would be likely to reach
the public first through unofficial channels,
and while fastening to say that there has
been no official confederation of the report
are careful not to give too explicit contra
diction Of battle bulletins or to state bluntly
that there has been no engagement. They
simply endeavor to convey the impression
that because there is no official confirma-
even though there has been no fight between
the opposing fleets as yet, the opinion is
deep-seated that the Spaniards cannot get
away from the West Indies without clash.
If the delicate machinery in one of their
vessels should get out of order, something
which is liable to occur at any time, the
whole fleet would have to make a stand or
desert one of it's own ships in distress
similar accident to an American ship would
be Of minor consequence. The conclusion
has been reached by members of the naval
board of strategy that the Spanish purpose
in sending a fleet to this side was to give
Blanco fresh supply of ammunition, and
that with this mission accomplished Adj
miral Cervera will return to Cadiz.
The Democrats are circulating the story
that Admiral Dewey would have pleased the
administration immensely it, after sinking
the Spanish fleet in the harbor of Manila,
he had returned to Hong-Kong and re-
manned there awaiting instructions instead
of sticking close to the scene of his triumph
and filing claim on the Philippine islands.
They are ill-naturedly saying that the Pres
ident regrets very much that the brave adj
miral has by his action involved this coun-
try in complications which might have been
avoided if he had been satisfied to rest on
ing to acquire more territory for his coun-
try. They are telling this story to explain
why the administration has been so slow in
forwarding reinforcements to the Philippine
islands, and to further explain why it was
the War Department had not anticipated
the results of great victory in Asiatic wa
tiers and had a large army concentrated at
San Francisco ready for embarkation the
moment news of a successful battle should
be transmitted to Washington. The story,
while apparently without foundation, new
ertheless gives the statesmen and politicians
in Washington, as well as the warriors and
heroes, something to talk about while they
are awaiting to hear from Sampson.
An Associated Press dispatch says: There
was a lapse into sensation of war rumors to-
day after week of comparative quiet The
rumors ranged all the way from the capture
Of the little Mangrove, with crew of thir-
teen men, to the reported destruction of the
entire Spanish fleet by SIMPSONS and
Schleys combined forces. They were cir
culated with persistence, Notwithstanding
their denials as soon as they could be
brought to the attention Of any official cap
able of passing judgment on their accuracy
AS the day rolled along the officials them
selves became apprehensive, as was shown
Dy the frequency WIFI winch Cley called for
the latest newspaper bulletins. At the close
of the day, however. it was again announced
in the most positive manner that the Navy
Department had no information to warrant
the report of any sort of engagement in the
Windward passage This did not specifically
cover the waters of the West Indies, but in
view of the fact that the department has
almost pledged itself to let the public know
anything in the nature of a general engage
ment, possibly the bulletin announced is
sufficient to cover the case.
When Secretary Long started for home
after an exceptionally busy day. he stated
to group of newspaper men that the de-
partment had received no information &C i'm
portance. In response to an inquiry as TO
where the Spanish fleet was located Mr..
Long replied that his belief was that it was
still at Santiago de Cuba. Concerning the
reported capture of the Mangrove and the
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