The weekly intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1891-1901, 1898-05-21
THE HOSTILE FLEET.
Sampson and Schley Are Penning
Up Spain's Squadron.
Difficult to See How Adm. Cervera Can
Now Avoid a FIght-PeacefuI blockade
Over-BIockaders Must BE VigiIant
May Attack Coast Cities.

WASHINGTON, May 17.-Intimations
have been received here that Capt.
Gen. Blanco at Havana, is very short
of ammunition, in which case the pow
erful batteries at the entrance of Ha-
vana harbor, of course, would be de-
prived of large part of their defen-
sive strength. This state of affairs
may lead to some desperate attempts
at blockade running on the part OF
the Spaniards, in the hope of getting
more ammunition into Havana. It is
believed that the supplies so frequent
ly referred to as being on the Spanish
flying squadron were of this character,
rather than food supplies, which makes
it all the more important that Samp-
son and Schley should succeed in keep
ing Adm. Cervera from reaching Ha-
vana or Cienfuegos or any port of Cuba
connected with Havana by rail.
Commodore Schley probably is well
down on the Florida coast now, and
should be able to guard the Florida
straits. h,s appearance on that side
of Cuba would enable Sampson to
bring his ironciads with perfect safety
into Cienfuegos, on the south side and,
with this disposition of\our naval force
and the free use of o considerable
number of our scouting vessels it is
hard to see how the Spanish feet can
escape from the gulf of Mexico or the
Caribbean sea.
Peaceful Blockade at an End.
WASHINGTON, May 17.-President Nc
Kinley has abandoned his peaceful
blockade idea. He has had the inn
preston that the Cuban coast was
poorly defended, and that arms and
ammunition could be landed for the
insurgents at any point and at any
time without loss of life or danger to
our ships. The result of the Cardenas
affair, in which good American blood
was wasted, has, however, caused
the president to revise his
opinion. Hereafter when our
warships approach Cuban har-
Dor it will be with business intent
Orders were issued to-day to the COM
mander of the blockading squadron
that will give him an opportunity to
turn his ships loose on all fortifica-
tions where resistance is offered. Ev-
cry Cuban port that is strongly pro-
tected will be attacked and the bonn
bardment will be kept up until the
Spanish guns are silenced and all gum
boats are sunk.
Another Call Probable.
CHICAGO, May 16.-A special from
Washington to the News says:
You can put it down that the president will
issue another call for another 100 600 volunteers
within the next ten days" remarked Repre-
sentative Lewis, of Washington. this morning
as he was leaving the white house
81 know that this matter has been con-
sidered by the president and his cabinet
The secretary OF war, I understood. wanted
the first call for 100000 volunteers, but it was
considered best to divide tho -Iestion and is
sue another call later At thu = the first
call was issued It was not contemplated that
We would take the Philippines and Porto Rico |
and hence need more volunteers"
Blockaders Ordered to Be Vigilant
NEW YORK, May 1.-THE Evening |
Posts Key West special says:
The blockaders on the south coast OF Cuba |
have been warned that the Spanish squadron |
is reported on Venezuela, bound northwest |
and to double their vigilance. Powerful ves- |
sells whichdt is not necessafy to name will be |
ready to aid the ships stationed there in resist
ing the progress OF the enemy and there is small
chance that the Spanish will be able to enter |
Cienfuegos. a fortified port desirable to them |
on account OF the large coaling facilities and |
machine shops Both our squsdrons are |
informed about the course Of the Spanish |
dotilla
To Serve on Lees stan.
WASHINGTON. May IA son of Maj. |
Gen. Ftzhugh Lee and Algernon Sar-
toris, grandson of Gen. U. S. Grant, |
will be appointed on the staff of Gen,
Lee. While it has been reported from
time to time that these appointments
would be made, it was not until Satur-
day that positive information confirm
atory of the rumor was obtained.
May Attack Our Coast Cities-
WASHINGTON, Nay lit is believed
to be the plan of Adm. Cervera to keep
out of the way of the battleships and
turn his entire attention to the cruis-
ers and gunboats. This he can per-
haps do by reason of his superior
speed. Coast cities may be attacked
in pursuance of this plan