Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1898-05-25

the News. from Washington, D. c.,
says: Puerto Rico is to be taken. The
President has decided that Sampson
shall Immediately move on that island.
while Schley guards Cervera. At least
10000 troops will be sent. Another
army is to enter Cuba at once.
From Cabinet officer it is learned
that the haste in ordering troops and
ships to Puerte Rico is owing to the
fact that the President has learned the
powers are preparing to ask If Spain
may be permitted to withdraw from
Cuba, and allow peace to bs declared.
This intimstien came direct from
Europe. The President wants to be
able to say "Yes. Spain may withdraw.
That is why we made war; but we will
hold Puerto Rico and the Philippines. !"
Without dissenting voice the Cab
met decided that the greatest possible
haste should be made in the invasion.
WILL FLY NO MORE.
NEW YORK. May 25.-A special to
the Herald, from Washington, says:
SPANS Flying Squadron will fly no
longer. Its race is run. Cooped up in
the hsrbor of Santiago de Cuba, its
destruction or capture is considered by
officials here merely matter of time |
Before tho harbor are the armor- clads
Of the American Navy, ready to give
battle to Admiral Csrvera's men ofswar
the moment they psks their noses out
of the channel leading to the sea.
Official advicss announcing these to
be the positions of the opposing fleets.
were received at the Navy Department
last night, from the Commander in
Chief OF the American force operating
In front of the harbor. These advices
enatlsd the authorities to deny en-
phatically the report that an action had
occurred in the windward passage.
NO DETAILS.
PORT AU PRINCE, Hayti, May 25.-
The report of tho arrival of the Span
ish Cape Verde feet at Santiago de
Cuba, is correct; but it has been i'm
possible to obtain any details.
soHLEY TO WATCH THEM.
WASHINGTON, May 25.-At 9:45
Secretary Long said no word had been
received regarding the bottling up of
the Spanish feet in Santiago. Yet he
says he fully credits the press dis
patches, and has reason to believe that
Admiral Cervera is cooped up in
Santiago with Schley outside.
WHAT GOVERNMENT SAYS.
WASHINGTON, May 25. - TIL ere
seems no longer any doubt that the
Spanish feet is in Santiago harbor,
Is hemmed in by Commodore Schley's
squadron, and that escape is almost, il
not quite, impossible. Members of the
cabinet are not willing to state the
exact position Of SIMPSONS fleet, but
do say it is acting in concert with
Schiey, ,and.can 60 to his relief at any
time.
The published report that another
and more formidable feet is en- route
from Cadiz to the relief of the i'm
prisoned squadron, is not credited by
members of the Administration, but
should this prove to be fact, the
move would be welcomed,
rs 1t would certainly re-
suit, it is said. in the destruction of
two Spanish fleets instead OF one.
Captain Clark, in his message to the
Secretary of the Navy says that the
Oregon is in condition for immediate
active operations at the front.
IF THEY ARE THERE.
KEY WEST, Fla, May 25.-Commo-
dore Schley and Rear Admiral Samp.
sen are believed to have Admiral
Ceryera within reach, and if the Span
iards are in the Santiago harbor,
they can be blockaded and starved out.
A single heavy American vessel can
hold the harbor's narrow exit. through
which the Spaniards could emerge
only singly.
MUST sTARvE THEM OUT.
WASHINGTON, May z5.- Navy de-
partment officials, accepting the view
that Cervera is in Santiago harbor, are
of the opinion that he likely will re-
main there weeks or months. Study
of the defenses of the harbor and of the
typographical features, have convinced
experts that to undertake to carry the
place BY storm from sea, and to attack
the feet under protection of the forts
would involve great loss of life on
our part, and be entirely unwarranted
give the Spanish squadron three
months lease Of fife, il they are In San
tiago haIbor, said prominent nava
officer. He explained that long befor'
that time the town, which probably viii
be cut of entirely BY the Insurgent