Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-05-14

iards and forcing the fight which is be-
leved to be necessary to the success of
the Cuban campaign as now planned.
Some one suggested at the navy de-
partuent that the Spanish fleet when
last heard from was at point not very
much more distant from the great
cities of the Atlantic coast than Ha-
vana. but if the Spanish admiral con-
| TEMPLATES movement in the former di-
rection he probably will run full into
Schley. who will have his scouts we'll
| out in advance when he moves south
ward
| Much regret is expressed among ma
val officials at the delays experienced
has not been learned yet at the navy
department whether the admiral has
actually received up to this moment
the important advices as to the move
ments of Spanish fleet that have been
I DISPATCHED to him Doubt on this score
is founded on the experience the de
partment has had already with the
cables received. today. from the West
Indies.
1t was stated positively at the close
of office hours that no word had come
during the day from Admiral Sampson
save the one telegram sent out, this
morning, regarding the attack on the
forts al san Juan.
1t can be stated that there is good
grounds for the belief that the admiral
has achieved all that was expected of
him or that was necessary to carry out
the plans of the strategy board. The
purpose was to destroy san Juan as a
Dor of refuge for the Spanish fleet and
according to the admiral's report this
has been practically accomplished.
1t was neither necessary nor ma
terial that San Juan itself be occupied
all that was essential being that the
Spanish fleet should find no protection
there than it would in any harbor With
cut substantial defences and if the
living squadron should have the temer-
ity now to enter san Juan harbor. its
: vessels will fall easy victims to Samp-
] sons battleships and monitors.
inc.
after the vessel had been nearly de
stroyei battling for the United States
: the government should finally accept tn
torpedo boat Winslow. but that is wha
took place. The boat has never had he
final trial and it is not to be suppose
that the department viii insist upon
under existing conditions.
= Word came to the department durini
/ the afternoon that the injuries sustaine
It by the Winslow were Of such d natur
: that they could be repaired at the Re
= West naval station, and from this, al
q though no details We're given. the de
partment officials inferred that the dam
age was not extensive.
Capt. ONeil chief Of the bureau O
ordnance. was with Secretary Long sev
eral times during the day, giving him in
Or formation as to the amount of ammun
ton Admiral Sampson has on board.
Of 1t is the opinion of the bureau official
is that the bombardment of San Juan di
ia not materially deplete SIMPSONS stoc
of powder, shot and shells. There is n
m doubt, however that it made consider
he able inroad upon it, as it is said that
&c continuous fire for the three hours tha
t. the ships were in action would have con
n pietely exhausted the entire stock.
There is no possibility. however
V such a continuous fire, and the officia
D. feel satisfied that Sampson has at lea.
half his ammunition and perhaps MOI
still on board
! Every ship in his fleet was stocked
" its fullest capacity with powder, shot an
shell. The division which shelled Sa
to Juan had 60 rounds of the large-size pr,
m jectiles for the Y and l3-!nch guns ar
an about 800 rounds for the and 6-ne
az guns.
iyi In case the fleet should require add
tional ammunition, it would have to-