The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-06-04

At last we know with some certainty
what Is the position Of the respective
fleets. Admiral Cervera Is locked up in
Santiago harb0r, where he Is awaited
on the outside by both Simpsons and
schley's squadrons. The men on our
ships have had a good lesson. They
may not have needed it. but 1t can do
no harm. II has been very strikingly
demonstrated that vigilance is as ef-
fective as bravery in the kind of war
fare being wagad In the Caribbean sea.
The officers night glass was as good as
gun in defeating the Spanish torpedo
boats. The desperate condition Of the
Spanish commander will be an incen-
tive to do everything in his power to at
least make a record IL he cannot escape.
When the conflict takes place, If Ger
vera can ever be induced to come out
Of the harbor. it viii be as vicious as
eespairing men can make 1t.
II Sampson cGn silence the outer for
tifications of Santiago harbor, he may
then be able To reach those along the
side of the channel He would still be
in danger of the mines in the channel,
but If the insurgents can follow up the
advantage by capturing the forts they
may be able to ascertain where the
wires are located and cut them SO
making Ii safe for the American fleet
to enter so far as that is concerned
But even under those favorable con-
ditions. 1t would still be a very hazard
Gus thing to enter the harbor. Our
vessels must so in single file, and as
each energies from the narrow passage
into the open harbor ii would be the
mark for every gun that could reach it
from all sides. Even Spanish marks
men could not fail TO hit the vessels.
because they have had plenty of oppor-
tuniiy TO train themselves TO the utmost
accuracy Of aim. since the point of
emergence Is so clearly defined and
within such narrow limits. Our vessels
going into the harbor would run pre-
cisely the same risks that the Spanish
warships would coming out into the
open sea. Then. too. 1t would be i'm
possible 10 reach the batteries at the
Inner end of the channel. because II is
so narrow that guns could not be
trained upon them.
1t Will probably be necessary to con-
centrate land forces around Santiago.
cutting off supplies by land. while our
ships perform like office at sea. The
people Will, unfortunately. have TO suf-
fer. but humanity may give them an
opportunity to leave the city. provided
they take with them all the provisions
they could secure and carry, which they
would no doubt be very willing 10 do.
1t would take long time to starve out
the men on board the warships, but
meantime the snbjugation Of Cuba
could go on and peace might be declared
before the Spanish fleet knew Of II. The
surrender Of the warships might be
made one Of the conditions Of peace.
Tho admiral could disregard an order
from his own government to that effect
by blowing up his vessels. but that
would mean certain death. and even
brave men do not sacrifice their own
lives ana the HIVES Y those under them
when nothing Ia II be gained bv Il.
Peace having been declared. his honor
| would not suffer by his obedience to an
| order from his government. It ia pretty
certain that he viii never come out IL
| he can help Il.