Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1898-05-27
SIMPSONS REPORT
San Juan de Porto Rico Attacked to
Develop Strength Of Batteris
in Harbor.
PLANS IN TENTATIVE STATE
Contemplated Movement Against Cuba
or Porto Rico Will Be Held in Abey-
anoe Until Spanish Fleet is
Destroyed.

Washington, May 27.-The following
bulletin was posted at the Navy depart
ment today: The following is a copy o
the report made by Rear Admiral Samp
son, concerning the action at San Jual
de Porto Rico:
Upon approaching San Juan it wa!
seen that none of the Spanish vessel.
were in the harbor. / was, therefore
considerably In doubt whether they haC
reached San Juan and again departed
for some unknown destination, or had
not arrived. As their capture was the
object of the expedition, and as it was
essential they should not pass to the
westward, 1 determined to attack the
batteries defending the port, in order
to develop their positions and strength,
and then, without waiting to reduce the
city or subject 1t to a regular lombard
ment-which would require due notice
Return to the westward. | commenced
the attack so soon as 1t was good day
light. This lasted about three hours,
when the signal was made to discon-
tinue firing, and the squadron sailed to
the northeast until outside of San Juan,
when the course was laid to the west
ward, with the view of communicating
with the department at Port Plata, and
learn if the department had obtained
information of the movements of the
| Spanish vessels.
At Cape HaytieI l received word from
the department that the Spanish ves-
sells had been sighted off Curacao on the
10th instant. As stated in my telegram,
no serious injury was done any Of the
ships and only one man was killed and
seven wounded slightly.
Military Plans in Tentative State.
When Secretary Long started for the
cabinet meeting today, he was without
information in addition to that possessed
yesterday, as to the movement of the
feet in the West Indies. The secretary
stated that he had not received any
message from Commodore Schley. 1t
may be stated upon the best authority
that it has not yet been finally decided
when to begin the Cuban invasion, and.
so far as Porto Rico is concerned,
whether to attempt its occupation at all
or not. In other words, the plans are
In a tentative state, subject to altera-
ttons at any moment.
w NAOSoLAenG Untu SpanlBn E1e6t Is de.
stroyed.
After the cabinet meeting today It was
authoritatively stated that although the
government had, no official information
on the subject there was no reasonable
doubt that Admiral Cervera's fleet was
In the Santiago de Cuba harbor, aud
Commodore Schley on guard at the en-
trance. 1t was also stated that any
contemplated movement against Cuba or
Porto Rico would be held in allegiance
until the Spanish fleet was either de-
strOyed or otherwise rendered harmless
to seriously interfere with our plans in
any direction.
Protection for Submarine Mines.
Tho Navy department is making ready
for the purchase of small steam crafts to
supplant the mosquito fleets on the
coast. They are needed badly for the
protection of elaborate mine fields laid
in almost all the Atlantic ports. The |
reckless conduct of commanders of ves-
sells entering and emerging from these
ports has determined the authorities to
deal summarily hereafter with all per-
sons who disregard the repeated warm
ings.