Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1898-05-18
HUNTING The SPANIARDS.
Whereabouts of the Hostile Fleets on
Monday.

Whereabouts of the Hostile Fleets on
Monday.
In the first article, on the first page
of this issue, is given the relative posi-
sions of the fleets of Sampson, Schley
and the Spanish Admiral Cervera, as
understood from the kilograms pub
lished in the papers of Sunday and
Monday. The kilograms of Tuesday
morning do not indicate any materal
change in the situation. Let those
who have preserved THE ENQUIRER
of April 20, take a look at the map
published therein. According to pub
lished statements, Admiral Cervera
was, on Saturday, just 600 miles due
south of Sampson. Sampson was on
guard at the Windward passage be-
tween Hayti and Cuba, and had scout
ships watching the Mona passage be-
tween Santo Domingo and Porto Rico.
The only Cuban ports that Cervera
could reasonably hope to reach with
out encountering Sampson, were Cien-
fuegos and Havana. To reach Hava-
ma, he would have to sail around the
western end Of the island and come in
from the north. 1t is calculated that
such an attempt will be frustrated by
Schley. Cervera may reach Cienfuegos
in safety; but then he will soon be
between Sampson and Schley. There
are places where the Spaniards may
dodge into the Gulf of Mexico, and
they may 60 up and strike some of the
cities on the gulf. Of this, however,
there does not seem to be much fear.
The situation, as officially described in
the Associated Press dispatches, pub
lished Tuesday morning, is as follows ::
WASHINGTON, May 16.-It is said
at the navy department that Admiral
Sampson reported to the navy depart
ment today by cable from Cape Hay
tien. 1t is stated that Admiral Samp-
son, by reason of information just re-
ceived by him, has changed his plans
of operations, and instead of going to
Key West, has directed his vessels to-
ward Cienfuegos, where he is expected
to arrive within the next day or two.
The Spanish fleet, last seen at Cara
Gao, is presumed to be speeding rapidly
towards Cienfuegos, and this places
Sampson in chase.
The navy department takes with
great allowance the report that the
Spanish strategsts have succeeded in
sending a second squadron, under Ad-
miral Villamil, to the West Indies, and
that it is also off Martinique. Even if
the alleged information did not bear
the suspicious earmark of a Madrid
date, the department would not be
surprised to hear that Admiral Villa
mil, as we'll as Admiral Cervera, was
with the Spanish force in the Carri-
bean sea.
The fact that the report came from
Madrid satisfies the officials here that
this is another Spanish ruse to center
our attention on Martinique while their
ships have passed westward.
The report has it that Admiral Viii
lamil has with him the cruisers Cisne-
ros, Catalina and Princess de Asturias.
1t is known, however, that Villamil is
not the admiral of these ships, and
that at least one of them, the Cisneros,
is on the other side of the water.
1t is also known that Admiral Villa.
mil has arrived with his fleet at Marti-
nique, but this is merely the torpedo
adjunct to the main feet and was re-
ported when the first fleet made its
appearance.
The fact that the alleged report of
the second squadron passed Madrid
censor indicates the desire of the Span
ish authorities to spread abroad this
misleading information.
Its purpose, it is believed, is to in
duce Admiral Sampson to remain with
his fleet at or near Martinique, in
quest of the shadowy second squadron,
so as to take him away from the pur-
suit of Admiral Cervera and the actual
Spanish game already in sight.
1t is officially announced at the navy
department that the United States tor
pedo boat Porter returned to Cape
Haytien this morning, having left
Rear Admiral SIMPSONS fleet in the
offing. Lieutenant Bennett conferred
with the United States consul at Cape
Haytien and filed dispatches from the
rear admiral.
the rendezvous of the fleet has been
north of Cape Haytien.
The Porter left the Cape Haytien at
10 o'clock to rejoin the fleet.
While going to Cape Haytien yes
terday the Porter scraped reef but
sustained no damage.
The store ship Supply was expected
to wait the Minneapolis at Cape Hay
tien, and her departure from there is
said to he due TO a mistake, which
will probably be recalled by the Por-
ter's return.
H.