The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1898-05-07

One Report Says sampson Has sailed
to Capture Puerto Rico-Another
Gives Natanxas as the Goal.


New York, May SIN a roundabout
way il Is learned that Rear Admiral
SIMPSONS fleet has already been divid-
ed, that a part OF IL has sailed for Key
West, probably for Puerto Rico, and
that the other division, consisting of
the smaller craft, has been left behind
to maintain the blockade of Cuba.
The Spanish fleet coming west con-
sists of four cruisers, two torpedo boat
destroyers and three torpedo boats.
The plan of the American campaign is
TO have the naval depot at Puerto Rico,
the coal station and the Notifications
either destroyed or occupied by our
men before the Spanish feet arrives. II
is designed 10 have the ships leave here
one by one and then meet at some given
point at sea. After destroying the base
OF supplies the American fotilla will
then put TO sea and try TO engage the
Spanish fleet, which by that time ought
TO be in the vicinity of Puerto Rico.
Washington, May 5. = II was said at
the navy department Wednesday morn
ing that several cruisers had been sent
TO meet the Oregon, Marietta and Mic
theroy, as il is understood that the Cape
Verde feet will begin its desperate cam
paign by attempting the capture of
those ships. This may locate the
scene OF the next naval battle below the
West Indies, off South America.
Key West, Fla, May 5.--The vessels
comprising Admiral SIMPSONS feet
have sailed for Matanzas. Every effort
has been made TO keep their destination
q secret, but 1t leaked out. This is the
first move in the invasion Of Cuba. Ad-
miral SIMPSONS orders are to lombard
Matanzas, 10 raze the Notifications, and
TO seize and hold the city so that IL can
be used as a landing place for American
troops. These will be loaded on trans
ports that are now lying at Tampa.
The minute Admiral Sampson reports
that he is in possession of the city they
will be hurried TO Cuban soil as fast as
steam can carry them. Gen. Maxine
Gomez Is now close 10 Matanzas, and the
moment the troops land he will open
communication with them. Arms, am
munition, and food will be furnished
him for all the men he can raise, and an
active campaign against the Spanish
army In Havana will be at once begun
and pushed with vigor until that city is
taken.
Tampa, Fla, May St appears TO be
almost a settled belief among army Of
ficers here that no movement of United
States troops toward Cuba will take
place until after the meeting OF the
Spanish fotilla with Rear Admiral
SIMPSONS squadron, which Is now be-
lieyed to be inevitable. Nevertheless
everything possible is being done TO
put the United States troops in reudi-
ness for immediate shipment.
New York, May "a special to the
Press from Key West says: Cienfue-
gos has been bombarded. Not only did
the Marblehead silence the batteries Of
the town on the afternoon OF April 90,
but shelled the town itself, playing
havoc with the buildings and driving
thousands of the inhabitants to the in
terror. The shooting at the forts was
at 1000 yards. As soon as the forts
were disabled Capt. McCalla ordered that
the five-inch guns be given an elevation
to reach the 5000 yards. Firing began
with the starboard batteries, followed
by the DorfS