The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-05-16
Navy Department I'm Communication
with the Admiral, bat the In
structiOns Given Kept Secret.
MANY UNCoNFIRMED RUMoRS
CAPTURE OF YALE REPORTED, BUT
THE STORY DIsCREDITED.
Commodore SchIey's Squadron Hurry
ing Southwark After Reporting
at Charleston for Orders.

WASHINGTON, May 15.-In the naval
situation certainty ends quickly and limit
less speculation begins. The known may be
compressed in the single fact that a fast
and formidable squadron OF Spanish fighting
ships is at large in the Caribbean sea on
mischief bent The plan of the Spanish
campaign is inscrutable. Up to last night
the Washington strategists were divided as
to whether it was the Spanish purpose to
make a mad rush against Admiral Samp-
vanaward, destroy the mosquito blockading
fleet and then take a whirl at Commodore
Schley's flying squadron" The sighting of
the Spanards off the Venezuelan coast has
given the strategists another guess. The
new development has turned their thoughts
in another direction. Now they guess they
don't know what the enemy is thinking
about doing, but wouldn't be surprised at
anything. They wouldn't be surprised, for
instance, If the Spaniards were to turn up
next at Galveston, Tex, and blow it off
the face of the earth, or exact tremendous
ransom from the arrogant old town, and
then steal past Key West and ravage the
Atlantic coast. The Spanish can keep ahead
of our ships in a long distance race as long
as they feel like it. Or the enemy may con-
clude to play game of hide and seek in
the southern waters and keep us guessing
indefinitely. Theoretically they cannot do
this because of inability to obtain. coal.
Practically they can get all the coal thew
want by making advance arrangements for
1t. All they need is money and Iong-headed
management.
An Associated Press dispatch saws: sec-
retary Long was at the Navy Department
several times during the day. He author
lied the publication of the statement that
the torpedo boat Terror. belonging to the
Spanish fleet, was disabled at Port of
France, Martinique. The dispatch is as fol-
lows: Spanish torpedo boat Terror dis
abled at Port of France. Martinique" There
was disposition among some of those who
saw this statement to regard it with sus-
picion, suggesting that the report of dis
ability was intended simply as blind, and
that the Spanish government had caused It
to be spread so that no complaint could be
made to France on account of the stay Of
the boat at neutral port. None of the
officials. however, would express them
selves on the subject.
Secretary Long also made public a mess
age which had been received from Kew
West telling of the departure of the United
States vessel Uncas. in command of CAPTAIN
Brainard. She is bound for some point in
Cuba with view to securing the release Of
two American prisoners under a flag of
truce in exchange for Spanish prisoners
held by this government. The statement
given out by the secretary on the subject
was as follows: 1.-THE United States steam
er Uncas left Key West shortly before mid
night last night with instructions to send a
prisoners"
Several cahlegrams were received at the
Navy Department this morning from COM
manders of fleets, and others were sent in
reply. 1t was stated that the government
is now in communication with the several
squadrons, and developments of more or less
Importance are looked for in the near
future. In consequence of the publication
Of important naval movements an order has
been issued by Secretary Long directing
that all matters concerning naval move
ments be withheld from the press except
such as he himself may see fit to announce.
The President attended church this morn
ing and afterwards had q short conference
with Secretary Long. Earlier in the day
secretary Day called for few moments
Latest reports tonight indicate that Ad-
nliral Sampson passed Cape Haitien to-day
and that the Spanish fleet was still at
Curacco. Many rumors concerning the cap
ture of ships and alleged battles were dis
credited and some pronounced pure fakes.
The Wounded Doing Well.
Copyright. 1898. by the Associated Press)
PIJERTO PLATA Santo Domfnoo Mav