The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-05-26
CANNOT ESCAPE,


safety. Commodore SchIey's catching up
with Cervera's fleet was a source for much
Congratulation, for in the conferences that
took place in the White House there was a
feeling that it brought the end of the war
much nearer. Asked as to the possibility of
a ruse of some sort arising from Admiral
CerVera's deliberately entering the harbor
under the circumstances, Secretary Long
said the purpose of the Spaniards could be
only conjectured. but that it might be they
went into Santiago for coaling. While re-
framing from discussing specifically the
of Admiral SIMPSONS fleet, now asserted
to be in the neighborhood of Havana, to
Santiago, Secretary Long had no hesitation
in saying Commodore Schley coul0 nave
whatever aid he wanted.
Members of the Cabinet were exultant
over to-days news and although they were
their informal ton they regarded 1T as per
fectly trustworthy. They were not willing
to state the exact position Of Simpsons
fleet, but did say that it is acting in con-
cert with Schley and come to his relief
at any time should the situation require IT.
The published report that another and more
the relief of the imprisoned squadron is
not credited by the members of the army
and navy, but should this prove to be the
fact the move would be welcomed by our
naval authorities, as 1t would result, 1t is
said in the destruction of two fleets instead
of one. 1t is authoritatively stated that the
situation of the Santiago harbor is such
that our GunboatS, which are available for
the purpose, could successfully prevent the
escape OF the spanards, thus relieving
considerable part of both SIMPSONS and
Schley's fleets for operations elsewhere
Members of the administration regard the
present situation as most favorable for our
cause and do not doubt that in a very short
time the Spanish fleet will be utterly de-
stroyed, and active operations begun
against Havana and Cuba by both our mill
tarv and naval forces.
The reason the Navy Department believes
Admiral Cervera is at Santiago, SO far as
can be gathered, is that the Spanish squad
from
was in that harbor and it has not been
seen anywhere else in spite of the fact
that the scouting vessels of the navy fairly
swarm in the West Indian waters, and that
the United States consuls on every island
are on the alert to watch and report the
movements of the Spanish fleet. The de-
partment officials, accepting the view that
Cervera is in Santiago harbor, are of opinion
that he is likely to remain there for long
time, weeks and months perhaps. A study
of the defense of the harbor and topo-
graphical feature has convinced the experts
storm from sea and to attack the fleet while
it is under the protection of the forts would
involve so great loss of life on our part
as to be entirely unwarranted under the ex-
listing conditions. The harbor is known to
be mined and these mines are so we'll pro-
tected by jGdieiously placed shore batteries
that the usual methods of countermining
could be practiced only with the utmost
peril to the sailors of our fleet, Moro Cas-
tie, one of the principal defenses of the
harbor, is perched upon a very high ele-
walton. It's guns, if served with any thing
like fair gunnery, could rain most de-
structive fire down upon our ships and not
even the battle ships and monitors are de-
signed to resist plunging fire of this kind.
On the other hand, it is extremely difficult
for guns mounted on shipboard to be suffi-
GENTLY elevated to throw projectiles with
any effect against a modern forti1cation on
q bluff or HILL That is lesson learned at
San Juan de Porto Rico and the fleet there
had the advantage of lying off at long range
which it will not possess in the attack on
OF course, the place could be taken by as
sault, but, as already stated, the officials
do not believe the present conditions war
rant such an expensive undertaking. The
effort, therefore, probably will be made to
keep Cervera inside Santiago harbor until
starvation causes the surrender Of the Span
tSh squadron and the forts of Santiago.
That this can be done Is not doubted by
naval experts, as the narrow channel con-
Meeting the inner harbor with the sea, re-
curing any Spanish ships to emerge singly.
would expose them to almost certain de-
struction at the hands of a couple of ar
entrance OF course, there is always the
danger of these watch dogs being them
selves attacked and destroyed by some Of
the torpedo gunboat destroyers attached to
Cervera's squadron. provided their com
manders are desperate enough to face the
tremendous primary and secondary bat
teries of the American ships. There Is also
some risk of an attack the blockading
vessels from without.
The news has reached the Navy Depart
ment to-day that the Spanish torpedo gun
boat Terror had cleared out of the hai;bOr
of Port de France after taking coal from
the Alicante
Il give the Spanish squadron three
months lease of life if they are in Santiago
harbor." said a prominent naval officer this
morning. He explained that he based this
calculation on the length of time that the
supplies of the fleet would hold out. Long
before that time expires the town of San
tiago, which probably will be cut off by the
insurgents and perhaps by United States
troops: will be practically starved out. but
following the Spanish practice elsewhere
Havana and Manila, for instance the mill
tary and naval forces, approprating all the
food supplies would hold out longer. The
long wait involved in this calculation, the
officer explained, would have a very sub
stantial compensation in the probable ac-
quirement by the United States of the
splendid vessels that go to make up the
Spanish squadron through their surrender
They represent in money value alone about
$15, 1000 and have an additional value to
thes United States at this juncture that can
not be expressed in figures.
1t is expected that the last cable connec-
ton between Cuba and Madrid will be cut
to-day.