The age-herald., 1898-05-30
SPANISH ACCOUNT
 OF NAVAL BATTLE Alleged e"lTe Taken Place Between
 s'pSon and CsrTsra. TM s3F OUR VESSELS SUNK fc.S So Badly Damaged That They $ Withdrew From the Fight. ONE SPANISH SHIP DISABLED 
ONE SPANISH SHIP DISABLED
Commenting on the Rumor of sampson's Death, Minister of Marine Said Ii Was Within the Range of Possibilities
 Many Conflicting Stories.

Madrid, May 29.-7 D. m-El Prcgresso publishes dispatches purporting to come rom Paris gving details of an alleged bat tie near Jamaica in which 1t Is said two Ameiiean warshcips were destroyed and one spanish warship was injured Although the account is very c.rcum- stantia1 as to time, place, incidents and re- suits, it is received here with suspici n. The story is that Commodore Schley's squadron parted from Real Admiral Samp- sons off Cape Maysi the eastern pont of Cuba, steered toward the Yucatan passage, followed closely by Sampsons ships Both Were sighted from the watch towers of Santiago de Cuba.
 Rear Admiral Sampson arrived off the province of Puerto Principe, continuing thence in the direction of Jamaca. Ad- ,ral cervera left Santiago Thursday, May 26 at midnight all his lights being extin- guished, with the vizcaya and the Alm'r- | ante oquendo. preceded by the torpedo | boat destroyer Furor. He took up posi- 1 tion in proximity to Jamaica. Two hours l later the remainder of Admiral Ceivera's squadron withdrew from the harbor of Santiago and proceeded in southeily dis rection. | ACCEPTED BATTLE. On the morning of Friday the Furor came up rapidly to the yizcaya and the Amir ante Oquendo, advising Admiral Cervera of the approach of the enemy. Rear Ad- miral sampson's ships steamed at full speed toward the Spanish, vessels which accepted combat but moved In a southerly direction to effect juncture with the re- mainder of the Spanish squadron. Pres hat ffria1la1v op hnth sides. The Americans detached three cruisers and three smaller ships to sur round the vizcaya and the Almirante Oquendo The Furor between the cross fire of the enemy made for the American flag notwithstanding the fire of the heavy guns. The outcome of the contest was that two American warships were sunk and one Spanish ship disabled in its steering gear.
 The remaining vessels of the American squadron were so much damaged that they were compelled to take refuge In Haytien waters
 It is reported that the Cristobal Colon captured one American ship which had been disabled from a shot by the Vizcaya that perforated her side. The yizcaya risked destruction from an American de-
 
 bat the spaniards sailed for Havana or if the condition of the vessels or the presence of a superior force of enemy required took refuge at Cardenas or Matanzas.
 CONFLICTING REPORTS
 The publication of this dispatch from Paris caused an excited discussion of the conflicting reports from various sources, which completely absorbed all sections of the press and all circles of the public in Madrid. Speaking today of yesterdays rumors of the defeat of the Americans and the death of Rear Admiral Sampson, aptain Aunon, the minister of marine with out crediting it in the absence of official confirmation, remarked that the event was nearly within the limits of possibility. It is hoped that the result of today's cabinet council will disclose information confirming or denying the report.