The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1898-05-25

from Kingston, Jamaica, was confirmed by
an alleged despatch via Madrid announcing
tnat Admiral Cervers had cabled the min
lister OF marine the following:
SANTIAGO, 19.-This morning have,
without incident, entered this port accom-
panied by the squadron. CERvERA."
Credence was given to this intelligence at
the naval department at Washington, but
its trustworthiness has been subject to the
discount on all news via Madrid. Later this
squadron was reported again at Martinique,
and that two of the cruisers had gone lame.
This squadron is as Elusive as the Irish
mans flea. The relative position OF Ad-
miral SIMPSONS ships is only matter OF
conjecture.
On Sunday rumors were published of a
naval engagement off the island OF Hayti
in which twelve Spanish vessels were sunk
and two American ships disabled The re-
port bore all the ear marks OF fake;
nevertheless, many were deceived thereby,
and, eked out by scare head lines, the Sun
day dailies sold on the strength Of the de.
ception.
On Sunday the cruiser Charleston finally
sailed from San Francisco, the vanguard of
aid and reinforcements for Admiral Dewey.
The Charleston is a protected cruiser OF
1910 tons displacement.a speed Of 1872 knots
an hour, armament, two 8-inch, six 6.inch
rifles, four 6-pounder, two 3-pounder, two
1-pounder rapid fire guns, and some minor
arms. A week will bring the ship to Homo
lulu, and three weeks more to Manila. She
takes out naval officers and Iseamen to man
kt,A G.1aw .srl, II.
of Manila.
The coast defender, Monterey. 4,084 tons,
has been ordered to Manila. In her arma-
ment are two 12-inch and two 1O-inch rifles,
with rapid fire and Calling guns. The
Monterey is slow In speed, and OF limited
coal capacity. The vessel will have to be
towed the greater part Of the distance and
fifty days after her departure from San
Francisco, it is stated, barring delays, is her
estimated time for the voyage. But the
later reports state that she will not be ready
to start for several weeks.
Some IL, 900 troops, 5000 Of whom are regu-
lars, are rendezvouing at San Francisco, o
depart for the Philippines General Merritt,
assigned to this command, is enroute to
San Francisco. The big ship, City of
Picking, is loading with supplies and troops
destined for the Philippine, and is daily ex-
pected to sail. Other vessels have been
chartered and General Merritt is expected
to 60 with the second detachment.
A cable dispatch was received at New
York from London last evening, stating
that an unconfirmed rumor comes from ia
maica that SIMPSONS squadron has de-
molished the Spanish feet but lost the
cruiser New York and bsttleship Iowa with
800 men.
The navy department at Washington is
sued bulletin saying that there was no
reason to believe this battle had occurred.
: The st. Louis cut the cables between
Santiago and San Juan.
The transports City Of Picking and City
of Sidney left San Francisco yesterday for
Honolulu.
The following bulletin was received from
Admiral Dewey last evening, sent from
Hong Kong: 1.-THE situation is unchanged.
A strict blockade is continued. Great
scarcity Of provisions prevails at Manila.
Foreign subjects there fear an outbreak by
Spanish soldiers. Arrangements have been
made for them to be transported to Cavits
by foreign men Of war If necessary. Agui-
naldo, the rebel commander-n-chief who
was brought by Mccullough, is organizing
forces at Cavits and may render assistance
that will be valuable"