The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-05-22
WHAT NEXT:
Csurmises MS tn what Spain Intends
To DO Now.

to DO NOW.
Especial Cable to The Post and New York
Herald. Copyright, 1898, by James Gordon
Bennett)
Paris, May 2l.-Although the news at
present is not sensational it is just the sort
to set all naval and military authorities
guessing The Spanish feet having ar
rive at Santiago de Cuba, the question
comes in, what next? Spain has hitherto
followed a cunning policy that has been
crowned with success. All sorts Of false
rumors have been set afloat. many of them
apparently emanating from Madrid. Later
events have led to the conclusion that these
reports were purposely circulated to throw
the Americans off their guard. Conse-
quently, it becomes a very important point
to consider what was Admiral Cerveras
motive in entering Santiago and what he
is going to do now that he has got there.
To the first question the satisfactory reply
is that he went there for the purpose of
cabling to his home government and OF
getting coal and provisions.
Naval authorities are not so unanimous
in their answer to the second question.
by isolated vessels upon American coasts
There seems every reason TO believe that
the reserve squadron will try to follow
Admiral Cervera's tactics. Every one
agrees that these tactics deserve unstinted
admiration.
Their incontrovertable success proves
how inadequate were the measures taken
by the strategical boards in Washington
to counterfeit them. 1t is possible then
that the reserve squadron may effect a
conjunction with Cervera's forces, which in
the meantime is quite safe from persecu-
tion' or may descend upon American coast
towns left undefended by the enforced stay
In tho Antilles of the fleet owing to the
necessity OF keeping Admiral Cervera's
forces shut up in Santiago bay.
One point all parties are agreed upon,
Ihat is that Admiral Cerveras squadron
shouid not again be lost sight of now that
1t has once been definitely located. This.
then, is the situation: Admiral Cerveras
has shown himself superior strategist to
AMERICAS strategy board he has succeeded
In entering, without difficulty, place Of
perfect safety. His presence immobilizes
'he plocAading squadron and the reserve
Meet now at Cadiz is left free to follow
out the line Of policy that seems best to
the Spanish naval authorities.
NO wonder news OF the arrival AT Santl-
ago of Sreins squadron was received with
enthusiasm all over Spain 1t does, indeed,
seem probable that the Spanards Will at
tempt to attack some coast towns. Just MS
the English did in 1872 The result would
be the same, namely the inflammation of
public feeling and consequent prclonga-
ton of the war.
The general and more authoritative opin-
ion is that Cervera has scored the first
blood IN very skillful strateglcal move.
He is safe in a harbor absolutely impreg-
nabe defended by four forts and so mar
TOW at the entrance that any attempt to
force 1t would be foolhardy in the extreme
He is thus master of the situation. While
he remains there the bockading fleet must
keep in the neighborhood. He thus renders
them useless should Spain decide to send
Naval experts here call attention to seror
Pole de Bernabe's remark about a heavy
blow being struck at America before The
war was over. The industry with which
the report that reserve squadron is to be
sent to Manila is being circulated by Mad
rid and other Spanish agencies arouscs sus-
picion IN the minds of those whose opinion
Is Of the greatest authority on account OF
Their eminent position as naval authorities
ana 'heis great experience, They dwell
with emphasis upon the skillfm way spsin
mas misled public opinion. as for EXAMPLE,
the famous dispatch announcing the return
to cadiz OF Cervera's squadron. At TIA
present moment Manila is in every ones
r.outh; the reserve squadron must be san,
70 Manila; forces and artillery mus, b.
sent to Manila; the Spanish navy must raj
vense their defeat in the Philipplpes-yet
military and naval authorities whisper Tia,