The Atlanta constitution., 1898-05-16
THE SPANISH FLEET
IS OFF VENEZUELA
Admiral Is Anxious to Have
Cable Communication
With Home.
HE HAS ELUDED SAMPSON
Navy Department Is Now Guarding
the Whereabouts of Both Schley
and Sampson with Greatest
Care and Is Watching
Spanish Fleet.

Washington, May 14,-Defnite official IN
formation reached the authorities here late
this afternoon that the Spanish squadron
has been sighted off the island OF Curacao
one Of the Dutch West Indies lying off the
north coast of Venezuela.
This information was regarded as Of
vital Importance, as it not only fixed
the position of the enemy, but dis
closed the purpose of the Spanish ad-
miral to elude Admiral SIMPSONS
fleet and make his way through the
Caribbean sea, probably to Cuba.
The island of Curacao was originally
snanisb and is people mainly by descend
ants of Spaniards. though it is now one
of the Dutch possessions. Ihe opaih'h
admrals course was also inlluenced pS
the fact that the French cable. ftartlhS
from Caracas, Venezuela. touches at the
island of Curacao, then proceeds northWard
through the Caribbean to Hayti with spurs
running east and west to Porto l1co anu
Cuba respectively. He IS thus enabieo 10
get in touch from Curacao with the span
ish authorities in Cuba and Porto iico'
and through them directly WIN the Span
iSh admiral at Madrid
No immediate battle with Admiral
SIMPSONS fleet is now expected as
the Spaniards, it seems likely, nave
succeeded in passing south Oh the
American fleet and are now well TO
the westward of 1T.
AS the enemy is In reach or the cap'e'
the navy department regards II as Vi '''0
r,oet vial concern that the exact where
abouts of the American ships should not
hn made known during the next few days
rh,s far they have felt Handicapped by
tha fact that the Spanish admiral knew
the wherea bouts of the American shlpS'
while we were in a state OF DOUBT us |"
tho location of his ships. The oihclals mere
regard it as "cscntill during the next if"
davs to reverse this condition. 50 that the
Spanish admiral viii be moving IN th'
1Irk while our officers will be posted as TO
his movements through the Caribbean,
The department doubtless is Informed as
"a tho whereabouts OF Admiral SIMPSONS 5
squadron. but it does not see fit to give any
information on the subject. and the same
rigid silence prevails as to the Whereabouts
and destination of Coumodorc Schleys $
nyln& squadron. W'o game hT5 reached
such a. critical stage that prematur" pub
m!ght cause inestimable loss and failure OF
present plans.
Oregon's Safety Assured.
In one respect the nancuVcr of the
Spanish fleet Is 4 relief to naval officials
here as it seems to assure the safety Of
tho battIcshiD Oregon. She is proceeding
from the north coast of South America to
iojn Samps0n's fleet and is somewhere III
the nefghborhood Of Martinique. Had the
Spanish squadron remained at that point
there would have been serious danger that
the oregon would be intercepted Now,
however she IS well out OF the way of the
Spanards so long as she follows the usual
routes.
If is not to he supposed that the navy
dCUartmcnt with a knowledge Of the
whereabouts of the Spanish feet, is going
to allow any of its hard worked little cru.s-
crs and gunboats engaged in blockade duty
on the Cuban coast to fan victims TO the
huge Spanish irOn|lads. Their commanders
will he promptly advised of the approach
OF the Spaniards, ana it may be set down
as sure that unless the department is sat
isfcd that Sampson or Schiey can head off
and crush the Spaniards the American
blockade vessels will be given permission
to take care of themselves and get out of
harms way.
Will Cut Off Communication.
The determined attack made by the Mar
blohoud and other vessels on the ocean
cables running seaWard from Cienfuegos
shows that the government finds it noCes-
sary 10 cut off all communication between
Captain General BlanCo and Spain by cable.
That the effort was not wholly successful
was owing to the appearance of n supe-
riOr force Of infantry aided by machine
guns which appear to have taken the
American hn