Evening star., 1898-05-25
Secretary Long Convinced That It is
in Santiago Harbor.
WILL Be KEPT THERE BY OUR SHIPS
No Longer to Be Counted as a
Factor.
INVAS SION TO PROCEED

u-et is at SantlagO Qe CuDa say tnat Sec
| retary Long and the Navy Department Off
cials generally firm in the convic-
| tion that Admiral Cervera's feet is bottled
| up at Santiago de Cuba that persons with
out definite information are not warranted
| In disputing the point. But whether this
| opinion of the department is to be relied
upon depends on the character OF the in
formation which the Secretary has. He
does not confess that any definite statement
has been received from either Commodore
Schley or Admiral Sampson, but indicates
| that his conviction that thu Spanish fleet is
| at Santiago de Cuba is based on a general
knowledge of the situation. If the DEPART
mentS information is simply of negative
character and based largely on inference,
| 1t is suggested that there is still possibil-
lty that the Spanish feet is not there. 1t
| must be appreciated, however. that Secre-
tary Long is not in the habit of announcing
an opinion in this positive way except on
very correct information The question is
pelng discussed pro and con, and there is
considerable speculation as to whether, if
the Spanish fleet is at Santiago the entire
Meet is there or has been divided; and also
as to the number and character of vessels
To Remain for Reinforcements.
One interesting question is whether the
fleet Was accompanied by a supply ship and
whether the purpose of entering the harbor
was tc land supplies, it being found impos-
sible to Land them elsewhere, or whether
the heet was compelled to seek refuge thsre
on account of the bad condition of some of
the vessels.
Many believe 1t was the intention of Ad-
| mlral Cervara to remain there until REIN
forcements arrived from Cadiz. For some
| time 1t has been felt extremely probable
that the Cadiz fleet was coming to Join
cervera. The maneuvers of the Spanish
| admiral have indicated that he was await
ing reinforcements, and it is believed that
the need of economizing his coal supply,
which he has found difficulty In replenish-
ing, necessitated his seeking a harbor of
refuge where he could enjoy comparative
| Immunity from attack until reinforcements,
accompanied by transports. should arrive to
join him. 1t required too great risk for
him to attempt to reach Cienfuegos, and h..
was therefore left to choose between Santi-
ago de Cuba and San Juan. Porto Rico
1t was believed by many authorities that
he would try to reach San Juan and If It
| is true that ne has not done this, but is
bottled up at Santiago, his taking this
course is regarded as an evidence that he
his vessels were not in condition to I'M
dertake dash to San Juan. The Spanish
fleet enjoys greater immunity from attack
at Santiago de Cuba than it would at San
Juan. but its remaining there puts an end
to Its operation and renders it extremely
difficult. If not impossible, for relief to be
got to it by any fleet which Spain could
organize.
No Longer a Factor.
The best authorities say that if Admiral
Cervera's fleet is at Santiago de Cuba IT
need no longer be counted as a factor in
the war. 1t may be the design of the
Spanish to send another fleet to attack
ours at that point while Admiral Cervera
makes an attack with the torpedo boat de-
stroyers under his command, thus attempt
ing to subject our fleet to danger on both
sides. But this could not be successfully
accomplished, as two vessels could pre-
vent any of Admiral Cervera's feet from
coming out of the harbor, and our fleet in
those waters is strong enough to destroy
any force that Spain could send against
them.
Invasion to Go On.
The plan of campaign being considered.
based on the assumption that Admiral
Cervera's entire fleet is at Santiago is TO
Keep 1t blockaded there and to proceed at
once with the invasion of Cuba. This pl IN
contemplates that soon as a sufficient
army is landed in Cuba to hold the Spanish
in check at every point and to warrant
aggressive operations, an attack by land
forces upon Santiago de Cuba, which it is
said could speedily be compelled to sur
render. The occupation of Santiago de
Cuba by our troops and the blockading of
the entrance to the harbor by our fleet
would leave the Spanish fleet utterly with
out support or escape and the Spanish
admiral would either have to surrender or
have his feet destroyed.
The same plan contemplates the bonn
bardment of Havara and general attack
upon the Spanish forces at all quarters
By following this plan of prompt and ag-
gressive action It is urged that before
another Spanish fleet could be got to Amer
ican waters we could bag" the Island of
Cuba and Admiral Cervera's fleet at the
same time.
Secretary Longs Statement
On leaving the White House early this
morning, Secretary Long, after a satisfac-
tory talk with President Mckinley, said
that he had reason to believe that he
Spanish feet is in Santiago harbor. and
So1iA1iioooie 'eHiey oii lhe OUTSIDE, Planning
how to get fight out of the Spanish ad-
niral on anything like equal terms
''The Oregon has arrived safe at jupiter
Inlet" the Secretary also told the Presi-
dent. Jupiter Inlet is on the Florida coast.
many miles north Of Key West The tele-
gram announcing the safe arrival of the
Oregon did not say whether the Buffalo
and Marietta were also safe at jupiter In
let.
He said that he had received no official
information giving the positions of the two
fleets, but on general knowledge of the
situation be believed that Cervera was Sc
cureIy bottled. and in this case the word
bottled is the most expressive imaeina-
BILE Santiago harbor is described as some-
thing like a big water bottle, with Cervera
in the bowl part and Echley at the neck.
Two good ships, after disposing of the for