The evening times., 1898-06-23
sPA|A's RESERVE FLEET
Fear Expressed That 1t May At
tack the Pacific SeabOard.
NOW CJALING AT CARTAGENA
An ImPressi0n That Fast Cruisers
Are to He Dispatched by Camarn
to Create Havoc on the Western
Side of This COuntry-American
Commerce In Danger.

Not among the least of the several
problems that are agitating the minds Of
Strategy Board and naval officials gener-
ally is that concerning the destruction of
the Spanish reserve squadron which II
is asserted has not left the waters about
Cartagena. This contradicts dispatch
received some days ago: but the fact that
1t is so is contained in a dispatch receiv-
ed at the Navy Department yesterday
afternoon, from thoroughly reliable
source.
Taken IN conjunction with a dispatch
received by the State Department from
Valparaiso, Chile. Announcing that three
suspicious golfers had taken on board
cargoes of coal at that point and were
preparing 10 sa.'. the information is re-
garded most important.
To definitely establish the ownership OF
the cargoes on board the golfers and
whether their real destination is the Phil
ippines or some other friendly port, the
department cabled TO the consul at VAL
paraiso. desiring him to make a search
ing investigation and 10 ask the Chilean
government to assist him IL he found any
evidence to support the theory that the
coal was destined for the Spanards
While the Navy Department still in
sists that the destination of Camara's
squadron is the Canary Islands, there are
some officials who are rather skeptical
this point. and believe that IL Is real
ly bound for the Philippines. They sup
port their belief by the State Depart
ments information concerning the COLI
ers which they say is an evidence that
Spain is preparing to recoal her feet up
on their arrival in the Far East. They
that the distance hat Y "a Ina n il,
and the Philippines Is only LDo1 or so
miles more than that between Cartagena
and Manila and that junction could be
effected without any great difficulty.
On the other hand. several naval ex-
perts who were approached pointed out
that the Spaniards may be prepared TO
send couple Of Yarships against the Pa
cific coast. The AUXILIARY cruisers Patrio-
Ia and Rapido, they say. can easily ac-
commodate four thousand tons of coal
which would enable them TO reach Pacific
waters without recoaling, and. with an
additional supply. they could operate
against the Pacific coast.
When their coal supply had been ex-
hausted 1t would be possible for them to
put in at a neutral port and take on
board n sufficient supply OF coal to take
them to the next nearest home port
which would enable them 20 fill up their
bunkers and cruise back 10 Spain if ne
cesS3ry.
1t is pointed out that there would be
nothing on the Pacific coast that could
catch these two ships. except the Phila-
delphia. whose speed is less than they
can make under forced draught The
result of the operations of these vessels
against American commerce in the Pa
cific would be most disastrous. 1t is,
therefore. absolutely necessary that II
the coal on board the colliers at VaIna-
raiso is really destined for Spanish ships
1t should DO seized by the Chilean
authorities on the ground that its shiu-
ment TO beiligerent would be violation
of neutrality.
1t is known at the Navy Department
that the Spaniards have retained the tor
pedo boats Ariete. Orion. Rayo and Re-
tamos at the Canaries. and the Navy De-
partmen. believes they will effect a juno
ton with Camara's squadron upon its ar
rival. These boats are understood to be
in good condition.