Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1898-05-26
NO OFFICIAL REPORT AS YET
Neither Sampson Nor schley Have Given the
information,
WHICH is NOW ANxlousLY AWAITED,


Washington. May 26,-The naval au-
thorities have advanced another stage
IN their calculations on the status of
Admiral Cerveras fleet at Santiago de
Cuba They not only have good reason
to believe that he is bottled up, but
as an officer expressed 1t today, the
cork Is In the bottle, and 1t Is practi-
cally impossible for the fleet to make
an exit from the harbor day or night.
1t is felt that this condition of the
Spanish fleet is not only important
from the present strategic standpoint.
but of momentous concern to the entire
future of the war. as the Gripping of
this most effective naval force that
Spain possesses Will leave her such
scant naval RESOURCES as to make a
prolongation of the war impossible.
That Admiral Cervera went to Santa
- ard IS stin there was the
view taken by the navy department.
a. I'll s-in- tane 1t can be stated
that not word has been received
from either Admiral Sampson or Com
modore SeA.ey III Official confirmation
Of the existence of this trap.
1t rests now. as it did two days ago,
on a seml-oi'loial report coming to the
navy department from source be-
lieved to he reliable. 1t was not a naval
source, nor one connected with the
state department; neither did it come
from press advices. 1t was from par
ties having relations with the navy
department and in position To be ac-
curIate!y advised. The naval authori-
ties were extremely anxious TO secure
an official confirmation from one of the
American commanders and had this
been received 1t would have been made
public at once. But lacking this, the
department. gave to the public all 1t
felt warranted In giving from the
facts namely, an expression of belief,
that the Spanish fleet was in Santiago
harbor. This has been reinforced by
the negative fact that the fleet has been
seen at no other point, Still the word
from Sampson and Schley is being
most anxiously awaited.
President Mckinley, according to
those who were With him during the
forenoon, has received no information
today materially changing the war
situation. Save for long consulta-
ton with Secretary of War Alger and
review of the situation in Congress
there was nothing to disturb the
usual routine of work that falls to the
. lot Of the President.
Representative Grosvenor of Ohio
and Representative Dingley of Maine
informed the President of the state of
affairs In Congress and the prospects
Of the war revenue bill and the Ha-
wailan annexation resolution. They
had nothing to say after leaving the
President, but when asked about the
proposed Republican caucus on Ha-
wall General Grosvenor said that no
call for the caucus had yet been is
sued, and IL had not been determined
what action would be taken.
Senator Kyle, accompanied by Cap
tain Crossheld of South Dakota,
brought Chief Two Stars. T. X. Simon
and j. r. Brown, Dakota Indians
| VINO want an order from the President
for the payment to thir nation of $780,
OOV OF the principal sum of their
| credit now In the United States treas
1 uIy on account OF land sales. They
did not see the President, however.
Secretary of War Alger said his
long conference with the President re-
lated altogether to details.
4 IMPORTANT CONFERENCE.
An importon conference Of high Of
feials was held with the President
VIC w nlte Rouse tOuaN. Among
nose present We're Secretaries Long
ohd Alser. General Miles. Ad1utant
General Corbin and Captains Mahan
and Crowninshield and Admiral 81
safd' OF the naval strategy board.
me conference lasted several hours
llt none of the participants were will
lhs to speak of the matters under dis
.ussloh beyond the statement that as
y was the first time the strategy
board had Joined the other officials In
conference, the whole field of mill
vary and naval operations. present and
prospective, was gone over. There is
reason TO believe that Notwithstanding
uls reucence, movement on Porto
nco Is in contemplation. and should
appear that the Spanish fleet N
hetnmed In Santiago harbor as believed,
svuve operations will begin In the near
.uture against Cuba, Porto Rico and
ne philippines. This Is believed to he
RESIDENTS purpose In calling for
no'vVv additional volunteers; and II Is
a ,. TO not unlikely that other calls
i 1e made as rapidly as the troops
ah De equipped, until the effective
uIge of the army will be sufficient to
nahe short work of the Spanish forces.
HHtreNer and whenever encountered.
NdNll officers are now turning their
~, non to Inquiries whether 1t is pos
s Tor Admiral Cervera to get out OF
si 1niago harbor. They hold that this
htaHtuNer Is impossible, and being so.
career of the Spanish admiral
st an end, 70 far as 1t constitutes
,rlynhce against our ships.
iaNing everything into account. ma
olncers feel that Admiral Cervera
,allt ted fatal blunder In being
pPtl AT Santiago de Cuba, and that
80 Us no fear the trap will prove in
spuate to hold the Spanish warships.
Sentenced for Fraud.
New York. May 2s,-Robert w.
e'uny formerly deputy commissioner
pubic works of Brooklyn, today
sentenced to two years and six
'nths In Sing Sing and to pay a fine
''i'4' This Ia ten per cent Of the