The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1898-06-02
the SPANISH FLEET FOUND


Aggressive Action BY 10th Army aad
Navy new Preaised-TrssPs E.h.rk-
Ing for CubA-Deeisive Naval Baggage.
nsent Expected This Week.
The Spanish feet 10 entrspped. II
10 il the ha1bos Of santiago de Cuba
Official confirmation. The Bureau Of
Navigation Of the Navy Department
announced Tuesday niGht that Z dis
Patch had been received from Commo-
doef Schley, stating that he had1ocao-
ted and recognised the enemy. All
doubt on the subject nov having been
removed. important dss elopments in
the war with Spain may b expected
Immediately.
A report from Kingston says that
Commodore Schley 10 laying his plans
70 70 into the harbor after the Span.
iards. He 10 one OF the most courage
Gus, intrepid officers Of tho navy, and
would not shrink from such IN under
taking. While 1t 10 not to Be expected
that the exploit could be made without
l0ss or damage to the American squad
ron, the utter annihilstiou or capture
Of Cervera's fleet-its elimination - q
factor In the wsr-Would certainly fol.
low.
All the plans Of the army are envel-
cped in mystery. The volunteers at
ChicamAugs are far from being in
lghtiug trim, but It 10 thought that
perhaps 10000 can shortly be moved
south to Tampa and Mobile to take the
place Of the troops there held IN read
mess to move Cuba. Whether the in.
vasion will begin this week or next or
be longer deferred continues to be q
matter Of doubt. Maj. General Miles
does not favor movement Of the army
until l00, 900 men are thoroughly equip
ped and seasoned, and the rainy sea-
son in Cuba 10 past.
Pushiag the War.
The movement upon Cuba is under
way. Troops to the number Of Is 900,
Of the regular army, are embarking
upon transports 1T Tampa and Mobile,
aud will invade the island before the
week closes. From Key West the
transports will be conveyed BY strong
vessels Of Admiral Sampson's squad
ron. The land forces are under COM
mand of Maj. Gen. Shafter, who will
have full charge Of the expedition. In
spite Of Official reticence and strict
censorship, 1t 10 already an open secret
made 90 By reports from the South
that the destination Of these tro0ps is
Santiago de Cuba.
To Commodore Schley, Of the navy
and Maj. Gen. Shaftef, of the army
have been intrusted in Cuba the most
important undertaking Of the war
Short, shart, and decisive work 10 ex-
pected on their part. The govern
ment is saDguine Of their success in
executing the orders given them.
Admiral Cevera's Spanish fleet 10 moi
to be kept bottled up in Santiago har.
sor, but will be destroyed. With 1T
destruction q base Of naval supply and
military operation will be secured and
firmly established. News Of aggressive
and victorious action 10 likely to come
iron Santiago BY Friday or Saturday
If Santiago be the destination Of thu
troops now embarkinG-and there il
every reason to credit the accuracy Of
the Feports-Maj. Gen. Skaters com.
msnd will be augmented severa
thousand BY insurgents now in thu
field and we'll armed. The province
Of Santiago, though not the city itself
has long been held by Gomez's army
Blanco has force Of less than l2,O0(
in charge Of the Notifications OF thu
city, . majority of the soldiers being
unwilling subjects Of Spain who hav'
been impressed into service. They
will be no match Tor the small, but
well-equipped invading army.
The capture and occupation OF Pors'
Rico BY the United States will be an
| nounced in the near future, unless IN
expected developments should necessi
tate . change of present, plans.
Mai. Gen, Miles and staff have start
! ed to Tampa. He will not 80 to Cub
1t this time.