The record-union., 1898-05-26
THE SPANISH FLEET.
No Longer Amy Doubt That 1t Is in
Santiago Harhor

WASHINGTON, May 25.-There
seems to be no longer any doubt that
the Spanish fleet now in Santiago har-
Dor is hemmed in by Commodore
Schley's squadron, and that their es-
cape is almost, if not, quite impossible
Members of the Cabinet are eXultant
over to-day's news and although they
are not willing to make public the
source of their information they re-
gard 1t as perfectly trustworthy They
are not willing to state the exact posi-
ton of SIMPSONS fleet, but do say, that
1t is acting in connection with Schley
and can come to his relief at any time
should the situation require it.
The published report that another
and more formidable fleet IS en- route
from CadiZ to the relief of the impris-
Oned squadron is not credited by mem
bers of the Administration. Should this
prove to be the fact, the move would
/ be welcomed by our naval authorities
/ as 1t would certainly result, it is said
| in the destruction of the two fleets in
| stead of one. 1t is authoritatively
/ stated that the situation of Santiago
harbor is such that our gunboats, which
are available for the purpose, could
/ successfully prevent the escape of the
/ Spantards, thus relieving a considerable
part of both SIMPSONS and Schley's
| fleets for operations elsewhere.
! The safe arrival of the Oregon at
Jupiter Inlet, Florida, is spoken of with
great satisfaction by members of the
Cabinet. Captain Clark, in his mes
sage to the Secretary of the Navy,
reports his safe arrival there, and says
! that he is in condition for immediate
active operations at the front.
! Taken altogether, the news of the
day is highly satisfactory, and it is
confidently expected that should the
Spanish attempt to force a passage to
/ sea the news of the total destruction
of their fleet may be expected at any
time.
! Secretary of the Navy Long was at
the White House twice this morning
! to see the President spending only a
few minutes each time. On leaving the
/ second time he made the important
! announcement of the safe arrival of
the battleship Oregon at Jupiter Inlet,
Florida, about midnight last night At
/ the same time Secretary Long, while
expressly stating that no official ad-
vices had been received of the bottling
/ up of the Spanish fleet in the harbor
at Santiago de Cnba by Commodore
! Schley'S squadron, announced that
there was every reason to believe that
I it was the case.
! There is little room for doubling
the report that Admiral Cervera and
his vessels are penned in the harbor by
/ Commodore Schley's squadron owing to
Secretary Longs statement that there
was every reason to believe it was,
supplemented by the President, who, in
reply to inquiries from Congressional
callers, said that it was undoubtedly
true.
| Secretary Long had only a brief talk
with the President over the situation
/ The safe arrival of the Oregon at Jupi-
ter had been discounted to some ex-
} tent by previous announcements of it's
safety. Commodore Schley's catching
up with the Cervera fleet was a source
/ of much congratulation for in the con-
ferences that took place there was a
feeling that it brought the end of the
war much nearer.
Asked as to the possibility of a ruse
! of some sort arising from Admiral
/ Cervera's deliberately entering the har-
! Dor under the circumstances. Secretary
/ Long said the purpose of the Spanish
could be only conjectured, but that it
might be they went into Santiago for
! coaling. While refraining from a dis
cussion specifically the matter of rein
/ forcements and the dispatch of Ad-
miral SIMPSONS fleet, now asserted to
/ be in the neighborhood of Havana, to
! Santiago, Secretary Long has no hesi-
tation in saying Commodore Schley
could have whatever aid he wanted.