The San Francisco call., 1898-05-02
QUICK BLOWS
 TO BE STRUCK War Will Be Waqed Vigorously From This
 Time Forth. Cuban Port to Be Captured and Spain's Warships
 Attacked
Fleet May Be Sent Against the Vessels Stationed at the
 Canaries.
Special Dispatch to The Cali.


 NEW YORK, May IA Washington special to the Herald says: Spain has hastened American action in reducing Cuban port for use as a base of op- erations by the dispatch of her fleet to western waters.
 In order to make the path clear for the expedition which will leave the United States for the island during the present week the ships of the North Atlantic squadron will probably cease the desultory firing which they have been engaging in for some days and will at once put into operation plan of campaign agreed upon.
 AS soon as the port desired as a base is taken it is practically certain that an armorclad fleet, which has been under such serious consideration by the Ma val War Board, will be formed, prepar- atory to hostile action against Spanish men-of-War
 l have it from a reliable source that the Naval War Board has been con- sidering a proposition to make a coun- ter play in the game of war with Spain, which involves the dispatch of a force against the Canary Islands. I cannot learn that 1t has been definitely deter mined to put this proposition into eff feet. What has been done, however, has been to dispatch auxiliary cruisers to Porto Rican waters, and they will partol between that island and Cape Verde and the Canary Islands.
 AS soon as the scouts ascertain the position of Spanish men-of-war they will as the Herald has stated, hasten to the nearest cable station and advise the Navy Department what they have learned. So far as the proposition to take one of the Canary Islands Is con- cerned, 1t has been pointed out by members of the board that this had better be deferred until the Spanish fleet is destroyed as operations against those Spanish possessions would neceS- sitate the withdrawal of some of the armored ships of the North Atlantic and flying squadrons. This suggestion has been followed by proposition to send some of the lighter cruisers to the Canaries and to have them engage the Spanish force there, and this may be done.
 In the meantime officials are concern ing themselves with the Spanish fleet and steps which should be taken to meet it. An economical speed of four armored cruisers is ten knots, and if the fleet should move at that speed at least ten days would be occupied in making the voyage. As there is an ample supply of coal at San Juan, ves- sels can go at a higher rate. and at fifteen knots would reach Porto Rico next Friday
 In view of this fact, naval officials are counseling haste in the action of the North Atlantic squadron against a Cuban port, so that a junction of the amored ships of that force with those of the flying squadron can take place at once.
 It is considered possible by the of ficials that the Spanish forces may be on their way to the vicinity of Barba- does, where they will await the coming of the battleship Oregon and the gun boat Marietta It was pointed out to- day that if Spain suffers defeat in the Philippines she would obtain a re- actionary effect by bagging American men-of-war on their way to Key West. Carefully prepared instructions have been cabled to Captain Clarke. com manding the Oregon, to take a course which will insure his arrival at Key West without meeting Spanish men-of- war.
 It is expected that the Oregon and Marietta are now coaling at Rio Jan eiro and that they will resume their voyage by Tuesday next.