The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1898-05-17
SPAIN'S FLEET ELUDES OURS
1HE ENEMY SIGHTED OFF THE DUTCH
ISLAND OF CUROCAO.
Near Coast OF venczuela-The Movements
OF admiral Sampsou's Squadron Known
10 tho Navy Department, But VIII Not
Ite Made Public rho Oregon Safe

Washington, May 14.--Definite
official news reached the authorities
lato this afternoon that tho Spanish
squadron had been sighted off tho
Island of Curacao, one Of tho Dutch
West Indies, lying off tho north
coast of Vonczuola. This informa-
tion was regarded us Of vital import
ance, rs it not only fixed the position
Of the enemy, but disclosed tho pur-
pose Of tho Spanish admiral to elude
Admiral Simpsons fleet and make
his way through tho Caribbean Sea,
probably to Cuba. The Island of
Curacao was originally Spanish, and
is peopled mainly by descendants of
Spaniards, though it is now ono of
the Dutch possessions. Tho Spanish
admirals course was also influenced
by the fact that tho French cable,
starting from Caracas, Venezuela,
touches at the Island of Curacao,
enceproceeding Northward through
the Caribbean to Huiti, with spurs
running East and Wcst to Porto
Rico and Cuba, respectively. He is
thus enabled to got in touch from
Curacao with tho Spanish authorities
in Cuba and Porto Rico, and through
them directly with tho Spanish adj
miralty ut Madrid. No Immediate
battle with Admiral Sampson's fleet
is now expected, rs the Spanlards, it
soems likely, have succeeded in pass
ing South Of the American fleet and
are now well to the Westward of it.
As tho onemy is in reach Of the
cable, the navy department regards
1t Of tho most vital concern that tho
exact whereabouts Of tho American
ships should not be made known
during the next fow days. Thus far
they have felt handicapped by tho
fact that tho Spanish admiral knew
tho whereabouts of our ships, while
wo were in a state Of doubt as to
the locality of his. The officials
here regard it as essential during
the next few days to reverse this
condition, so that the Spanish ADM
raj will be moving in tho dark while
our officers will bo posted "a to the
movements through tho Caribbean.
Tho department doubtless is informed
as to the whereabouts of Admiral
Sampson's squadron, but it does not
500 1T to give any information on
the subject, and the samo rigid 81
lence prevails as to tho whereabouts
and destination Of Commodore
Schley's flying squadron. The game
has reached such a critical stage
that premature publication rs to the
whereabouts of our ships might
cause inestinubiu loss and failure Of
present plans.
In ono respect, tho manoeuvor OF
the Spanish fleet is Il relief to naval
officials here, as it seems to assure
tho safety of the battloship Oregon
She is proceeding from tho North
coast of South America to join Ad
miral SIMPSONS fleet, and is some
whore in the neighborhood of Mar
Unique. Had the Spanish squadron
remained at that point, there would
have boen serious danger that the
Oregon would be intercepted. Now
however, she is we'll out of the way
Of the Spaniards 30 long as she fol
lows tho usual routes.
1t is not to be supposed that tEt
Navy Department, with knowledge
of the whereabouts Of tho Spanish
, fleet, is going to allow any Of it's hare
worked little cruisers and gunboat'
engaged in blockade duty on the Gu
ban coast to fall victims to the hug,
' Spanish ironclads. Their command
. crs will be promptly advised Of th'
approach Of tho Spaniards, and j
may be set down rs suro that unless
- tho department is satisfied tina
Sampson and Schley can head of
0 and crush the Spaniartls, tho Ameri
S can blockade vessels will be givcl
permission to tako care of thcmsslvc
3 and get out Of harms way.
8 The determined attack madu h
i tho Marblehead and other vessels o
:" tho ocean cables running seawar
/ from Cienfucgos shows that IL,