The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-11-26
The Great Naval Mystery OF May %,

II any idea yet fingers in any mind of
making an issue in Congress OF alleged in
Justice to Admiral SCHLEY on the part of
the Administration, Secretary LONGS con-
else and d~ispassionate narrative Of events
between May 10 and July 3 should dispel
that idea instanter.
On the first Of the dates here mentioned
the Flying Squadron, under Commodore
ScHLEY's command, sailed from Key West
to Cienfuegos to blockade that place.
On the next day, May 20, the Department
communicated to Admiral SAMPSON, at Key
West, a report that CERvERA's ships were
at Santiago. SAMPSON was advised from
Washington to order SCHLEY and his squad
ron to proceed to Santiago. SAMPSON him
self received direct information two days
later, confirming the report of CERvERA's
whereabouts. He was OH the north side Of
Cuba SCHLEY was on the south side. SAMP-
sons dispatches directing ScHLEY to pro-
coed with allhaste to Santiago, unless he was
satisfied that CERvERA was at Cienfuegos.
reached ScHLEY OIL May %. On that same
day SCHLEY wrote a letter to SAMPSON stat
ing that he was by no means satisfied that
the Spanish squadron was not at Glen
fuegos, and that he should therefore re-
main of that port. On the same day, also,
SAMPso sailed eastward from off Havana,
in order to intercept CERvERA, if he should
approach from that direction.
On May "a SCHLEY sent to SAMPSON two
kilograms stating that he had ascertained
that the Spanish feet was not in Cienfuegos.
SCHLEY that he would go east
ward the next day, the 25th; but that on
account OF short coal supply he could not
blockade Santiago II CERvERA was there,
but would proceed to Hayti. in the neigh
borhood OF Mole st. Nicolas, from which
point he would communicate.
We now come to the singular events which
have previously reached the public's knowl-
edge only in less authoritative form than as
now officially communicated in Secretary
LONGS report. We quote from the Secre-
tary's narrative:
Upon the receipt OF this Admiral
SAMPSON at once decided to go to Key West for coal.
and. II authorized by the Department, to proceed to
Santiago in person. The New Orleans was instructed
on this same day. May 27. to. proceed as rapidly a.
possible TO that port, in company with the
collier Sterling, and with orders to Commodore
ScHLEY to remain on the blockade at Santiago
at all hazards. assuming that the Spanish
vessels are in that port This order further di.
rected that the collier Sterling should be used to
obstruct the channel leading into the harbor. and
that in the meantime the utmost care should be
exercised in order that none of tho Spanish yessela
In that port be allowed TO escape. Admiral SAMpsoN
arrived at Key West on May rs and cabled to Com
modore ScHLEY. advising him that the New Orleans
would meet him of Santiago on May 20 with i'm
portant Dispatches and further emphasizing the i'm
portAnce OF immediate communication with per
lOna AalOrA In Drdnr IN aIrartafp anl A
or not CRRvERA's squadron was at Santiago"
ScHLEY left Cienfuegos with his squadron
on the evening OF May "a, and late on the
afternoon OF the 26th he was twenty miles
or 80 southeast of Santiago, where he
stopped to make repairs to the collier Mer-
rimac. At ten minutes before 8 that evening
the Commodore signalled to his Captains:
Destination Key West. ria south side OF Cuba and
fucatan Channel, a. soon as collier is ready. Speed
nine knots.'
So ScHLEY steamed westward, away from
Santiago, that night until after II o'clock.
when he stopped again for repairs to the
Yale. The next morning the Harvard came
up with these orders direct from Washing
ton by the Haytian cable:
"WAsHTNGToS. May IS, 1898.
HARVARD ~ Nlcolas Mole, Hayu-Proceed at
once and inform ScHLEY and also the senior officer
present OF Santiago as follows! All Departments in.
formation indicates spanish division Is stili at San.
tiago. The Department looks to you to ascertain
facts. and that the enemy. II therein, does not leave
without q decisive action. Cubans familiar with San.
tiSRo say that there are landing places hve or six
nautical miles west from the mouth OF the harhor,
and that there insurgents probably will be found
aud not the spanish. From the surrounding heights
can see every vessel in port. As soon az ascertained
notify the department whether enemy is there.
Could not 4~ladron and also the Harvard coal from
AerrimAe Reward on Cape Cruz. oonaiyes Channel.