Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1898-06-02
Cervera at the Mercy
-. of the American
Squadron,
HIS CAREER Is AT AN END
spaniard's Fatal Blunder-Schley Or
Santiago and sampson Where He
Can Go tn His Assistance or Reach
Havana,

Washington, May 2S.-Secretary
Long said at the close Of Office hours to-
day that Cervera was still in Santiago
harbor. Schley Is lying outside
watching the entrance, to prevent the
egress of the Spanish vesse Is, but while
there is evidence Of certain kind OF
that fact, there has been no official con-
firmation of it. This is little remark.
able, in view Of the fact that it is only
days run for one of Schley's swift
torpedo-boats from Santiago to cable
port in Hayti.
There Is also curious lack of infor.
nation from the newspaper boats on
this point. 1t was supposed the censors
might have eliminated from the dis
patches Of the newspaper men any ref
erence to the fleets, but this would
apply, according to the statement OF
the naval department officials here,
only to that part of the dispatches that
might relate to the number and where
abouts of the United States forces, and
the censor's rules would not exclude
reference to the Spanish sQuadrOns.
Notwithstanding the officials profess
mistaken confidence in their belief that
the Spanish squadron is securely bottled
up In Santiago harbor, there is no con-
cealment by them of an intense desire
to secure some absolutely trustworthy
information on that point. 1t is not
to be doubted that, with the question
still open, the beginning of the main
operations are retarded. So long AS
there exists possibility of the Spanish
naval forge being at large, there is an
indisposition to start the troop trans
ports for Cuba.
Probably 1t was this uncertainty OF
affairs that induced the president to
call consultation at the White House
today between Secretaries Long and
Algcr, General Miles and the members
of the naval war board. Admiral Sic.
ard. Captain Crownshield and Cap.
tain Mahan. AS stated by one Of the
members OF the conference, the pur-
pose was to 90 over the whole situation
from the Philippines to Cuba and Porte
Rico, and decide just how far the
plans already laid down should be
modified to meet existing conditions.
This involved decision on such i'm.
portant points as the propriety Of an
immediate move of the military force
on Cuba; the reliability OF the advices
so far had touching the location Of the
Spanish squadron; the policy OF p1eced'
ing the Cuban expedition or accom-
panying it with one directed against
Porto Rico, and, finally. the extent OF
the military assistance to be sent tC
Admiral Dewey at Manila.
AS already indicated, the proceedings
were rather in the nature of consult
alton than OF q war council, so it is no,
probable that all of the important ques
tions were disposed OF at the conference
No member Of the conference felt
authorized to tell what had taker
place, but there are felt to be patent in.
diCations Of decision to embark the
military expeditions in the course q
the next few days; whether for Cubf
or Porto Rico can only be conjectured.
Naval officers feel that Cervera ha:
committed fatal blunder in being
trapped at Santiago de Cuba, and that
there ia no fear the trap will prove In
adequate to hold the Spaniards.