The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-07-06
Before Hearing the Truth.

Copyright, 1898, by Associated Press }
Madrid, July 6--AlmOst indescri ba BILE
enthusiasm prevailed here over the sup
posed escape Of Admiral Cervera and
his squadron from the harbor of Santi-
ago de Cuba.
The admiral's name was on everv
tongue, and it was claimed that it was
he who saved Santiago de Cuba 'sby
adding to General Linares' handful of
soldiers" his brave sailors to man the
guns ashore and repeI the Americans
under General Shafter.
such is about the exultant eulogy of
Admiral CerVera heard on all sides
this state Of public feeling being due to
the Official announcements from Santf-
ago. For instance, one statement from
Santiago is as follows:
When Admiral Cervera found It GER
tain that Colonel Escario's reinforce
anents were in proximity to Santiago
the admiral held a council with the
commanders of his squadron disclosing
to them a plan to force the blockade in
proad dayhght. The commanders re
sponded unanimously: sAd Iante,' 0or-
ward).
1T was then arranged that the tor
pedo boat deStrOyers should take the
lead, feign1ng an attack, and discharge
the torpedOes against the enemy's ships
the Cristobal Colon protecting their
advance, sheltered by the batteries of
MORO castle and distracting the
enemy's attention. while the remainder
OF the squadron sailed out of the har-
Dor.
1.-The Americans at first were taken
by surprise. Then, recovering, they
opened a tremendous fire, especially
against the torpedo boat destroyers
which vessels Admiral CerVera had in
structed to steer an opposite course to
the squadron. The Americans were de-
ceived and unanswered towards the
supposed course of the Spaniards while
Admiral Cervera went full steam ahead
maintaining a continuous fire until
clear OF the American lines and then
steamed q w r1
breasted for some distance by the swift
est American vessels, until they were
lost sight of from MORO castle.
In the meantime, the torpedo boat
destroyers sank under a rain of shell
from the numerous American Warships
TIC 10 presumed part of their crews were
saved by the enemy or swan ashore
"a number of life buOys were provided
on board the torpedo boat destroyers
whose crews anticipated that their YES
sells would be destroyed"
The foregoing is the popular Spanish
version of the SOrtie of Admiral CerVera
from the harbor of Santiago de Cuba
and the sacrifice of the crews of the
torpedo boat destroyers is said to be
highly appreciated by the queen regent
while the general public is overjOyed at
their conduct 1t was supposed here
that Admiral Cervera was running for
Havana, since he had not been reported
as arriving at Cienfuegos. Hopes were
expressed in this city that the Spanish
admiral would capture or destroy some
American vessels while on his way to
Havana.
Foreign advices giving contrad ictOry
versions OF the sOrtie cast a tinge of
perplexity and dampness upon the gen
eral rejoicing.
In military circles 1t was considered
that General Shafter has been checked,
that Rear Admiral Sampson has been
baf1ed, and that the aspect of the war
had been changed. but the universal
expression Of opinion is that peace is
INN sir . n in rr-ea
which is satisfactory to the national
feeling