The San Francisco call., 1898-05-03
ATCHINC FOR
 SP PANISH SHIPS It Is Believed the Cape Verde Fleet Is After
 the Oregon.
If Such Proves to Be the Case Fast Cruisers Will Be Sent
 to the Rescue.
Then No Time Will Be Lost in Land ing an Army to Take Possession
 of Cuba.
Special Dispatch to The Call.
Call Office, Riggs House,

Washington, May 2.
 Elated over the Philippine victory l and reports from British forces that | the Spaniards have surrendered or are | about to surrender Manila, the War and Navy Departments are eager to | strike a second decisive blow, and this time it will be in Cuban waters.
 When the sailing of the Cape Verde fleet in a westerly direction was an- nounced it was decided to postpone the landing of troops on Cuban soil, for it was feared that Spain's vessels might be heading for the northern seaboard to attack one of our coast cities. Ir this case Admiral Sampson's fleet would have to withdraw from the blockade before Havana, join the fly ing squadron and give battle to the Spanish fleet wherever it might be-. This would leave the troops landed in Cuba in a perilous situation. They would not have had time to fortify themselves against an attack from General Blanco's superior force.
 While the Navy Department lacks definite information as to the destina- ton of Spain's fleet, it may be said upon the authority of high official Of the department that while Porto Rico was at first thought to be the fleets destination, some doubt of this is now entertained, and it has been pointed out by members of the war board that Spain, improvident as usual, has failed to lay in an abundance of coal at Porto Rico, and could not stand a long siege. It was also said that it would be sim ply suicidal for the Spanish fleet to at- tack any of our Atlantic Coast cities, on account of the same lack of coal The British having declined in advance to supply any coal to war vessels, eX- cept enough to steam them home, the Spaniards would have no other source of supply, and they would be at the mercy of the combined American fleets.
 Where is the Spanish fleet bound then, if not to the North Atlantic coast or Cuban waters? That is the question now agitating the navy. The almost universal belief is that Spain's vessels will waylay and attack the Oregon and Marietta and the report received tonight to the effect that the Spanish torpedo boat Temerario had also reached Rio was calculated to strengthen the belief that the Oregon and the Marietta are to be made the victims of Spain's superior force in numbers.
 The department is now considering a plan by which the design may be frustrated. If any one of our fast CIu1SGIS 1lOW SCOQliHS III IllS <AiioillC brings news that Spain's fleet is headed for San Roque, the flying squadron will be sent in hot haste to the relief of the Oregon and Marietta, while Admiral Sampson's fleet will remain before Ha- vana and assist in landing Shafter's men.
 Having concluded that Spains fleet will not have the temerity to attack Sampson, or the foolhardiness to att tempt an attack on our coast, the War Department plans to establish base of supplies at or near Matanzas will be vig- orously pushed.
 Based upon information received from naval officers competent to judge it was predicted in these dispatches Friday night that Commodore Dewey's squad ron would steam economically and ap pear before Manila Sunday morning; that decisive battle would be fought before sundown in which the Americans would be victorious. From advices re- ceived from the same source it is be- lieved that by the last of this week a great naval and military demonstration will be made in Cuban waters and our troops will effect a landing at or near MatanZaS.