The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-02-21

blehead made 1t dangerous to coal them
alongside the collier with any SWELL
1t was this situation says the state.
ment, coupled with the conclusion that
the Spanish squadron might have touched
and then moved west, as reported at Glen
fuegos. and reinforced by the fact that
Sigsbee had not seen them aud that the
Pilot Nunez was strongly impressed with
the doubt that the squadron could enter
the port which occasioned my telegram OF
May 81
He then states that the chief engineer
OF the collier, after much hard work, dis
connected the broken engine while being
taken in tow. and the weather and sea
mcderating, orders We're given to cast off
the tow line after about three hours steam
ing west.
Captain Sigsbee is quoted as confirming
the opinion as to the difficulty of coaling
on Santiago. He gives the details of the
absolute location OF the Spanish squadron
inside the harbor an May 30, which dis
covery was, the admiral says, the result
OF a determination to satisfy himself fully
before leaving for the west. On the 3tst
he made reconnaissance to develop the
enemy's position and incidentally to in
lure or destroy, If possible. the Colon.
moored we'll up in the harbor.'
The question of the presence of
the enemy being determined, he decid-
Inducements arrived.
Admiral Schley quotes the departments
olspatch of May 20 in these words: THE
department looks 10 you to ascertain the
presence of the enemy. and that the enemy
II IN the harbor at Santiago, does not leave
without decisive action"
commenting on this, the admiral said:
IN obedience 10 the above order and
without any further order or Instructions
from anyone, | did ascertain the fact tbnt
me enemy was at Santiago and the enemy
uia not leave without decisive conflict /"
Deialllng tho events connected with the
battle of July 3, he says; THAT at S: a. on
mat day Admiral Sampson made signal
from ms flagship: Disregard movements
o oa me so,ilhahner n chief, and steamed
This says Admiral schley "left IA.
the senior officer present and neeessariIv
clothed me with the responsibility of the
command" u 'ne
Continuing, he declares that when the
enemy's vessels came out of tho harbor
sisnai was made from the Brooklyn (his
hasship' 10 70 the Meet to clear ships for
action Then followed the signal "cyoss
action" and this was the signal; The
enemy escaping to the westward" follow
ing the appearance OF the Spanish fieet
There was general inward movement ~
the American vessels, closing in and ON.
kasihs ~ EHplalning the movements az
me vessels OF both fleets, he says tha
Spanish fleet was coming westward unaar
high speed, and, changing course more IA
westward, brought the Brooklyn headtnr
eastward TO meet II, into position where
she would have blanketed the fire ~ ~
cast vessels OF our forces now chanp,nv
their courses to the westward and betwees,
them and the Spanish vessels. Ins,ant
decision, he continues, was therefore NEG
a a..
,uiting on any Of the fire of our vessels
ls would have occurred if she had turned
toward the Spanish feet now appraachInr
the BROOKLYN, Turning outward left the
anemy's ships unmasked by the Brool,lvn
and exposed them 10 the Concentrated nrs
y our squadron The result OF this ma
1oenyer was that IN thirty minutes from
ne onenine Of the combat four of the
'nemy's vessels were on fre and rldd,cd
With proieciiies
Al the vessels OF tho enemys Zee,
we're little forward the Brooklyn's