Evening star., 1899-12-11
The Story Told Of Her Hopeless
Struggle.
CERVERA'S CORRESPONDENCE IN FULL
Reasons for Hitherto Unaccount-
able Acts.
HOW THE OTHERS FOUGHT


the Spanish war, just translated and pub
lished by the Navy Department, discloses
how hopeless was Spain's struggle, and
yet now undaunted her navy went to GER
tain defeat. 1t is a most valuable contri-
button to the literature of the war, and no
student of the Santiago campaign can af-
ford to be without it. It clears up many
questions as to why different plans were
not adopted. why Spain combined her At
lantic forces in one fleet, why she did not
harry our coasts, why Camara's feet did
not go to Manila, why Cervera's fleet re-
matned so long in Santiago harbor and why
1t finally left to go to defeat and destruc-
ton.
Cervera was strongly opposed to sending
fleet to the West Indies. The American
naval force, he held, was thrice power
ful as Spains, and there could be but one
result-defeat. Cuba he regarded as lost
as soon as war opened, but with 5000 miles
of water Intervening Spain could defend
herself with honor He wrote in private
letter to his cousin, March IA: For my
part, l am not eager for the sad gory-if
there can be any glory in going to certain
defeat-of perishing at the head of the
squadron. If this falls to my lot 1 shall be
patient and fulfill my duty, but with the
bitterness of knowing my sacrifice fruit
less. For these reasons l was very
Vacillating before accepting the charge,
but, having accepted it, will fulfill it with
lLe consequences II may entail, ana, as 1
said before. will do my duty, but 1 recall
the words of Jesus Christ, and not for my
self as much as for poor Spain say, o my
Father, if 1t be possible, let this cup pass
from me- "
The squadron sailed for Martinique with
the intention of going to San Juan, Porto
Rco, but on reaching Fort de France it
was learned that coal could be had for
the ships at San Juan and that SIMPSONS
squadron was in the vicinity looking for
him. He had no wish to rush upon his de-
struction, and accordingly turned his prows
toward Curacao. off the coast Of Venezuela,
where he obtained some coal and gained the
information that Simpsons vessels were
waiting for him in the Bahama channel
Santiago the nearest Spanish port, and
1t had not been blOckaded he believed
that 1t would have plenty of coal and pro-
visions.
Arrival ut Santiago.
He entered the harbor unobserved by the
American ships on the morning of May 10,
and at once began to coal his ships. He
appears to have been pretty well posted
in regard to the movements and where
abouts Of the American vessels, some of
his Information coming from Spanish spies
in Montreal. But he was misinformed in
one instance and thus missed oppor-
tunity of getting away before Santiago was
blockaded. General Blanco. at Havana
was constantly urging him to leave. On May
70 he gave as an excuse for not leaving
that Commodore Schley had been ordered
on the 10th to leave Key West for San
tiago, and consequently If he left he would
encounter stronger American force. The
fact is that Commodore Schley was ordered
to go to Ctenfuegos and was directed to
blockade It. Cervera, by Keeping out
of sight of land would have passed to the
south of schley and could have gained
Havana by the Yucatan channel.
At another time it a fiat rock in the
channel that Cervera feared. Three of the
big ships might pass over it. but the mar
gin of safety for the fourth was too small
a ha rfc
but Cervera, rendered over-cautious by his |
despair, would not venture. The chance |
passed and SIMPSONS bloodhounds closed |
In on their prey. 1t was not long before |
Cervera realized how hopeless was his po-
sftion. Long before the American troops |
reached Cuba he had determined to blow |
up his ships rather than surrender them.
His provisions were nearly gone. His men |
were living on hard tack, and the soldiers |
on rice. There was no way Of getting sup
plies.
Urged to Go Out.
General Blanco was then put in COM |
mand of the naval forces, and he tried to |
infuse some of his vigor into Cervera's |
faint spirit. He charged the latter with |
exaggerating the difficulties of the situa-
ton and urged him to break out .;hlps |
had run the blockade at Havana, why |
could they not do it at Santiago? Cervera |
replied that 1t could not be done. Blanco |
suggested running out al night. Cervera |
explained lndt d night SOfIle would lG |
worse than one by daylight. The warships |
We're kept much closer to the entrance |
Smaller vessels served as pickets nearer |
shore, and the powerful and dazzling |
parture impossible. The channel was mar |
row and difficult and could not be navi-
gated safely at night.
Ordered to Go Out.
Thus matters passed until the American |
troops landed and carried San Juan hill |
and occupied Ell Caney. Even before the |
fight the Spanish admitted that the city
would have to surrender, but it was de- |
termined to make a stout resistance as |
possible. The fall of the city they did not |
care so much about. A city could be re- |
taken, but a fleet could not be replaced
The capture of the fleet meant the close of
the war. Cervera did not regard the sue
cess OF the American troops on July l as
of Importance. He reported to the minister
of marine: The enemy has not accom-
plished much, as the defense has been bril- |
liant. But we have 800 casualties" But
Blanco feared for the next move of the
Americans-a move that was not made by
the bye, until Gen. Miles went to Cuba-the
cordingly. that night be telegraphed Ger
vera, indorsing his words as very urgent -
as follows: Hasten sortie from harbor as
much possible before enemy can take
possession OF entrance"
Gen. Toral was directed to prolong de-
fense as much as possible, by every means
preventing the enemy from taking possess
sion of the harbor entrance, which is to
go out early as possible so as not to
have to surrender nor destroy ships" Gen.
Blanco notified the minister of war that
Cervera was to take advantage of the first
opportunity before the enemy occupied the
entrance. Gen. Blanco wired Cervera at
5:1O I'm. July 2: I'm view of exhausted
and serious condition of Santiago. as stated
by Gen. Toral, your excellency will re-em-
bark landing troops of squadron as fast as
possible, and go out Immediately"
Cervera Opposed to Going.
Gen. Toral had opposed the departure of