The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-04-03
II Was Responsible For the Destruction Of
His Fleet and His Capture.
he MADE NO ATTEMPT TO HARRAss
From Tho Moment The Feeling Of Impoisrcs Tock
Possession Of the Spanlards Their Fate Was
Ssalsd-lack Of Training.

Washington. April 3-The bureau of
naval intelligence Of the navy depart
ment has issued the last OF the series Of
sketches Of the Spanish-American war
by Commander Jacobson of the German
protected cruiser Gcier. The last of this
interesting series deals with the cendi-
ton OF tho Spanish ships after the bat
tie of Santiago. This portion OF the
sketch contains number OF observations
regarding the technical effect OF our gun
fire which will interest naval officers
The most interesting observations to the
lack OF H. displayed by Cervera. The
Spanish admiral having been ordered TO
leave the harbor to remove the main
object Of the attack upon Santiago.
Commander Jacobson says his position
was most difficult. He did not dare
make the attempt at night. and SO de-
cfded to 90 out In broad daylight.
The whole crew." he says. ".ell a VIC
tim to this fatal decision. Instructions
for the sortie and the western course
were issued. The admiral was entirely
convinced OF the impossibility Of defeat
ing the enemy or OF reaching another
Cuban harbor even IL he should succeed
In steaming right through the hostile
feet. IL Is 10 this feeling OF helplessness
and impotence more than to anything
else that I attribute the defeat. The
Spanish ships had spent a month and Q
half in the harbor without even attempt
ing to attack the blockading fleet when
a favorable opportunity presented itself,
or even of harrassing IT, The two tor
pedo boat destroyers were not used for
the purpose for which they were intend
ed. This inactivity and lack OF initiative
must have had very demoralzins ef-
feet on the officers and men. IL we add
to this the certain knowledge that the
opposing forces We're much stronger IL
will be readily understood that the idea
OF general Night after coming out Of the
harbor entrance was the only acceptable
one. especially in view OF the possibility
of beaching the ships. thereby rendering
them unserviceable, and eventually res
cuing the crews. From the very mo-
ment that this feeling Of impotence took
possession Of the Spanish and LED TO the
above reflections, their fate, psychologi-
cally speaking, was sealed. We do not
mean to disparage their valor and ten
acity in the midst OF the hostile fire: but.
on the other hand. 1t is quite natural
that the admiral, seeing that everything
was happening as he had foreseen. was
the one who set the example Of running
his ships ashore. All the other COM
manders followed this example.
ION the American side the situation
was Just the reverse. Admiral Samp-
sons feet was fully conscious OF its
power. The blockade was being con-
Quoted in accordance with carefully pre-
pared plans, as were also the arrange
ments in case OF the enemy's attempt TO
escape. Frequent engagements with the
Spanish forts had given commanders
and crews that calm assurance in the
handling OF thor weapons which guar
antees success The long blockade SER
vice, exhausting and monotonous, hard
IN interrupted by any action OF the part
Of the Spanish. had strung the nerves 30
the highest pitch, and everybody was
anxious for the end TO come. Suddenly
the enemy attempts 10 escape. All the
passions that had been smouldering un-
der the ashes broke Forth. The welcome
opportunity for settling accounts with
the enemy had come at last and with
wild rush the American ships fell upon
their victims. At the beginning the
American ire, owing TO the excitement
OF the personnel and the great distances,
was probably not very effective: but
when the Spanish admiral turned 10 the
westward and the other ships followed
him. the mora, superiority OF the Ameri-
cans reassertcd itsclf. The commanders.
calm and coolheaded. had their ships
follow the same course. and the Ameri-
cans, having every advantage on their
side, recommended the fire on the fleeing
ships. which soon resulted In their total
hnnihilation.
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