Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1901-09-12
The Matter IN controver.v.

In accordance with the plans Of the
navy Departmental a flying squadron was
organized, with base OF operations at
Fort Monroe, for the protection OF any
point on the Atlantic coast that might
be menaced by the hostile Spanish fleet.
This squadron was placed under COM
mand of Commodore w. S. Schley.
Meanwhile the Spanish fleet, which
had been fitted and sent out under com
mand of Admiral Cervera, was ap-
preaching the United States
Thru Its secret agents in Havana and
elsewhere the navy department had
been informed that Cervera was under
Instructions to reach Havana, or some
port connected by rail with the capital
as he carried munitions of war for its
defense. Instructions We're accordingly
forwarded to observe and, If necessary,
blockade Cienfuegos, on the south coast
OF Cuba, as the only port affording the
conditions favorable for reaching Ha-
vana. Accordingly the flying squadron,
under Schley, sailed from Key West for
Cienfuegos, with Instructions to estab-
lish blockade at that port with all dis
patch. 1t arrived OFF Cienfuegos May 20,
wher the original fleet, composed Of the
Brooklyn. Texas, Massachusetts and
Scorpion, was later augmented by the
Iowa. Castine and the collier Merrimac.
The, same day the navy department re-
ceived information that Cervera was re-
ported at Santiago de Cuba and SO in
formed Sampson. who at once dis
patched the Marblehead with advices to
Schley ordering him. IL Cervera was not
at Cienfuegos, to proceed with all haste
to Santiago. On the 224 Sampson, then
OFF Havana. received dispatch from
Key West stating that Cervera's squad
ron undoubtedly had been In the harbor
of Santiago on the morning of ths pre-
vious day, but that 1t was expected 1t
might sail for San Juan, Porto Rico, and
IL Schley had found that 1t had left San
tiago he should promptly order him to
follow In pursuit. Sampson was then
blockading Havana and the north coast,
but he at once sailed eastward to pre-.
vent the possible approach of the Span
ish squadron thru the channel In that
direction. On the 26th he received a.
letter from Schley. dated May %, stat.
ing that he was by no means satisfied
the Spanish squadron was not at Cien-
fuegos. "A dispatch boat was sent on
the 9th with urgent orders for Schley
meanwhile cable dispatches were res
ceived from him stating that he had as
certained the Spanish fleet was in that
port. and that on account of short coal
supply he could not blockade the Span
ish ships in Santiago. but would proceed
to Nicolas mole, Haiti from which
point he would communicate.
Sampson then cabled Schley from
Key West that the New Orleans would
meet him Oft Santiago and to make
every effort to ASCERTAIN the location of
Cervera's squadron. Leaving Cienfue-.
gos May "a Schley steamed to a point
about twenty miles eouthward and
eastward of Santiago. where he sig
nailed his squadron that the destination
was Key West for coal. On the morn
ing OF the 9th the Harvard brought
him this dispatch:
Washington. via Mole st. Nicholas,
May 25. 1Sss.-All departments infor-
nation indicates Spanish division is
still at Santiago. The department looks
to you to ascertain facts and that the
enemy. II therein, does not leave with
out decisive action. Cubans familiar
with Santiago say that thcre are land
ing places five or six nautical miles
west from the mouth OF harbor ana that
there insurgents Will be found and not
the Spanish. From the surrounding
heights can e every vessel In port. AS
soon as ascertained notify the depart
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