Arizona republican., 1913-08-22
WHEN CERVERA FLED
Spanish Writers Description of Scene
 at Santiago

A Spanish impression of Admiral Cerveras fleet in Santiago harbor shortly before it was destroyed by Sampson and Schley is given by Sc nor Alfonso Hernandez Cata, who was in the city besieged by the American army and fleet He says in his book La Estrella:"
 The piers were alive with people. Now and again from the file of snips, sometimes swinging obliquely at their anchorage, but never chang ing their relative intervals. would shoot out d boat bearing marines to tine shore. When they landed, the crowd would open to let them pass and a respectful murmur would fol low them. The officers wore blue uniforms, brilliant with gold lacing. They represented the common hope Of all, and perhaps for this very req son, at times. feeling the eyes of the crowd fixed upon them, they would bow their heads as though op- pressed with the weight of so many hopes.
 For the popuIacc, Spain's power seemed incorporated in those six dark craft. which had steamed in so tri- umphantIy one morning, glancinE in the sunbeams, flags and pennants fluttering the breeze, amid the plaud- it's of joy, their very salutes com municating a dash of heroic cnthusi- asm to the throng gazing at them from the shore. In the evenings among the groups discussing the lat est rumoIs on the Plaza de Armas, some expert would Vanquish the pes simism of the timid by reading eN- tracts from a' Madrid newspaper, in which by d comparison of the fleets of the contending powers, it was demonstrated to what extent fate and foresight combined favored Spain in tonnage, guns and skill
 The mere names of the Warships evoked an atmosphere of patriotism and power: Infanta Maria Teresa, Cristobal Colon, AImrante Oquenda, Vizcaya, Furor. Futon.
 And here they were in this in significant port, revealed to the notice of the world by q hazard of war, like SIX bristling claws arming one of the Spanish lions formidable paws out stretched from afar to guard the prey above which the eagle was circling.
 one morning the marines who had been embarked to reinforce the con tingent in the trenches were recalled to their ships They marched down toward the piers, formed in a column of four files, flanked by their of ficers at regular intervals. The rhythmic beat of the steps sounding
 in the ill paved streets, announced their coming from afar. and the peo- pie turned out to sec them pass. They marched with long strides, un- hCsitatingly, no smile on their faces, but with an expression tcstifyinS as much of heroism as of unconccrn. An old man watching them from d win dow said to a woman at his side: They are going to their death"
 From the esplanade behind the pier, but few witnessed the departure of the fleet. It took place in the early morning. From the tunnels of the WarShips arose dense clouds of smoke which combined in the air to form 8 kind Ot pail that hoVered above them. When they got under way profound silence reigned. The minds of all seem~d oppressed by the same an-- iuus thought. The sun, causing the ,.atcr to glow like d funeral pyre, lighted up the gay color of the flags and pennants.
 As the flagship entered the first bend of the channel, a viva rang out through the air It was a single, sonorous, enthusiastic outburst. sue ceeded by dead silence. Not q wave ruffied the water, not q breeze stirred | the air, not a cloud dimmed the sky One after the other the warships passed out of sight, and continuous ] booming of cannon gave the certain ! ty that at this moment q supreme combat was taking place, with all its | horrors of destruction and death, be | hind the serene hills leaving the bay l deserted. Only the distant sky gild- ! eG by the suns rays.