THE WAR. WHAT THE what CABLES SAY.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXVI, Issue 7, 17 June 1898, Page 20

THE WAR. WHAT THE what CABLES SAY.

No fresh or startling development li.uc i uui pUc in the u ar between America and Spain. TIl- Auienc vis ha\ < beta directing their attention to Santiago m which buibimr ihe\ li.ur block ided a Spanish fleet under Admiral Cerovra-*, by i hulk at the entrance of tho bay. The American war hips bomb.w.le.l tho torts of Santiago. At 7 in the morning, during a de .s« fog. thi ll'-et, in double column, with the Hrooklyn leading t h-* we-.tu.iMl and tho New York the eastward divisions, sent a totnnt oc [-'nulls into the forts. The Spaniards replied promptly, but their went wide. 'Die Brooklyn and Texas quickly silenced (he batteries The Brooklyn at a range of 800 yds. destroyed the i^trelki fort, while the smaller yes.-els swept the in-shore batteries. The New York and New Orleans followed, clearing the Castro and burning the Catarina forts. Owin'^ to the presence of ]ju j utenanr, llobion as a priso nor at Morro Fort, Admiral Sampson ordered it not to bt- utticked. Lieutenant Hobson, it will be rememberel. was the gallant ollicer, who amidst a shower of Bhot pluckily brought the vessel to th.- mouth of the harbour, and by sinking it effectually blocked the entrance — an act which elicited the undisguised admiration of the Sp uiish. Admiral Sampson reports that the fleet suffered no injury, and the forts were completely silenced. On the other hand Admir.il Oerevas claims that the damage done the forts was unimportant. The Xcw Yoik lleiuild ports that the American squadron sank a Spanish torpedo boat as it was attempting to enter Santiago on ! Monday night. The American authorities are afraid that the Spanish will follow th< ir umi.il course of destroying their vessels when fin.ling- themselves in a corner, and Admiral Sampson has notified the Spanish Admiral that in the event of their destroying the fleet now cooped up in Santiago harbour, America will claitn an additional indemnity equhalent to the value of the vessels, Meinwhile 2i> transport-*, with 27, 0')(> American troops and large supplies of ammunition, have sailed tor Santiago and Puerto Hico. Six additional trans-ports have al-*o Ik en chartered for the Philippine.-. The report that Spain was seeking the intervention of the powers with a view to peace has been denied at Madrid. The Spanish Premier states that Spain will not take the initiative in bringing abmt peace with the United States, n- >i is he aware that any hurope.m p'nver is disposed to mtirveiie. Despite this, hovVe\er. tne belief is gaining ground that European intervention is approaching. German mercantile interests iv the locale of tlie%\ar are large, and the Fatherland has expressed a desire for a conference with reference to the position of the Philippines