Fleets To Unite

Washington, May 10.- The state department giVes out the followlng: Official information has been received that four Spanish cruisers and three torpedo boat destroyers have returned to Cádiz. New York, May 10. - A special from London says that a cipher dispatch received here from Cádiz reports the return to the place last named of foúr cruisers, one torpedo boat and three torpedo boat destroyers, comprising, it is alleged, a part of the Cape Verde fieet. Washington, May 10.- It can be stated on the best of authority that the naval war board is basing contemplated aetion by Admiral Sampson's fighting squadron on a set of circumstanees not heretofore made public. One f the best strategists in the service of the government says that no one con-'-"ted fcith the navy department is looking for a battle with Spaniards immediately. All calculations are founded upan the presumption that the Cape Verde fleet wlH be joined by ships that have been at Cadiz making ready for sea. The Cape Verde fieet. it is believed by our strategists. left St. Vincent with orders to sail slowly, the maximum speed to bp made at no time to be more than five knots an hour. Cadiz Fleet En Route. At this rate the trip acros the Atlantic would require considerably more than the time allowed by _ amateur strategists. The line of travel' from St. Vincent to Porto Rico is direct. The line of travel from Cadiz to Porto Rico cuts across the Cape Verde line in the center of the ocean. The Cadiz fieet is reported to have passed Cape Espichel, Portugal, at half-past 1 o'clock. This fleet, steaming at top speed, and the Cape Verde fleet moving at a snaJl's pace, would doubtless come together in the vicinity of Barbadoes, providing both proceeded straight. It is probably true that the Cape Verde fleet veered enough to the north to head in the dirction of Porto Rico, and that by any chance a junction at sea with the Cadiz fleet of nine vessels is missed, another meeting place has been arranged for. Opinión of the Experts. It is the consensus of expert opinión here that the Spaniards do not intend to risk the loss of a part of their navy; on the contrary, it is their impression that if they come against us with their full strength they will be able either to defeat us or give us a brush that will raise the standard of their fighting ability at home, where their incompetence is having the effect of disturbing the populalace and threatening the safety of the dynasty. Taking it for granted then that when Sampson gets into battle it will be with the entire Spanish navy, there is some doubt expressed as to whether he has ships enough with him to cope with the enemy. But Commodore Schley is ready to steam out of Hampton Roads at a moment's notice, either to go to Havana for the purpose of reinforcing the blockading squadron or to join Sampson.