May Force The Harbor

Washington, May 31.- Secretary Long had no Information from Schley concerning the early movement. There is a lurking suspicion that the world wlll soon learn that Schley has forced his way into Santiago harbor anddestroyed the imprisoned fleet without waiting for the co-operation of the land forces. Secretary Long believes Commodore Schley should be permitted to destroy the fleet without delay, but his naval board of strategy is not of the same mind. Tt is reported that these advisers believe the commodore should not risk the loss üf one or two valuable vessels in his efforts to get at the armada, but await the result of a blockade or the co-operation of land forces. If reports made by navigators concerning the foul condition of the ships in Cervera's fleet, his half-clad an1 half-paid sailors and his scant coal supply are true, his position, to the minds of the naval stategists, must be desperate. There is a strong di'sposition to credit these stories here. because he has had no opportunity to have the vessels docked or repaired since they started on their long voyage. The longer the SpaniRh admiral remains In Santiacro the worse his condition will become, for the harbor has no coal or other supplies and no facilities for docking or repairing. The warm waters of southern Cuba produce barnacles and marine growth on the bottoms of ships very rapidly. Cervera would probably not be caught without steam on, and to carry this constantly requires a vast amount of coal, although the vessels are at anchor. The consumption of fuel alcne is a question of serious character, especially as there is not believed to be coal enough at Santiago to supply one vessel. Asi de from fuel, the stock of provisions is reported be low and if it is true that when tne ships were in Curacao the men were then on half rations, their condition must bê worse now and will continue to grow so.