Evening Star Newspaper, May 10, 1898, Page 1

THE EVENING STAR. ee a PUBLISHED DAILY EXCEPT SUNDAY. AT THE STAR BUILDINGS, 31€] Fenrsylvania Avenue, Cor. 1th St, by ab Brey ses Berar Sew York On Poet uns ‘The Evening Star fs served to subscribers tn the aty by ctrriers, on thee own account, at 10 cents per week, or 44 cents per month. Copies at the ccunter 2 certs each. By mail—anywhere in the United States «r Canada—postage prepaid—S0 cents moath. rurday Quintuple Sheet Star, $1 per year, with forefgn postage added, $3. n(Katered at ch fice at Washington, D. C.. ter.) (Entered at the Po 8 must be pald in advance. Rates of advertising made known on appliicotior.. 1 Che £ve No. 14,100, WASHINGTON, DOs TUESDAY, MAY 10, 1898—FOURTEEN PAGES. TWO CEN ee ee WO Gar | If you want to buy, sel’ or exchange anything, lease property or rent rooms, want a situation or want help, it will pay you to announce the fact in the advertising columns of The Star. They are closely studied by more than three times as many people as read any other paper. TO MOVE UPON CUBA! \six:"e2e%r.eeron IIT WAS A REAL FIGHT [ocr ccrttne Seeor=™] aT THE WHITE HOUSE | sane ™ nme Within a Week Troops Will Be on Their Way From Florida. i GENERAL MILES 70 LEAVE TOMORROW ae Gen. Sewell to Command Local Camp at Falls Church. POINTS OF MOBILIZATION Commander Hemphill is to be] 4, given command of the dynamite cruiser Buffalo, formerly the Nicthe- Troy. Mr. Roosevelt said farewell today to the officers and clerks of the Navy Department. Gen. Miles will leave tonight for Tampa, Fla., and will go with the first military expedition to Cuba. . It is expected that within‘a week the first troops will be on their way from the United States to Cuba. Mr. Palma, representative of the Cuban republic, arrived from New York and is expecting important ad- vices from Gen. Gomez. The Senate passed a bill providing for a volunteer signal corps and con- cuited in the House amendments to the bill providing for 10,000 immunes and a volunteer brigade of engineers. There was a conference between the President and Secretaries Long and Alger today in regard to the de- tails of the invasion of Cuba. Gen. Miles was called in. The order calling out one regi- ment of the District National Guard was issued today. Gen. Sewell has been assigned to command the camp of concentration near Falls Church, Va. By Friday morning the commanding gen- eral of the Uniteu States army, Major Gen- eral Miles, will have mbled his staff around him at Tampa, Fla. He leaves Washington tomorrow at 10 o'clock, taking th him Colonel Michler, Colonel Maus, el Greenleaf, Major Osgood, Major mphries, Captain Seyburn and Captain t. Only one member of the staff, Cap- will remain at army headquar- . and he will follow the general ~ soon as he business at . who tain ters within two or three da can turn over the c of the to another offi army headquarters is to be designated to that place for that < General Miles and his staff will be quartered temporarily at one of the hotels aut Tampa, and unless this plan is changed later on, the general will go with the first expeditionary force to Cuba. He t expected to relieve the major already selected for that tas! juct of that campaign allotted to them, but in Florida and in Cuba he will exercise the same general superintendence over the aign that he now does from his he hington. The arrange- ments for the move upon Cuba are being hastened with such energy that it is evi- dent to any observer that the beginning of the campaign is imminenc. It is expected here that within a week the ‘first troops will be on their way from the United States The only delay will arise from difficulty of securing of transports tered merchant shipping, and the quarter- aster’s department is making superhu- ‘aan efforts to assemble a sufficient number i these ships at the gulf ports in time to receive the troops who are even now on their way there. General Wheeler left for Chickamauga at 1i o'clock today, and the statement is made on high authority that 20,000 American sol- will be landed in Cuba before Satur- It is said that from this on there will be no dragging in either military or naval rations. Sampson will either destroy Spanish fleet and take Porto Rico, or take wi Porto Rico without seeing the fleet, nin a day or two, and that by that time matters will be far advanced toward the occupation of Cuba by the large army in- tended to be sent there. Orders have been given for 10,000 ham- mocks to be furnished immediately for the use of the army, and these are to be de- livered, beginning immediately within the next fortnight. Experts have reported that *% hammock is an absolute necessity in a Cuban campaign. It is the only means to escape the vermin which otherwise makes sible to the soldier, and it is P way he can escape the fatal dampness of the dank, rich soil. Several of the new major generals were the War Department today endeavoring to arrange for the detail of their staffs and other matters necessary to their tak- ing up active service. Among them were Gen. Lee, Gen. Wilson and Gen. Wheeler. Probably Gen. Lee is under more pressure than any of his brother major generals in the appointment of his staff. There are probably twenty applicants for every place, a@ tribute to the personal popularity of the general. He declared today that he had not yet been able to complete his selection. Promotion of Capt. Black. The engineer officers nominated yester- day for promotion were selected with a view to their assignment to staff duty. Included in the list is Capt. William M. Black, at present one of the Commissioners of the District of Columbia, who is nomi- nated for promotion to the rank of Heu- tenant colonel. Lieut. Col. Black bears a very high reputation as a scientifie and capable engineer officer, and several of the new major generals are having a con- test to secure his assignment to duty on their staffs. Lieut. Col. Black was among the first engineer officers to volunteer for active service In this campaign, and with that end he expected to relinquish the tm- portant post to which he had been assign- ed as Engineer Commissioner of the Dis- triet of Columbia. It fs said at the War Department, however, that inasmuch as the District regulations permit the assist- ant to the Engineer Commissioner to as- sume the duties of that office during the absence of the Commissioner, Capt. Beach, Lieut. Col. Black's assistant, wili under- ake to assume the ee as Engineer Com- oner temporarily. If the war is not prolonged beyend the expectation of the Department officials Lieut. Col. Black will resume his duties as Engineer Commis- er of the District at the conclusion of ities. Capt. Goethals, also nominated to be a tenant colenel, is at present one of the ued of the assistants to Gen. Wil- ief of engineers, but at his earnest . he has been assigned to staff duty, pending the operations of the or- ade a short time ago assigning him to West Point. It is a tribute to Lieut. Col. Goethals’ high reputation as an en- gineer officer and a soldier that both Maj. Gen. Brooke and Maj. Gen. Wheeler should have applied for his assignment to their staffs. Gen. Sewell at Falls Church. Maj. Gen. Sewell has been assigned to ccmmand the concentration camp near Falls Church, Va. This is taken as an in- d.cation that the general has concluded to accept his military commission, risking his tenure of office as a senator thereby. The erder issued from the War Department tu- day reads as follows: “The following named officers should be ordered to report to the adjutant general for duty with the troops to go into camp at Washington, D. C.: Maj. Gen. Sewell, Brigs. Gen. Poland Kent Young, Randall, Schwan and J. C. None ef the corps commands has yet been assigned finally, although the entire list of comriands has been prepared and is under consideration by the President. The three civilian major generals are not to receive such commands, but are assigned to command divisions. Gens. Lee, Wilson and Wheeler go to Chattanooga for duty under Gen. Brooke, who will command one of the army corps. Regular Troops Ordered Awny. The War Department officials admitted today that all the Tegular troops now at Crickamauga had been ordered away. They refuse most poSitively, however, to tell the destination of the troops, contending that to do so would be simply to invite attacks by Sp: hh naval vessels upon ihe trans- perts which will convey the troops. The volunteers will take up the camps aban- dened by the regulars in Chickamauga Park, just as soon as they can be carried there, so that the movement should begin almost immediately. Assignment of Brigadiers. Nine of the new brigadier generals have been assigned to duty under Maj. Gen. Brooke and will lick the raw recruits into shape at Camp George H. Thomas. They are Brig. Gens. Briggs, Compton, re Sumner, Snyder, Henry, Lawton, Chafee and Davis. Gen. Schwan, who is one of the brigadier generals assigned to duty at the Washing- ton concentration camp, is at present prin- cipal aidgto Adjt. Gen. Corbin, and has ‘ust been prometed to the grade of brigadier general. Changing Mobilizing Points. Changes in the original mobilizing points of volunteers have been made in a number of cases. There were several reasons for these changes, the main one being the de- cision to at once begin an active campaign in Cuba and to send troops to the Philip- pines. Those from Montana, said Senator Carter, who was at the War Department this morning, would be directed to proceed promptly to San Francisco for passage to Manila. There is a full regiment of 960 men fully equipped and ready for servic It is also said chat the regiment of in- fantry from Colorado will in all probabilily be ordered to the Philippines. Col. Russell Harrison, who is here look- ing after the interests of the Indiana Na- tional Guard before the War Department, today received a dispatch from the mili- tary setretary of Governor Mcunt, saying that two regiments of infantry and two batteries were fully equipped and ready to move. Mr. Harrison says this is the best record shown by any state. From Gover- nor Mount came a dispatch saying “Any assignment of Indiana troops by the War Department will have my approval. They are willing to go and I am willing they go where they can do the most good. Our quota Is in first class condition.” Mr. Har- rison says the two regiments of Indiana troops and the light battery, which were erdered to Chickamauga, wiil instead go to New Orleans. Representative Mercer of Nebraska, was at the War Department endeavoring to se- cure a change in the local rendezvousing point of the volunteers from his state from Lincoln to Omaha. The exposition opens in the latter city on the first of June and the management thinks it would be de- sirable and a matter of satisfaction for the visitors, especially those from the state, to witness the encampment of the soldiers before embarking on their important mis- sion. Mr. Mercer received some encourage- ment from the officials, who will if possible comply with the wishes of the manage- ment. Major Kellogg’s Return. Major Sanford C. Kellogg of the 4th Cav- alry, who for several years haz been United States military attache at Paris, has just returned from his post. He will remain in Washington only long enough to straighten up his affairs, and will then be assigned to active duty in connection with the war. Major Kellogg was on General Sheridan's staff when he was in command of the army and has a large circle of friends in Wash- ington, who gave him a hearty welcome on bis return. Assignment of Corps Commanders. At the War Department it was under- stood that the assignments as corps com- manders to the volunteers army would be announced very soon, and in view of this Secretary Alger had a number of callers prominent in public life who submitted ar- guments In behalf of their friends. Major Bliss Reports. Maj. T. H. Bliss, fornierly military at- tache of the United States legation at Madrid. returned home with Minister Woodford and reported to the adjutant general of the army this morning for as- signment to duty. He has recently been promoted a lieutenant colonel in the com- missary general's department. —e—-_____ Mr. Ermentrout Renominated. READING, Pa., May 10.—The democratic county convention met here this afternoon and renominated Representative Ermen- trout for a sixth term. eo Virginia Defeats Georgetown. The University of Virginia defeated Georgetown University in the first inning yesterday. be tos ietints Dowd out of os box. Georgetawn, Batteries, j Been “ind Hi i Bach and Maloney. < Bod —_——_— Call by the Controller. ‘The controller of the currency issued a call for the condition of national banks at the close of business May 5, , IT WAS A REAL FIGHT Setto Between the Winslow and Three Spanish Gunbzats. SUCH INCIDENTS BECOMING FREQUENT Our Ships May Not Always Fare so Well. MESSENGERS FROM GOMEZ Special From a Staff Correspondent. KEY WEST, Fla., May 10.—Between the firing frcm Havana shore batteries and the firing. from Spanish gunboats along the coast, the possibility of an “incident” in the blockade grows. Dispatch boats wh arrived this morning report that no further shots have been fired off Havana up to midnight, though there was mnusua! activi- ty In the neighborhood of Santa Clara hat- terles. The torpedo boat Winslow's brush Cardenas Monday morning seems to have been in the nature of a real fight. The Spanish have one fair-si: the Ligari, and several launches, e fit- ted out with guns. They r: well out of Cardenas bay-and did not hesitate t8 engage the Winslow at long range, ich off gunboat, hich a pretty but without damage to the latter, whose offi- cers are sure they disabled one of the Spanish gunboa » Which was escorted back to the safe shelter of the bay by the others. So far, the torpedo boats, in teasing small shore batteries and in drawing the fire from gunboats. have been singularly fortunate in escaping damage from chance shots of the enemy. This good fortune may not al- ways continue. Commodore Watson has not yet changed his pennant from the Cincinnati. Messengers Leave Today. Messengers who reached Key West from Gomez's camp Sunday were not able to leave for Washington until this morning. Their information is useful so far as it re- the insurgents. Commander-in-Chief Go- mez is sincere in his belief that if he is given arms and ammunition and rations, with artillery, he can make a successful campaign against the Spanish forces with- out the necessity of landing iarge bodies of American troops. But this matter had better be decided by the War Department after its own investi- gations are made independently of the in- formation from the insurgents. It is a question of military tactics which cannot with safety be left to the judgment of surgent generals. Gomez can march his army to within gun- shot of Havana. After that it would be a hazardous assumption that the co-opera- tion of one or two regiments of artillery would enable him to take the city. In their three years’ campaign the insurgents have had practically no experience in assaulting fortified and heavily garrisoned cities. Great Need of Rations. Meanwhile, the most pressing need of the insurgent army is for rations. That need extends to the whole Cuban people, women, children and old men, who are not under arms. The Spanish authorities have seized the supplies in all the towns, and even if the Cubans had money—which they have not—they would be unable to buy food. The Spanish authorities told the Cubans to go to the woods for subsistence. PEPPER. TOO MANY FOR THE WINSLOW. Plucky Torpedo Bont Runs Foul of Three Gunbonts. (Copyright, 1898, by Associated Press.) ON BOARD THE ASSOCIATED FRESS DISPATCH BOAT KATE SPENCER, OFF CARDENAS, May 9 (via Key West, Fla.), May 10.—The little torpedo boat Winslow yesterday morning precipitated the first naval engagement fought in Cuban wa- ters. On a reconnoissance in Cardenas har- bor she drew the fire of three Spanish ccest-guard vessels and a lively vest-pock- et sea fight followed with the tiny gun- beats. As the Winslow was decidedly in the minority she ran for the open sea, where her big station mate, the gunboat Machias, who had been called up by the firing, took a hand in the game with her four-inch’ rifles and tossed several shells over the low sand spit behina which the Spanish boats were sheltered. It was im- pessible to see whether any of these land- ed. The Winslow was rot touched, but she claims to have knocked a few splinters out of the darger coast-guard boat. Cardenas Harbor is Mined. ‘The most important result of the Wins- low’s reconnojssance was the discovery that Cardenas harbcr is mined. If there were any batteries on shore, the Spaniards did not think it worth while to disclose their position. That there are mines in the channel is important in view of the report that it is Cardenas and not Matan- zas where the landing of United States forces wil] be made. The fight with the guardia costa occurred yesterday morning. Cardenas is one of the largest bays along the coast, tewn of the same name lying at the scuthern end. From the western shore Ictcas point reaches out like a long index finger, aimost touching Piedras Key light, which in peaceful days beaconed the har- bor entrance. The light house has been in derkness and deserted for many nights. Wh the little low Crept Quietly In. their cover, undera full oa of steam, like a big gar-pike after a minnow. The Winslow's €rew jumped to the two- peunders fore and aft and let the Spaniards have it, port and starboard, as they chased in. Tbe little gunboats came along, shoot- ing, but, after the usual Spanish fashion, hit nothing but the adjacent scenery. Then the Winslow scuttled along for the open sea, using her efter gun on the stzrn chaser and defiantly shooting as she went along. Spanish Wasted Their Shot. The Spanish heats wasted about sixty shots, and the biggest boat, mounting a twelve-pounder, kept up the bombardment as long as the Winslow was in range. Th Spaniards, who had probably heard the news from Manriia, were evidently as mad as a nest of hornets, and kept up the chase until all four of the little craft were rock- ing in the sw2! pest Piedras Keys. Just then there was a crash and a roar tu seaward, and the Machias, bearing in under a@ canopy of smoke, sent a shell smashing into the pursuing fleet. The little patrol boats spun mi like water spiders, and ran to shalier beyord the sand spit. The Machias sent a few shells skipping in be- tween “the sand dures, but with what ef- fect could not be seen. At any rate, there are three prosp2ctive additions to our mésquito fleet bottled up in Cardenas hs ee pealeres EoD ment SPANIARDS ‘LE “LEAVING CUBA French £choolship Takes Refugees Out of Havana. Lafayette Lands 150 P: engers—Will Have to Prove That Her Cargo ix Unbroken. (Copyright, 1898, By Assoclated Press.) ON BOARD THE ASSOCIATED PRESS DISPATCH BOAT KATE SPENCER, OF} EAVANA, May 8 (via Key West, Fia.), May 10.—The French slocp-of-war Fulton, a school ship, passed eut of Havana~harbor at about 4 o'clock yesterday afternoon un- molested by the blockading fle2t. The ‘American warships lying outside closed in on her when she was spied in the osfing, and the Mayflower, temporarily fiyig the admiral’s pennant, passed close 2nough to her to examine her :with marine glasses, The Mayflower dipped her flag and the Ful- ton returned the salute. The Mayfio then signaled to the other ships aud they all hauled off and gave the Frenchman a wide berth. The Associated Press dispatch bi ran alongsid2 the Fulton, within easy hailing distance. Aboard of the Frengh vessel were quite a number of Spanish refugees, who crowded up to the rails. Several of them were wo- men, evidently of the weaithy class, judg- ing from their apparel. There were doubt- less some French ciffzens among the refu- gees, but the majority were unquestionably Spanish, The Kate Spencer silutea the tri-color as she passed under the Fulton’s stern and the salute was acknowledged. Some of the sailors swung théir ‘caps above their heads, ut the refugees af the rails looked sullen jand made ne sign. The Fulton headed west southwest, prob- ably bound for Vera Cruz, Mexico. The officers of the blockading fleet are very much chagrined because the French line steamer Lafayette was allowed to enter Havana harbor last Friday, as they are convinced that she carrfed arms and munitions of , but, as one of them re- marked: “Uncle Sam can afford to be gen- crous, a8 no amount of contraband of war can help Spain now.’ The courtesy asked by the French gov- ernment was that the Lafayette be allowed to land 150 passengers. A vigilant watch is being kept, and when she leaves Havana she will be required to show affirmatively that her cargo is unbroken. Failing, she may yet become a subject for the prize court. Sacaenne WITH SCHLEY AT OLD POINT. Great Activity in Dlect, but No News of Sailing. OLD POINT COMFORT, Va., May 10 (on beard the flagshin Brooklyn, off Fort Mon- ro2).—The first clear, day, with beautiful weather, that has ed the flying squad- ron began this mgrning. On the ships ail is bustle, although the squadron officers dis- claim any knowlédge of an early move- ment. The New Orieacs was not allow2d to go up to Newport News for coal, but at 6 o'clock this morning began taking on coal from the lighters alongside, and will finish -coaling that way. ‘The St. Paul, being of Ughter draught, Will be able to run_in dock at Newport j News for her six hundred tons of coal. The Minneapolis coaled this morning to her full capacity, and joined the squadron later. Captain Folger of th New Orleans says that the stories of his ship making a very slow voyage down the coast are without foundation. He did not leave Newport on Thursday last, as stated, but on Saturday night, and a.rived at the capes on Sunday, but thought it wise to stay outside until Monday morning, There was a night call to battl2 on all the ships last night, and the celerity with which the crews responded Was quite remarkable, No preparations were made and. the majority of the men were asleap, but the guns on all the ships were ready to shootin less than six min- utes. To SEIZE CA CA ISLANDS. Government Ur; Action by Churches With Missionaries There. SAN FRANCISCO, Cal, May 10—The ckurches here which. have missionaries in th south Pacific it. the government to selze the Caroling Islands. The leaders have held a meeting, and decided to appeal to the President to take {his course. Th2 Caroline Islands are of the Spanish Possessions. They d only a few years ago, and the ernor gen2ral of the Philippines rules oer: them. ‘The missionaries here say that the natives are well.armed with American rifles, and would hav? driven out the Spanish long ago had it not been for fear of a gunboat. This Feeling safe in the desolation of the light | #0-called war vessel is one of the impro- house and the silence ashore, the little vised kind and hardly a warship, but she is Winslow crept quietly in, under ths early | Of Sufficient strength to overawe the na- morning haze, for a closer inspection of | tlves- One shot from the Charleston, how- the harbor. There had evidéntly been a lookout from the dunes along the sand spit, Mtor the Winslow was allowed to fes1 her | they could be way into the harbor, taking notes of chang- ed buoys and false marks designed to lead | in€ Sufficient » hostile fleet on to torpedo fields. But suddenly there was a puff of smoke from among tha mangrove clumps along one of the inlets, and a 6-pound shell screeched out of the bushes. Crack came another} D¢ V9 from the shelter of a tiny key in the: bay, | and a third from further down the coast. Then thres coast guard boats darted from to the wishes and to the opinion of 2ver, would demolish have no land defen: The Carolines and it is believed the mere the bei of t : g LONDON, 10.4William ‘A. Aubrey Beauclerk, tehth of St. al bans, hereditary- oetue bgp o! : An Important Conference Held There ‘nel Astor looks anything but a soldier, but AT THE WHITE HOUSE Today, ————— INVASION OF CUBA DISCUSSED General Miles Called in by the President and Secretary Alger. ACTION WITHIN TEN DAYS Today's regular cabinet meeting was by far the shortest and most unimportant since long before the beginning of the war with Spain. Neither Secretary Long nor Secretary Al- ger had a report of any consequence to make. Secretary Long was not in the cabinet room twenty minutes, and when he went away said he did not have a word of news from the vicinity in which Ad- miral Sampson is supposed to be operating. The Secretary did not venture an opinion as to when this news may come, as he has been disappointed in not receiving some- thing before this. There was little discussion in the cabinet abcut the expected battle with the Spanish fleet, for the reason that there was noth- ing before the President's advisers to war- rant anything more than speculation, and for the reason that some cabinet officials do not believe the Spanish fleet is any- where near Porto Rico waters. The Presi- dent was absolutely unadvised in any trustworthy manner as to what may be Jooked for. The shrewdness of the Spaniards in keep- ing the movements of their vessels secret is appreciated by the administration, which is constantly kept guessing as to what may happen. It is understood that every effort is being put forward, through all channels, to find out something detinite. Secretary Alger and Postmaster General Smith remained with the President long after the cabinet had adjourned. The lat- ter talked with the President about post office appointments and General Alger talk- ed over military appomtments yet to be made. There are many positions yet to be filled in the army. Adjutant G Corbin was called into the conference and Was present for a time. Cabinet members today all learn that it is the purpose of the war authorities to speedily start an expedition to Cuba. A photographer arrived to take a picture of the President and his war cabinet, but Gid not succeed because of the early ad- jcurnment of the meeting. Gen. Miles Called In, General Miles was called into the con- ference between the President and Seere- tary Alger later in the afternoon. After concluding the talk about appointments they discussed further details of, the in- vasion of Cuba. The understanding now is that the invasion will take place within ten days and that between 60,000 and 75,- Qv0 will be landed. The troops will be tanded earlier than that if possible. “The President is determined to end the war as soon as possible,’ said an official who knows of the present plans. Within three or four days, it is stated, Admiral Sampson will have completed the work cut cut for him and will be in posi- tion to send a portion of his fleet to Ha- vana to aid a the attack to be made by land and sea. Woodford to Remain a Diplomat. The President, it is understood, intends that General Stewart L. Woodford, the minister to Madrid, shall retain his diplo- matic capacity, te return to Madrid after the war is brought to a close and dipto- matic relations are restored. This state- ment is made by a well-known senator cognizant of the facts. Gen. Woodford’s first knowledge of the intention to confer a major genersiship om him was on his meeting with the Presidegt on the latter's summons to come imn:ediately to Wash- ington after landing at New York. The of- fer then made was promptly declined, and unless there is seme unforeseen contin- gency Gen. Woodford eventually will re- turn to Madrid. After Appointments. Pursuit of military and naval appoint- ments continues at the White House and departments. The President had many visitors today before and after the cabinet meeting. Senators Mason and Cullom and Repre- sentative Belknap of Illinois are still trying to have the Chicago Naval Reserve assign- ed to duty, and called to see the President about the matter today. They also make some recommendations for army appoint- ments. Senators Davis, Lodge, Shoup, Fairbanks and Platt of New York also had business on different affairs with the Pres- ident. So did Representatives Grosvenor, Taylor, Mercer, Steele and others. Senator Wellingtcn and Serator-elect Mc- Comas again saw the President about the Maryland appointments agreed upon sev- eral days ago. General Grosvenor, ex-Judge Thompson, ex-Representative D. K. Watson and other Ohioans called to see the President regard- ing the Columbus, Ohio, post Office. It is said Senators Hanna and Foraker have been opposing each other over this place. Senator Hanna wanted R. W. Rownd given the place. Senator Foraker apposed Mr. Rownd. No agreement could be reached until yesterday, when Senator Foraker withdrew his opposition on condition that he should have his way in certain appoint- ments yet to be made. After concessions all around, the President was this morning requested to nominate Mr. Rownd. Lieut. Col. Astor Calls. John Jacob Astor, the young muti-mil- lionaire of New York, who was yesterday appointed an inspector general of the army, by President McKinley, visited the White House today in company. with Lieutenant Colonel Roosevelt. Mr. Astor's ition gives him the rank of Heutenant el. Tall, thin and awkward, Lieutenant Colo- he is on fire to get to the front. He has caught the enthusiasm of Colonel Roose- velt, and wants action. He pleaded earn- estly with the President to assiga him 1 duty which will carry him to the troat, but the President did not say what he would do, “Will you be attached to the staff of Lieutenant Colonel Roosevelt's regiment?” Mr. Astor was asked. < “I do not know,” he “but I would like to get to the front at once. I am anxious for duty. I am tostry-10 patted cg aliasing irc me.” _ ae eee a hen asked about his the front, but is not se layed in going to the front until it is pro- vided with arms. Colonel -Roosevelt !s pushing the matter of securing arms for his troopers. A Souvenir Presented. Capt. Thomas J. Spencer and Alex. W. Connelly, federal veterans of the last war, presented President McKinley with a hand- some souvenir today. It contained a picture of the President when he was a soldier boy in 1861 and a photograph of himself as he now looks. Both pictures were in the same frame, which was adorned with flags and bunting. Given a Cane. President McKinley was today presented with a cane of historic interest. The pres- entation was made by Robert R. Jones of Harrisburg,.Pa. The cane is made from the mahogany of one of the window frames of the old state house at Harrisburg, erect-] ONE COMMAND ed in 1819, and recently d2stroyed by fire. The inscription on top is on a bit of the old bell which hung in the tower. Want to Menace Spain. It was suggested by prominent White House visitors today that if nothing is learned of the Spanish fleet within three or four days the administration send Com- modore Schley’s squadron to Spain to men- ace the Spaniards and to bring out the whereabouts of the Spanish ships. It was admitted, however, that such a move would invite the Spanish fleet to the unprotected coast of this country. ———- o-___ WHERE THE SPANIARDS ARE. Good Reasons for BeHeving the Fleet Near Porto Rico. It is understood in congressional circles that the Navy Deparcment has excellent reasons for the assumption that the Span- ish fleet is in the vicinity of Porto Rico. It is said that evidence that the Spanish fleet was sailing in that direction was re- garded as convincing before the Sampson fleet was sent out to meet it, and that since then there has been stronger indica- tion that the department was correct in this judgment. The fact that, according to latest advices up to nocn today, Samp- son's fleet had not come across the Spanish does not prove that the Cape Verde fleet is not in those waters. The arrival ofa supply ship at Porto Rico and the fact that a Spanish transport carry’ ing coal has been in that neighborhood are regarded as indicating the approach of the fleet. It is calculated that the ficet Probably took a more southerly course than that traversed by our sccut cruisers, and in that way may avoid detection until very close to Porto Rico. The idea that the Oregon is the ob- Ject of attack is still not credited. At the time of the sailing of the Spanish ficet from Cape Verde it was announced that, while the fleet went west (certainly for twelve hou: two transports and three torpedo boats were sent back to the Canary Islands. It was thought that if the west- erly course taken by the fleet were merely a move to de it would take a wide circle and join the transports and torpedo boats going to the Canaries, The announcement in a London dispatch that the transports and torpedo boats have arrived at the Canaries, without the rest of the fleet, is regarded as confirming the theory that the fleet kept on toward Porto Rico. The reported cutting of the cable betweea Montevideo and Rio Grande do Sul is thought hardly to have any bearing on the Spanish question. It is said that that cable is frequently out of. order. ———e——____ EXPECTING WORD FROM GOMEZ. Bringing Palma. President Palma, representative of the Cuban republic, arrived here this morning from New York, and is expecting import- ant advices direct from Gen. Gomez. He received a dispatch last night Stating that a ccurier from Gen. Gomez's camp had Jas ed through Key West and was now on his way to Wakhington with letters from Gomez. The courier probably will not reach here“before tcmorrow at the ear! @st. In the meantime Brig. Gen. Nunez, who is just back from heading a party which made a juncture with Gomez, will arrive this afternoon to confer with Mr. Palma. it is probable that the advices direct from the Cuban commander in the field will bring about further conferences between the Cuban authorities here and the officials of the War Department. Mr. Palma today expressed his views on the battle at Manila, saying it was im- pertant in that it furnished conc proof of a fact he had long known, namely, ee the Spanish navy, was merely “paper” navy and was ‘utterly incapable of conducting modern naval warfare. “In the first place, Admiral Montejo’s fleet was taken by surprise,” said he. “That is a whole lesson in itself. We have heard much from Spanish sources as to the lack of discipline and the crudeness in the American nuvy. But here, at the very first practical test, the Spanish fleet confmitted the very worst and most inexcusabie offense of al- lowing itself to be taken by surprise. And this occurred not oniy when war was in pregress, but when Admi!fal “Montejo knew the American fleet was nearing him. In the face of this, the surprise and defeat of the Spanish fleet shows complete lack of discipline and of that keen alertness which is the first essential of a discipline which insures defense.” Mr. Quesada, representative of the Cuban delegation in this city, added the statement that the wiping aut of the Spanish ships Like so many cockle-shells made plain the fact, well known to those familiar with Spain's naval resources, that she had a lot of old wooden craft, which would suffice for dress parade in times of peace, and wouid give an outward appearance of the Possession of an actual navy. The Spanish naval otficers, Mr. Quesada said, were about the best feature of the Spanish ser- vice, but they were powerless as a result of corrupt administration of naval affairs at Madrid. The guns had none of the mod- ern mechanism, and the gunners were un- practiced. All this, he said, had served to place the Spanish ships at the mercy of the strorg, modern armament under Commo- dcre Dewey. Mr. Quesada said the first re- verse of this “paper navy” was simply a forecast of what would follow when the same class of worthless ships with worth- less guns and worthless gunners met Ad- miral Sampson and other commanders of the American fleets. ‘ —_— 2 Wheat Goes Skyward. CHICAGO, May 10.—Wheat today seem- ed te be reaching for the sky. The May eption touched $1.80, the topmost figure ‘yet. July wheat covered a range of kay cents during a period of forty-five minutes’ trading. Alter'a lower and irregular ‘Open- A Courier Advices to FOR AFULL REGIMENT Orders Issued by War Department te Brigadier General Harries, aps DISTRICT QUOTA OF VOLUNTEER ARMY ——— List of Regimental and Company Officers Selected. eee MUSTERED Official orders were issued this morning from th> War Department providing for the muster into the service of the United States of one regiment of volunteers from the District, as follows: “WAR DEPARTMENT, “Adjutant General's Office, “Washington, May 10, 1808. “Under the authority of the President, the commanding general of the National Guard of the District of Columbia will or- ganize one regiment of infantry of twelve companies, each of the minimum strength of seventy-seven enlisted men, for muster into the volunteer army of the United States. Upon the completion of the muster the commanding officer of the regiment will report to the adjutant general of the army for instructions. “By order of the Secretary of War. Gigned) © “H. C. CORBIN, “Adjutant General. “For the Commanding General, “District of Columbia Militia.” Th: orders were handed personally to Lieut. W. E. Horton, who is to be the adju- tant of the regiment. Lieut. Horton con- veyed the paper at once to Gen. Harries, who was at the Center Market Armory to witness the muster in of one of the com- panies of volunteers. It will be noted that no date is ‘specified for putting the regi- ment into camp. When all the companies have been fully organized, quipped and mustered in, that fact will be communicat- ed to the adjutant general of the army and then details for going into camp will be an- nounced. This will not occur for three or four days at least and p2rhaps not for a week. The Roster of Officers. The officers of the regiment will be as fol- low Celene!, George H. Harries; leutenant eclonel, C. H. Heyl; regimental adjutant, First Lieut. William Edward Horton; ma- jor, M. Emmett Urell, with First Lieut. James L. Mock as battalion adjutant; ma- jor, Charles De L. Hine, with First Lieut. Charies B. Hudson as battalion adjutant; najor, Richard A. O’Brien, with First Lieut. C. Fred Cook as battalion adjutant; quartermaster, First Lieut. John M. Field; chaplain, Rev. George Dudley; surgeon, Maj. R. A. Pyles; assistant surgeon, First Lieut. Clarence A. Weaver; assistant sur- geon, First Lieut. S. Clifford Cox. Captains—Harry Walsh, Company A; William T. H. King, Company B; Charles S. Domer, Company C; William S. Hodges, Company D; Frank L. Graham, Company E; Otto G. Simonsen, Company F; F. 8. Hedgsor, Company G; H. B. Looker, Com- peny H; Richard D. Simms, Company I; Giendie B. Young, Company K; George W. England, Company L, and Sydney L. Ja- cobs, Company M. The first lieutenants of companies will be J. H. Griffiths, C. V. Sayer, D. V. Chisholm, c. L. Lanham, B. J. Streks, Richard J. Harden, W. E. Crist, R. J. Donnelly, T. 8. King, G. C. Shaw, C. A. Meyer and F. G. Stutz. The second licutenants of companies will be: E. Meckins, L. E. Wheaton, W. E. Sorrells, H. M. Bell, L. T. Boiseau, 8. C. Redman, C. J. Harlow, R. B. Hay: G. A. Smith, L. W. Herncn, W. R. Harrison and F. E. Skinner. Tne ignment of lieutenants to com- panies has not be officially announced nor hes their lineal rank been stated. Behind closed docrs Company F, under apt. Otto G. Simonson, was today mus- tered into the service of the United States in the rifle gallery at the Center Market Cept. Heyl offic as muster- . The company was fully equip- savy marching order. The men will sleep at the armory and perform such cuty as muy be required of them until or- dered into camp. Physical Examinations, The physical examination of the volun- teers was continued today. The men re- ported in large numbers, and rap'd progress was made. The examinatiors will go on until late tonight. The expectation is that severa® addit ona! companics wi'l be mus- tered in this evening and tomorrow. A number of the companies have posted signs setting forth that recruits are de- sired. The scenes outside the armory to- day resembled those of several ks ago, large numbers of people congregating on the sidewalk to observe the movements of the men in uniform. The Big Camp. Engineers from the War Department, act- ing under instructions from Captain W. G. Martin of the quartermaster’s department, went out yesterday to the neighborhood of Falls Charch, Va., and located definitely the great camp, upon which will be con- centrated from 30,000 to 4: troops of the volunteer army, including a regiment of the District National Guard, within the next week or two. The track selected is owned by Mr. C. L. Campbell, and is known as “Woodburn Manor.” It is situated about” two miles southwest of the village of Falls Church, aad is admirably adapted to the purposes for which it is designed. It com- prises about 1,400 acres, and will afford ex- cellent accommodations for all the troops ordered there under the orders issued by the War Department yesterday. The land is made up in part of meadows, Pastures and woodlands, with an abund- ance of water. There are several streams |