Evening Star Newspaper, May 17, 1898, Page 1

THE EVENING STAR. FUBLISHED DAILY EXCEPT SUNDAY. AT THE STAR BUILDINGS, 110] Ferreylvaria Avenue, Cor. 1ith St, by i Ge Sg errant ee New York Office, 49 Potter Building, ‘The Evening Star ts served to subscribers In the ‘qaty by ctrriers, on theZr own account, at 10 cents Per week or 44 ceuts per month. Copies at the counter 2 certs each. By mafl—anywhere in the United States +r Canada—postage prepald—So cents © month. PSatorday Quintuple Shect Star, $1 per sear, with forelgn postage added, $3.08. (Entered at the Po t Gffice at Washington, D. C.. Bs sec nd-class ma’l matter.) £7 All mail subscriptions must be pafd In advance. Rates of advertising made known on applicctior. Che Evening Star. | Ne 14,106. WASHINGTON, D. C., TUESDAY, MAY 17, 1898-FOURTEEN PAGES. TWO CENTS. \ The Evening Star is the only afternoon paper in Washington that receives the dispatches of the Associated Press. It is therefore the only one in which the reader can find the complete news of the worid, directly trans- mitted by telegraph, up to the moment of going to press. QUIET ALONG COAST lockading Squadron Has Orders to Keep Out of Fire Range. Seis MESSENGER FROM GENERAL GOMEZ Spanish Trick Nipped in the Bud by the Wilmington. + CURIOUS ACCOUNT OF IT There may be a complete change of war plans within a week. Rush orders for landing troops in Cuba are immediately expected. No more playing at hide and seek with the Spanish fleet will be al- lowed. Steps have been taken to prevent the cabling of the whereahouts of our warships except to the Navy Depart- ment. Reports received by the War De- partment show that 82,000 of the 125,000 volunteers called for by the President have been mustered in. Secretary Long says the Charles- ton will sail today with reinforce- ments for Admiral Dewey, and that ether troops will be forwarded as rapidly as possible. In congressional circles there is a good deal of criticism at the delay in sending troops to Admtiral Dewey. A large number of army and navy promotions were sent to the Senate by the President today. No official announcement was made regarding the location of either Oj our squadrons in southern waters. The sending of the coast defense vessel Monterey to the aid of Admi- ral Dewey is being considered by the Navy Department. Col. R. P. Hughes was at the War Department today presenting Gen. Merritt’s desire for a larger number of regulars than it was proposed to send to the Philippine Islands. The cruiser Newark will go into commission Saturday at the Norfolk navy yard. The torpedo boat McKee and destroyer Yankton went into commission yesterday. A board is to be appointed to se- lect designs for medals to be awarded to Admiral Dewey and his men. The Senate resumed consideration of the war revenue measure. A brief meeting of the cabinet was held today, but nothing of import- ance was determined upon. The general belief here is that Gen. Merritt has been misquoted as to his alleged unwillingness to go to the hilippine Islands unless he could have 5,000 regular troops. 1 Dispateh From a Staff Correspondent, w ssels from the blockading squadron this morning re- port everything from Cardenas to B Honda. The Spaniards are evidently expecting that further attempts will be m to land arms for the insurgents and @re maintaining a thorough patrol. Most of the regul quiet r troops seem to have been drawn from Havana for this purpos This, however, does not mean that the de- t of that have been weakened, for at the first sign of bombardment or landing of American troops they will be falled back If the Spani es 0 the city. fleet is seeking to reach coming along the south coast n Antonio, it would e in receiving battle in Yucatan pa Nothin: known of the alleged plans for bombarding Cardenas, Matangas and Other towns this week. Instead, the block- Qding vessels are following recent instruc- tiens from Washington, keeping well off shore and avoiding efforts of the Spanish to draw them within range of land bat- Unensiness at Key West. West {s shivering a little over the Prospects that a Spanish fle of! the Its Is at t may appear and open fire. reef some morning habitants are sighting mysterious ves- all 's of the compass. Last fizht, when some of the ships were engaged in target pi e by searchlight, the peo- ple ashore were certain the bombardment bad bezu' ‘Temporary dwellers here, how- ever, are calm. They may not have much eonfidence in the land defenses, though one of the big guns, which in the haste of emer- gency time ago was shipped from New York in a slow-salling vessel, has finally been mounted. But the naval defenses are sufficient to keep a hostile fleet at a respectful distance. Messenger From Gomez. The Wilmington came in this morning with a special messenger from Gomez. He §s former Vice Consul Jova of Sagua. Jova was landed a week ago at a point a few giles east of Caibarien. He took dis- Patches to Gomez, who still has his head- quarters sixty miles inland. He has not moved his camp and has not yet attempted @ general advance In the direction 6f Ha- yana. Gomez sent dispatches to the United States government and to the Cuban, junta. ‘The insurgent commander-in-chief is wait- ing for arms and rations. He has not lost poin’ preparations some confidence in his ability to oust the Span- iards from the island without the ald of a large number of American troops, provided he is supplied with artillery. Nevertheless, he realizes that the United States will con- duct the war In its own way, and he ac- cepts the situation. Gomez is anxious for a personal conference with some member of General Miles’ staff regarding military operations. PEPPER. ANOTHER SPANISH TRICK. Derelict Sent Out of Havana to De- stroy United States Warships. (Copyright, 1998, by Associated Press.) KEY WEST, Fla., May 17—The United States cruiser Wilmington, Commander C. C. Todd, when about thirty miles east of Havana, yesterday, fired four shells into a Spanish trap, in the shape of a derelict, siking it and thus doing away with anoth- er piece of Spanish trickery. The com- n:ander of the Wilmington had been warn- ed by dispatch boats that some dangerous wreckage was drifting aboutethe spot men- “tiened, and the cruiser steamed in that direction to investigate the reports. An old Spanish scheoner, with her deck loaded to the rails with rusty iron, car wheels, ete., closely packed together, was found floating in the track of torpedo boats and dispatch boats. Evidently a Spanish Trick. The iron-laden schooner had evidently been sent out of Havana harbor in the hope that a torpedo boat or small craft of the blockading force would crash into it and be so damaged as to cause her to sink. As wires were noticed around the fron rafis on the schooner, Commander ‘Tcdd believed the Spanish trap might also centain explosives, and, therefore, laying off a considerable distance from her, his guns promptly sent her to the bottom. Another commission from Gen. Maximo Gcmez, the insurgent commander-in-chief, arrived at Key West today. Mr. John F. Jova, the former United States vice consul at Sasua !a Grande, who was landed by an American gunboat on the ceast of Cuba about ten days ago, was picked up yesterday afternoon aftar an ex- citing experience with a Spanish gunby which the American gunboat chased her harbor. Mr. Jova succeded in reaching the camp of Gen. Gomez, and has brought back dispatches from the latter to Commo- dore Watson. Insurgents in Good Spirits. He reports that Gen. Gomez and the sev- eral thousand troops with bim are in the best of spirits and hopeful of a speedy end- ing of the present situation. Mr. Jova also reports that Spanish troops ar2 moving westward, keeping In the cities. He made part of the journey along the coast in a small boat, and was being chased by a Spanish gunbot when the American gunboat hove in sight. The Spaniard, though several miles off, fired a number of shots at the American vessel. The latter proceed2d to pick up Mr. Jova and two companions of the former consul, and then chased the Spanish gunboat, which prompt- ly scudded for safety into port. Reported Explosion Off Cardenas. MADRID, May 17—A dispatch from Ha- vana says a small naval hgat has been blown up off Cardenas, resulting in the loss of seventeen lives. Nationality not statad. KEY WEST, Fla., May 17.—Boats which have just arrived here from the blockading fleet say they have no knowledge of any craft having been blown up off Cardenas or zisewhere. The opinion is expressed that the Spanish report probably originated in the Wilmi>gton sinking the Spanish schoon- er derelict loaded with old fron, as reported by the Associated Press. ADDED TO TE ‘Two Boats Put in Commission—Cruiser Newark Nearly Ready. The torpedo boat McKee and the aux- ilary torpedo boat destroyer Yankton were placed in commission at the Norfolk navy yard yesterday. Lieut. C. M. Knepper is in command of the McKee and Lieut. Com- mander J. D. Adams ts in command of the Yankton, : The cruiser Newark will go into comimts- sion at the Norfolk navy rd next Satur- day, but may not be entirely ready for sea for two weeks yet. Captain Albert S. Bar- ker, now a member of the naval strategic board, has been assigned to the command of th ewark and will join that vessel on the 21st instant. MEDALS FOR DEWEY’S MEN. A Board to Be Appointed to Select Designs. Secretary Long has appointed Assistant Secretary Allen president of a board which is to be charged with the selection of de- signs for the medals which are to be awarded to Admiral Dewey and the mem- bers of his ehips’ crews in recognition of their achievements at Manila. Two other members of the board are yet to be ap- pointed. It Is the purpose to secure designs for the medals of more than usual excel- lence, both in originality of theme and beauty, as is believed to be warranted by splendor of the victory. It is expected that the widest opportunity will be opened to American genius to submit designs. aa a NOT CREDITED. Japan's Reported Intention to Protest Regarding the Philippines, The statement cabled from London yes- terday that Japan intends to protest vig- orously against the seizure of the Philip- pines by the United States, and with that obj2ctln view is taking steps to secure the co-operation of certain European powers, is not credited by the Japanese minister. He states that he has received no intimation, official or unofficial, of any such purpose on the part of his government, and he is con- fident that the report is without foundation. In his opinion the statement carried with it its own contradiction, since it is self-evident that the present position of affairs in the Philippines offers neither occasion nor rea- son for a protest by Japan. Methodist Bishops Elected, BALTIMORE, Md., May 17.—The ¢lec- tion of bishops by the general conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church South tcday resulted in the choice, on the second ballot, of the Rev. Dr. H. C. Morrison of Nashville, Tenn., and the Rev. Dr. W. A. Candler of Oxford, Ga. Dr. Morrison re- ceived 140 votes and Dr. Candler 148 on the final ballot. DELAY CRITICISED|ACcIOENT TO THE GRESHAM] AT THE WHITE HOUSE Feeling in Congressional Circles About Reinforcing Dewey. UNCERTAIN OF ADMINISTRATION POLICY Gen. Merritt's Appointment Made by the President. PERMANENT OCCUPATION In congressional circles they are getting worked up on account of the delay in send- ing reinforcements to Admirgl Dewey at Manila. A large number of senators and representatives called at the War and Navy Departments today, and most of them had something to say about the slowness of motions on the Pacific. A great deal of sympathy was shown also with the insist- ence attributed to Gen. Merritt that at least 4,000 regulars should constitute a part of the force sent to Manila. The expression attributed to Gen. Merritt that he would not go to Manila if he did not have these regulars was not credited, however, and Secretary Alger was quoted as saying that there was no, doubt that the general was misquoted for that expression. Force to Be Sent to Manila. Men who particularly interested them- selves to urge that an efficient force sheuld be sent to Manila at once were told that the matter would be taken up at the cab- inet meting today, and the opinion was ex- pressed that sume means would be found to spare 4,000 regulars to go with the force of volunteers, and that a force of 15,000 in all would be pramptly dispatched. Much criti- cism of the War Department is being in- dulged in on the ground that there is great dilatoriness in equipping and organizing the volunteer soldiers as they are mustered in. It was said by some of the men in Congress who visited the department this morning that the Nevy Department was ready to carry 1,000 men on the City of Pekin at once, but that the War Department was not yet ready to embark even that number. In some quarters it is suggested that the hesitancy about sending a large army of occupation to Manila is due in part to the uncertainty of the policy of the administra~ tion as to the permanent occupation of the Philippines. The Monitor Monterey May Go. It is being urged that the coast defense monitor Monterey, now at San Francisco be sent to Manila, and it is regarded as probable that this will be done. This moni- tor has not the coal capacity for such a trip, but it is proposed to tow her. This would take much time, but if she wdre once in the harbor of Manila Admiral Dewey could defy any force Spain could possibly send against him. The Monterey is not a cruising vessel, but is regarded as one of the greatest harbor fighting machines in the world. Her being sent to Manila would have an important significance. If the difficulty of getting this fighting machine to Manila were overcome it would not be with the idea of bringing her back again to San Francisco at the end of a few months or a year. If she were sent to Ma- nila it would probably be with the inten- tion of keeping her there permanently for the defense of that harbor, and it would, it is suggested, signify a policy of perma- nent occupation of Manita, if not of the en- tire Philippine group. A A Policy of Occupation. In political circles here there is a very strong sentiment in favor of such imme- diate steps being taken by the administra- tion as will commit this government to the occupation of the entire Philippine group and open the way to the permanent occupa- tion if it is deemed desirable at the close of the war with Spain. It is felt that delay in making the occupation effective is cal- culated to invite opposition from foreign powers, whereas prompt action now may make it possible to avoid a great deal of trouble. The Appointment of Merritt. It is said that discussion about Gen. Merritt's going to take command of the Philippines grows out of a question of pelicy to he followed with respect to these islands, rather than out of the mere que: tion of the number of troops to be sent. The arrangement by which Gen. Merritt accepted the assignment as military gov- ernor of the Philippines, commanding the army of occupation, it is said, was made between the President and Gen. Merritt direct, without the War Department hav- ing much to do with the matter, and that Gen. Merritt was villing to accept the ap- reintment, on the idea that an important policy with respect to these islands would be developed. It {s suspected that the dis- cussion now grows out of some doubt as to this policy and uncertainty as to the lati- tude the military gevernor of the islands will be given. To Invade Cub: It is said that the President has again re- turned to the proposition to invade Cuba with a large army, and that the plan of in- vasion, which has been several times de- layed, will be speedily put into operation. The government is said to be satisfied that the presence of the Spanish fleet in the Caribbzan sea relieves much of the un- certainty which involved the situation be- fore, and that now the two American fleets can amply protect us in our operations against Cuba, and meet the Spanish fleet if it should appear to aid Blanco. One reason given for proposing an in- vasion at once is that it will compel the Spanish fleet to appear off one of the Cuban ports and give battle, unless Spajp is pre- pared to give up Cuba without using th« navy in the defense of the island. An invasion, it is believed, will compel the Spanish fleet to fight, since, being in those waters, the Spanish admiral could not allow the island to be invaded and Havana to be captured without striking a blow. es DEWEY NEEDS HELP AT ONCE. Gen, Aguinaldo Making Arrangements to Storm Manila. NEW YORK, May 17.—A special dispatch from Hong Kong says that Consul Wild- man returned there from Kowloon bay, where h2 took the insurgent leader, Gen. Aguinaldo and his cabinet, on the McCul- loch. An arrangement was made for the insurgents to storm Manila. The dispatch adds that it is absolutely necessary that more American warships and a strong military force be sent to Admiral Dewey’s aid at once, G One-Half the Revenue Cutter Sinks in the St Lawrence, Trouble Caused by Overionding a Pontoon+Senator Hanna’s Yacht Comanche Coming East. OGDENSBURG, N. ¥., May 17.—One- half of the United States revenue cutter Gresham went to the bottom of the St. Lawrence river this morning and now rests on her side in twenty-five feet of water. The steamer had been cut in two and placed on pontoons for passage throvgh the Canadian canals to Montreal, where it was to be reunited and sent to join the navy. While waiting for the tugs today to start down the river the bow section, forty- eight feet in length, suddenly careened to one side, forcing that pontoon under the water. The upper pontoon then shift- ed position, drawing the other pontoon entirely away from the boat section, almost turning it bottom side up. Fourteen seamen were just finishing their breakfast in that end of the boat and were thrown into the water, but all escap- ed. The accident was caused by overload- ing the top deck, making the small section top-heavy. ‘The ironclad steam yacht Comanche, be- longing to Mark Hanna, is passing down the St. Lawrence canals en route to New York to be turned over to the government to use for war purposes, ees BIG FIRE IN BALTIMORE Freight Docks of the Old Bay Line in Flames, Estimated That the Loss Will Reach $250,000—Many Explosions Occur. BALTIMORE, Md., May 17.—The piers, freight sheds and office buildings of the “Old Bay Line” Steamship Company, ply- ing between this city, Norfolk and Rich* mond, are in flames and will prove a total loss. A large quantity of freight is in the sheds, which are located at the foot of Concord street, and this, too, will be a total less. The steamer Alabama, which was lying at the pier with a full cargo of outgoing freight, was towed into mid-stream and saved. The fire is not yet under control. There have been several explosions of oil and spirits, but no casualties are reported. ‘The loss will probably reach $259,000. ———-———_ HIDE IN DAY, CRUISE AT NIGHT. Two Spanish Warships Seen Daily About Guantanamo Bay. (Copyright, 1898, by Associated Press.) CAPE HAITIEN, Haiti, May 17.—Two Spanish cruisers, cr gunboats, are making their base of operations at Badiquiri, or Guantanamo Bay. They are known to be moving every night in the waters between Haiti and Cuba. A Haitien schooner, plying between the Mole St. Nicolas, Jean Rabel, and Glati- ragua, repcrts, through an agent of the Cuban insurgents, at Port De Patx, having met Spanish vessels several times during the past few weeks. The Spaniards are supposed to hide in the Cuban ports during the day and to go out cruising at night. ee MERRITI’S OBJECTION. GEN. Thinks Volunteers Are Unfitted for _the Manila Expedition. Col. R. P. Hughes, inspector general of the department of the east, with headquar- ters at New York city, was at the War De- partment today on a mission from General Merritt in connection with the assignment of regular troops to accompany the Phil- ippine expedition soon to start from San Francisco. General Merritt's desire to have a larger number of regulars than it was proposed by the department to give him has been known here for some time, and his views on that subject are shared by mary of the army officials here. They real- ize that he will have a delicate and im- portant duly to perform as military gov- ernor of the Phii!ppines, and they agree in the opinion that the general should have an adequate and well-disciplined force at his command to maintain order in a city that will be filled with discordant elements. There are noi enough regulars in the west to aftord the number that General Merritt thinks should be sent on the expedition, viz., 5,000, and consequently the department cfficials are considering the advisability of withdrawing about three of the infantry regiments from Tampa, where a large num- ber are now rendezvoused, and dispatehing them post haste to the Pacific coast. These men are well seasoned and thoroughly dis- ciplined, and are just the kind General Merritt believes should be sent on the transpacific trip. Capt. Jesse M. Lee of the 9th Infantry, who has been stationed at Tampa recently, reported at army head- quarters today in response to telegraphic instructions, ard it may be with reference to the sending of some of the troops now there to ihe Philippines. General Greely, chief signal officer, is making arrangements to send a detachment of six officers and fifty-five men, made up largely of telegraph operators and electri= cians, with the Philippine expedition. ——_-e-____—_—_ STRANGE WARSHIPS SIGHTED. Believed to Be Spaniards Watching for the Oregon. NEW YORK, May 17.—A special copy- right dispatch from Santa Lucia, West In- dies, to the World says:” A large, strange warship was sighted last night lying off the west coast of this island. Others were also seen to the northward of St. Lucia. These vessels are believed here to be a Spanish squadron watching for the United States battle ship Oregon, whith may pass close to this island on its way to Key West. A special from Kingston, Jamaica, says the report has reached that place that three warships, the nationality of which it was impossible to mike out, were seen last evening off Moran Point, at the eastarn ex- tremity of Jamaica, The ships were taking southerly course. ear Se Se Se British Cruiser at Noilo, _ HONG KONG, May 17.—The British sec- end-class cruiser Pique has been ordered to the Island of Iloflo of the Philippine group, for the protection of the merchants whose lives and pr threatened by the insurgents. ee = Cae te * nt ey = i A Change of War Plans Contemplated Within a Week. SPANISH FLEET 0 BE IGNORED Rush Orders Probable for Landing Troops in Cuba. THE CABINET MEETING While the cabinet today did not decide to make any alteration for the present in the war plans, it is said to be highly prob- able that a change will be made within a week, whether the almost mythical Span- ish fleet has been encountered or not. The administration does not propose to permanently keep up a hide and seek game with the Spanish navy. This game appears to be so immensely gratifying to the Span- ish pecple that the ministry may order it kept up, thinking that a land invasion of Cuba may be indefinitely postponed. But their minds will soon be disabused of this idea. It would not be surprising, it is said, to see rush orders given from the War De- partment any day. These orders will in- velve the gathering of thousands of troops at points convenient for speedy transpor- tation to Cuba. When this force is all ready, the ships of the navy will be quick- ly concentratea, and the entire navy will be on hand to protect the troops. The formidable ships will be divided and placed on the flanks, one of which will rest around Havana to prevent the breaking of the blockade and as protection. The other flank will rest far up the northera coast of Cuba, but where it will afford abundant protection. The arrival of the battle ship Oregon will add much to the carrying out of such a pian. It is even now estimated that a plan of this kind would afford ample protection to the troops, which would sail on ships that cculd quickly return, if ne ry. The new cruiser New Orleans, the Colum- bia and ether v is, including many of the mosquito fleet, will be sent to Cuban waters when the plen is made, which will be sure ff the hiding of the Spanish fleet continues. Today's Cabinet Meeting. Today’s cabinet meeting did not produce any change in the war situation. The meeting was short, Secretary Long, Secre- tary Day and Attorney General Griggs re- maining less than an hour. The others soon finished their business and left the White House. Secretary Long told the cabinet that he had received no news from the Spanish and American fleets to indicate an early meeting between them. In fact, the Sec- retary is rather of the opinion that a meet- ing of the fleets is a good ways off unless some chance not now figured on brings them together. Secretary Long told the cabinet that the cruiser Charleston would sail from San Francisco today for Manila. He is also getting the Philadelphia tn readiness to join the fleet of Admiral Dewey. The Phil- adelphia will probably convoy a large num- ber of troops. Troops Wanted by Dewey. The President has not decided on the number of troops to be sent to the Phi pines. It is understood, however, that Ad- miral Dewey has cabled his opinion of the number of troops necessary to aid him in the capture and retention of Manila. This number is said not to be over 16,000. This number of soldiers will be sent, and if Ad- miral De says he wants more he can have them, His opinion will be accepted without question by the President. No mention was made in the cabinet meeting of the alleged interview with Gen- eral Merritt, in which the latter is quoted as dissatisfied with his assignment to the Philippines unless he can get more regulars to go along on the trip. No Mention of Another Call for Troops President McKinley has not mentioned to cabinet officials any intention to issue an- other call for troops. He has probably giv- en the matter consideration, but the ques- tion has progressed no further. It is said to be among the probabilities that Con- gress will pass a bill granting authority for another call, but this will be in the nacura of precaution. If Congress adjourns before the close of the war, or about the time it is closing, the President might find af.erward that more troops are needed. If this shoulé prove the case he will have authority to act without calling Congress together in special session. Another reason for such authority is that there are a number of specially or- ganized regiments throughout the country which would prove valuable additions to the army. Under the present apportion- ment among the states none of these regi ments can be accepted. The report that the cabinet would discuss a rigid press censorship on the publicatica of war news was incorrect. No mention of the matter was made in the cabinet meeting. The President has not yet indi- cated a desire that a censorship should be extended beyond that already adopted as to the movement of ships. - S Waiting for a Sea Fight. ‘The general opinion of the cabinet is still that nothing can be done about sending an army to Cuba until the whereabouts of the Spanish fleet is known, and the fleet is either defeated or sent back to Spain. ‘The question of Spain sending more sol- diers to the Philippines is not worrying the President or his advisers. The troops to be sent there by this country will arrive be- fore’ those of Spain, and, backed by the fleet of Dewey, will be able to cope witn three or four times their number of Spai- jards. ~Colored Volunteers Promised. Ex-Governor Pinchback, Register Lyons of the treasury, Col. Lewis and Capt. Kelly, prominent southern colored men, are work- ing hard to secure a number of the yellow fever immune regiments authorized by Con- gress. They said today that the War De- gartment has promised to give the colored teen of the south five or six of these regi- ments, recognizing that the negro is par- ticularly well adapted to work in hot cli- mates. Governor Pinchback said that’ several regiments of negroes have already been organized in New Orleans and are ready for service just as soon as accepted. ‘They are.anxious fér service and we are confi- dent that they will make a record in Cuba that will please the country. No_men on the army duty in Cuba than the colored men ¥ ‘ = te face of the earth are better suited for boa boulevard to Dewey who live on the coast states, in the southern Today's Callers. President McKinley was engaged with many callers before the cabinet met this morning. Representative Colson of Kentucky, who erganized a regiment of mountaineers ia his district for service In Cuba, has return- ed to the city and had a talk with the President in an endeavor to have his com- ™mand accepted. He finds, however, that there is no way of getting the regiment mustered in at this time. Senator Penrose ef Pennsylvania saw the President this morning in behalf of Gen- erals Gobin and Wiley, who want to become brigadier generals. They now hold com- missions as brigadier generals in the Na tional Guard of Pennsylvania. They have been indorsed by the Pennsylvania delega- tion. Senators Burrows, Fairbanks and Spoon- er and Representatives Curtis, Payne an Hopkins saw and talked with the Presi- dent. : a THE OPPOSING FLEETS. No Official Announcement Made at the Department. There were no official announcements to- day with respect to the movements of the United States and Spanish naval fleets in the gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean sea. In view of the declared policy of the naval Strategic board to guard its plans more securely in the future than has been the case in the past, considerable surprise is expressed at the evident desire of the beard to have it known that Admiral Sampson's squadron, jast heard from at Cape Haytien, had gone to Cienfuegos, on the southern coast_of Cuba. The state- ment to this effect was coupled with the additional statement tiat Admiral Samp- son’s fleet was bound for Key West, when its movements were diverted toward Cien- fuegos. It is very evident that the department desired this information made public. What the purpose of the announcement has not been disclosed. It is a fair inference, ho: ever, that the announcement was made either to mislead the enemy as to the real ricvements of the American fieet or else to entice them into more northern waters than they have vi: d of late. Protecting the Blockade. Although not so stated by the strategic board, there is reason for th belief that arrangements have been made for the com- plete proteetion of the biockade on north and south coasts of Cuba, with view to preventing the Spanish fleet from entering either the harbor of Havana on the north coast or the harbor of Cienfuegos on the south coast, with the result that the Spanish admiral will be compelled either to return to Spain or to eventually seek refuge in the harbor of San Juan, Porto Rico. if this theory is a correct one, Commo- dore Schley’s flying squadron is now des- tined for Havana and Admiral Sampson's equadron is bound for Cienfuegos, the orly ports in Cuba wher? the Spauish admiral wculd be able to make an effective juncture. with Gen. Blanco’s army. The American fects are believed to be sufficiently strong to prevent the approach of the Cape Verde fleet to either of the ports named or to venture near enough into the neighboring Waters to endanger the safety of any of the smaller American war: s forming part of the blockading syuadron on either coast of Cuba. It was stated at the Navy Department yesterday that Admiral Sampson's fleet would reach Cienfuegos today or tomorrow. At its present rate of progress Commodore Schiey’s fleet, if really bound for Havana, should reach there shortly after. At any rate, both of the fighting squadrons of the American navy could be in the positions in- dicated at least a day before the Spanish squadron could reach either point, even it such were the intention of its commander. San Juan the Only Refuge. The distance from Curacao to San Juan, Porto Rico, is not very great and could be covered by the Spanish fleet before either Schley’s or Sampson's fleet could reach there, provided their present whereabouts has been accurately stated. With both Havana and Cienfueges shut egainst it, the Spanish fleet would natural- ly seek coal and provisions in the harbor of San Juan, and it is said that the American naval commanders would desire nothing better than to have it follow that course. If the Spanish admiral could be enticed into the harbor of San Juan it would be possible for the two fighting divisions of the American navy to com- bine in a blockade of that harbor and either starve the Spanish forces into sub- jection or to enter the harbor itself and destroy the Spsnish warships by the use of tactics similar to those adopted by Ad- miral Dewey for the subjugation of the Spanish fleet in the harLor of Manila. No Land Batteries. The execution of such a plan has been rendered practicable by the recent destruc- tion by Admiral Sampson's fleet of the principal batteries guarding the entrance of the harbor of San Juan, so that in the event of a battle in that harbor the United States navy would have only the Spanish arships to cope with. In the opinion of naval strategists, the absence of land bat- teries would make an American victory short, sharp and decisive. There is no certainty, however, that the Spanish admiral will permit himself to be bottled up in the harbor of San Juan or that he has any immediate intentions of | doing anything that would involve a hos- KEEP VIGILANT WATCH Our Blockading Squadron Expect to Sight the Spanish Soon. BOTTLED UP IN Rages - CARIBBEAN SEA They Can Scarcely Escape Without Giving Sampson's Ships Battle. AN UNPLEASANT INCIDENT (Copyright, 1898, by Assoctated Presa.) ON BOARD THE ASSOCIATED PRESS DISPATCH BOAT KATE SPENCER, OFF FKAVANA, May 16, via Key West, Fle, May 17.—The ships of the American blo acing squadron are keeping a vigilant watch for the appearance of the Spanish and will not be taken by surprise should the Spanish men-of-war round Cape Antonio, th> westernmost point of Cuba, and swoop down upon Havana. All our ships have been warned by Com- modore Watson of the possibility of such @ move and sailors are kept constantly in the tops, where they can sweep the horizon for thirty miles, looking out for the first sign of a hostile ship. Anxious to Mcet the Spanish. All the naval officers on the blockade sta- tion are anxious for a meeting with the Spaniards, and when informed that the Jatest reports placefl them off the coast of Venezuela they jubilantly declared that the enemy could be hemmed in between the Windward Islands and the Yucatan chan- nel, to be destroyed. The only fear expressed was for the scf2ty of our ships blockading Cienfuegos. But they do no: doubt that precautions have been taker for the safety of the ships Low on the southern coast of Cut The torpedo beats and fast yachts of the auxiliary fleet keep the blockading ships in constant communication with West, whence the movements of vessels are being Gtrected. The general opinion is that there will be no movement of the army in the direction of Cuba so long as the Spanish fleet re- mains in American waters or until it is met and beaten, No Late Incidents. The blockade of Havana has been main- t ed without incide: since the Conde Vendito and Legazpi attempted to draw our ships under the big guns of the Santa Clara battery on Saturday evening. The French frigate Dubourdieu entered Havana harbor a week . which ago after an unpleasant incident, which necessitated the firing of two shots across her bow before the Frenchman would show his flag, passed out this afternoon at about 4 o'clock and headed northwest. the Du- beurdieu fs a long school ship, carrying 6- inch and 5-inch guns and one-pounders, be- sides two torpedo tubes. The Mayflower ran close enough to the frigate to establish the Frenchman's identity and then stood off. Our flag was not saluted. Bound for Mexican Port. The Dubourdieu, like the French sloop of port. The activity along the coast Squads of Spanish cavalry and working upon fortifications have be daily along the shores; but they hz been molested. Orders have been given not to expose the small vessels of the squadron to unneces- sary danger. DO Nor continues. parties a seen e not YADE CONSCRIPTION. Cuban Sympathizers With Advised to (Copyright, 1898, by Associate’ Press.) KINGSTON, Jamaica, May 1 Cuban provisional government has di insurgent sympathizers not to try to evade in garrison cities Gen. Blanco’s conscripe tien order forcing into the ranks of the volunteers all males from fifteen to forty- ve years of age. Refugees who arrived here by the French steamer Fulton from Havana and who have since been released from quarantine say that the Cubans in Havana ing the volunteers by hundreds. Spain ts thus arming enemies ready to rise at on opportune time or to desert. The Spaniards in Havana, for a communal police pose, spy out Cuban sympathizers cause their arrests. ges there were 10 cents apiece, meat s 50 cents a pound and flour 30 cents a pound when the Fulton left on May The Atlas line steamer Adoula sailed for Santiago de Cuba today with provisiont end to bring back refugees. Three or fout schooner cargoes of food leave Jamaica ports for Santiago weekly. oe SAGASTA’S CABINET IN DOURT. asurgents Act Thus, re join- pur. ané Some Believe He Will Have to Aban- don the Attempt. MADRID, May 17.—Some of th. pers to ert that Senor Senor Gomazo will reach an agreement at a confere afternoon to form a coali- tion cabinet, while others express the op! ion’ that that Senor Sagasia will encount ce tile meeting with superior or nearly equal val forces of the United States. His movements afe as mysterious us ever, and the officials of the Navy Department are sorely puzzled to know what his course will be. when he leaves the shores of Ven- ezuela. eee RUSSELL HARRISON’S DENIAL, His Father Not Opposed to His Selec- tion for an Army Positio: Mr. Russell Harrison denied emphatically to a Star reporter that his father is exercis- ing any influence to prevent his confirme- tion in his appointment in the commissary department of the army, or that his father disapproved of the appointment. There has been opposition to Mr. Harrison's appoint- ment, and the sources from which it came led to the statemert that it had been in- spired by ex-President Harrison, it being sald that Senator Proctor, who was Secre- tary of War under Presicent Harrison, was active in opposition to young Harrison. 9 Mr. Russell Harrison has a letter from his father, the ex-President, stating not only that he was not orposed to his son’s confirtmation, but that he was gratified at the appointment and the manner én which it was made, and that he hoped his son would win distinction for himself. ——_—-e-_____ More Honors for Dewey. SAN FRANCISCO, May 17.—The board of supervisers today changed the name of Bal- boulevard, in hon- or of the hero of Manila. so many Cifficuities that he will be com- pelled to abandon the task. oo * MEXICO IS FRIENDLY TO Us. Soa-in-Law of President Route Here. EL PASO, Texas, May 17.—Don Ignacio de la Torre, son-in-law of Porfirio Diaz, president of Mexico, passed through thts city last evening in his private car. He was accompanied by four prominent states- men of the republic. The party will visit Kansas City, St. Louis, Chicago, New York, Philadelphia and New Orleans. It is understood that the object of the visit is to impress upon the people of the United States that Mexico is in sympathy with this country during the present with Spain. eee MIGHT GO TO MANILA. Diaz En tary of the Navy today that the coast de- fense ship Monterey, now at San Francisco, be sent to the assistance of Admiral Dewey , at Manila, where it is represented that she