Evening Star Newspaper, May 19, 1898, Page 1

fs THE EVENING STAR — ee PUBLISHED DAILY EXCEPT SUNDAY. AT THE STAR BUILDINGS, 310] Fenneylvazia Avente, Cor. 11th 8t, by The Evening Star New: x Company Ss. H. Eaurrma N Pres New York Ofice, 49 Potter Buildin ‘The Evening Star is served to subscribers tn the erty by cx rriers, on th oWG account, at 10 cents Ber week, or #4 cents per month. Copies at the ceumter 2 certs each. By mail—anywhere ia the United States r Canada—postage prepald—60 cents per month. Saturday Quintuple Shect Star, $1 per year, with foreszn postage added, $3.08. {Entered at the Po t Office at Washington, D. C.. as sec .nd-<luee mail matter.) C7 All mall subseriptions mast be paid tn advance. Rates of advertising made known on applicatior. AT THE WHITE HOUSE Nothing Known of the Spanish Fleet’s Whereahouts. ee REARRANGEMENT . OF THE NAVY lan Outiined in The Star Yesterday Nearly a Certainty. eS SOME OTHER MATTER The plan of rearrangement of the navy into three squadrons 1s almost a certainty. Nothing is known of the where- of the Spanish fleet. The State Department has receiv- word that the American corre- abot ed spondents confined in Cuba will be exchanged for two Spanish officers confined at Fort McPherson. Arrangements are being made for the organization of the brigade of engineers and the “immune” regi- ments recently authorized by Con- gres: Gen. Greely has submitted a pian of organization of the companies of electricians and telegraphers to ac- company the arimy. Gen. Lee was engaged in arrang- ing for the detail of officers for his staff. He hopes to leave for the south tonight. Preparations for the expedition to the Philippines are being hurried, and it is hoped that the first part will be on its way in a few days. The Senate resumed consideration of the war revenue bill. The standing rule of the War De- partment against disclosing the offi- cial records or business will be strict- ly enforced. Over fifty regiments of volunteers have reached their proper place of mobilization or have started.. Fifteen or twenty more have reported readi- ness to start. The volunteers mustered in to date number 95,909. Among the army nominations made today were the names of Al- gernon Sartoris, grandson of Gen. Grant, and Fitzhugh Lee, jr. government knows s of the Spanish work to find out. Long told Presi- The United States nothing of the wh fleet, but This the White House retary Long said that telegrams of conse- the Sp: togethe ate that near positively known gement of the n at the plan for a ¥¥, as outlined in yesterd: nearly a certainty. © squadrons, and - ne the Sp: and fights or goes 3 will etary Alger dec to talk abont the plans for a speedy invasion of Cuba. He would like to have the troops ready in a Gay or two, bu will have things in good tn a short time. Pressure for Appointment. President McKinley the entire day listening ions places for } constituents in the army and nav The Pressure and importunity is growing. The more full the understanding that there are @ few places to iled the greater the crowd. Hallway d waiting rooms were crowded with visitors today, and at least Fs half of th and went away without missions. all of the best places in army and have been filled, but the scramble y is for positions of lieutenants in the in the regular of the sm ™m ountry ere wiring and congressmen for nec hese matters are ent by sena’ the and patriotic White House the f them ex- be sent to they would get a chance eral Longstreet inti- he would like to be paced in said he felt satisfied that his would flock to him if they had to go with him. mated t service, and old comrade epport Hawatian Annexation. a McK ure thi Pre: sure to ley has exerted no pres- passage of a resolution for the snnexation of Hawaif, but to all | who speck to him on the s ect he ex- ¢ earnest hope that Congress will the opportun The Presider re of the great veiue of the islands at th me. An ar; ment made to him tcday by 2 prominent man was tha: the Sendwich Islands should a@t once be annexed that they may be used a3 a training ground for troops which will probably have to be sont to the Philippines even after the number now selected. “The temporary occupation of the Phil- fyyines Is ou: of the question,” said this man. “Whether we desire tt or not, we will be compelled to retain these islands for a long time, if not permanently. More trodps Che Evening Star. . No. 14,108. WASHINGTON, D. C.,,. THURSDAY, MAY 19, 1898-FOURTEEN PAGES. TWO CENTS The regular permanent fam circulation of The Evening S:a in Washington more than double that of any other paper, whether published in the morn- ing or in the afternoon. As a medium for unobjec- tionable advertisements it there- fore stands uncqualed and un- approachable, than now decided on will have to be sent to Manila in the course of several months. We do not know at what moment the United States commander might need more soldiers, and need them badly. The dis- tance and consequent loss of time between San Francisco and Manila might endanger our prestige and many lives. Two or three divisions of troops in Hawaii would make the situation much safer. ‘These troops could be sent to Hawaii for training. The climate is splendid. A sud- The Secretary and } ors and rep- | | Alex: d served with | ov. exaiain | boat, | the now In its hands. ; den need for troops would be responded to ten days quicker from Hawaii than from San Francisco. Of course a cable line would have to be laid to Hawaii, but this would take only a little time. I believe the y will sincerely regret the blunder andwich Islands are not at once an- ntative Bromwell of Ohio said to- day that he thought the rules committee of the House will report a rule for con- sideration of the annexation resolution in a few da “If they do not do so,” he said, “the members of the House in favor of such action will unite in a request for a a1 influential democrats who favor ation have made an informal can- on the democratic side of the House end find that there are from fifteen to twenty-five democrats who will vote for “nnexation unless a caucus is held and they are outvoted. There is already some talk of a democratic caucus, it is said, the object being to prevent democratic aid for the annexation resolution. A number of democrats will refuse to go into a caucus. Colored Immune Regiment. President McKinlk 1s said to be favor- ably inclined to giving the colored people five of the ten immune regiments author- ized by Congress. He has been strongly advised that the negro will make a splendid soldier in Cuba. White men in several southern states have asked for commissions to organize regiments of colored men. Prominent colored men have also asked to be given these commissions. President McKinley has been told that colored men in the coast sections of the south stand little chance of being stricken with yellow fever and go through epidemics without fear. Walter S. Barker, who was the American consul at Sagua La Grand, Cuba, is to be commissioned as colonel of an immune reg- iment to be sent to Cuba with the first in- vading party. Consul Barker had a long service in Cuba and is entirely familiar with the topography of the island. In ad- dition to commanding a regiment, Mr. Bar- ker is to be placed in charge of all the supplies to be distributed among the recon- centrados. Consequently, he will be with the first of the American forces to be land- ed in Cuba. — TS CO-OPERATING. ae Secretaries of State and the Navy in Conference. DEPARTM The Secretary of Stat2, Judge Day, had a long conference shortly before noon today with the Secretary of the Navy, Mr. Long, at the latter's office. At its close Judge Day joined the German ambassad. Von Holizben, in the diplomatic room of the State Department. It was inferred that the two conferences related to the order al- lowing the German steamer Polaria to pass the blockade and enter Havana harbor. It was t visit of the German ambassa- dor to the State Department for some weeks, as he has been confined to his room by @ slight, but prolonged, fiiness. Aside from the Polaria question, the State and Navy Departments have had oc- asion to co-operate frequently of late, as cur many consular officers scattered through the British, French, Dutch and Danish West Indies, are about the only meaus the authorities here have of being fully and quickly posted on the where- abouts of the several squadrons, Spanish and American. It was the State Depart- ment that first officially lovated the Span- ish squadron of the Island of Curacao, and it also gave the first assurance of tne safety of the battic ship Oregon, The Navy Depariment secures its direct official in- formation from the commanders of the squadrons, but their landings are infre- quent and they are not always abl2 to send a dispatch boat ashore while the ships are making rapid movements. Being ashore our consulars are better able to make speedy reports as to ships in the offing and those observed passing, as well as the ac- tual arrivals. Among Secretary Longs callers today was the entire Louisi: delegation, who brought handsomely engrossed resolutions on parchment, adopted by the constitutional convention of Louisiana, thanking and con- ratulating Admira! George Dewey for the glorious victory of his command over the Spe eet at Manila, which resulted tn the destruction of the Spanish men-of-war by the United States fleet.” NOY OBTAINED BY GOVERNMENT. The Purchase of the Submarine Hol- land Still Under Consideration, ‘The appearance in the naval orders post- ed this morning of assignments of officers to the Holland gave rise in some quarters to the belief that the government had pur- chased the experimental submarine torpedo boat of that.name, which has been diving 1 reappearing in the waters near Eliza- N. J ny. This was a mistake, a red to is a collier, one of two Hollands purchased by the govern- ment yesterday. The vesseis were named the Joseph Holland and the Elizabeth Hol- land, and they have been rechristened, re- spectively, the Hannibal and the Leonidas. | A third collier, name not given, was pur- she has been christened the ler. As for the submarine bo t, the matter of quisition by the government is before Long. The naval experts who the queer craft are divided her 2 Secretary in their opinions as to her merits, and it is |tor the Secretary to decide between them. Another craft of somewhat similar quali- ues, now at Baltimore, known as the Lake as been brought to the attention of avy Department as promising to be of great utility in countermining harbors. CHARLESTON RETURNS TO PORT. Siight Accident to the C er's Con- densers Causes Delay. | VALLEJO, Cal, May 19.—The cruiser | Charleston, that- sailed yesterday for Ma- ' with ammunition and supplies for Ad- miral Dewey, is back at her berth at Mare Island navy yard, with her condensers out The crutser steamed about the bay ail day yesterday, out of sight of San Francisco while her compasses were being adjusted and cargo trimmed. When every- thing was tn readiness for a start on the long journey the condensers were found to be cut of order. The accident was trivial, but Captain Glass concluded that it would be better to return te the navy yard and secure the beneflt of the facilities there | than to repair the damages at sea. The Charleston will make another start within | the next two cayz. WORK OF PREPARING | MASSACRED BY SPANISH| STORY NOT CREDITED | Arranging for the Organization of| Top! st Manila Out Wide Swath Before More Troops, ENGINEER AND IMMUNE REGIMENTS Seventy Regiments Mobilized or Ready to Start. RULE TO INSURE SECRECY Se There was another crush of visitors in the offices of Secretary Alger and Adjutant General Corbin in the War Department to- day, principally members of the Senate and House interested in staff appointments of the volunteer army. In consequence, the officials had little time to attend to ordi- nary business matters requiring attention. Arrangements are being made for the or- ganization of the brigade of engineers, which is to consist of not exceeding 3,500 men and for the formation of the immune regiments, aggregating 1C,000 men, supposed to be free from danger of yellow fever infection. Preparations are also being made for the organization of the companies of electricians and teleg- raphers, consisting each ‘of sixty-one men for each division. For the latter General Greely, chief signal officer, has submitted a plan which awaits the approval of Secreta- ry Alger. The Secretary, it is expected, will soon take steps providing for the en- listment of the immunes, so that they may be available as early as possible for active work in the fleld. Many applications by persons who are anxious to undertake the raising of regiments of this class of men have been received at the department. In some cases applicants have gone so far as to already begin work in that line on their own responsibility, trusting to the depart- ment to approve their efforts and grant them formal permission to have the men enlisted into the service of the government. Several of the members of the Louisiana delegation, including Representative Meyer, called to see Secretary Alger today in con- nection with the raising of a regiment of immunes. Other callers on the Secretary today were ex-Secretary Tracy, who has been in Wash- ington for several days, Senators Platt of New York and Lodge of Maseachusetts, and Representatives Bankhéad of Alabama and Lester of Georgia. Major General Fitzhugh Lee, who is to command the 7th Army Corps at Tampa, Fla., was busily engaged at the depart- ment this morning making arrangements for the detail of officers to his staff. He hopes to have it completed so as to be able to leave for the south tonight. General Wesley Merritt, commanding the Depart- ment of the East, with headquarters at New York, who is to command the expedi- tion to the Philippines, is expected here during the day for a consultation with the President and the Secretary of War before his departure for the Pacific coast. Every detail of this expedition is being hurried forward and it is confidently hoped that the first part will be on its way to Manila with- in a few days, in command of Major Gen- eral Otis. Progress of Mobilization. More than fifty regiments of the volun- teer army have either started for or reach- ed the mobilizing points to which they were directed to proceed by the Secretary of War. Fifteen or twenty regiments have re- ported their readiness to start for suc points. In order to avoid confusion at the camps and any congestion in the railroad tratlic the War Department officials are de- ferring giving orders fur a number of tha volunteer regiments to start. ‘The number of volunteers mustered in to date is 95,909. All the regiments which were directsd to go to San Francisco, ex- cept those from North and South Dakota, have left their local rendezvousing points for the Golden Gate city. The greater por- tion of the men composing these organiza- tions ar2 destined for the Philippines. A Stringent Order Issued. By order of Assistant Secretary Meikle- john, Chief Clerk Tweedale has issued the following war circular: “It is found to be necessary to call special attention to rules 11 and 12 of the rules and regulations of the War Department, which are as follows: “11, Visitors will not be allowed in the rooms in which the clerks are employed, except by permission of the proper officiais. “12. The official records and business of the department are strictly confidential, and are not to be disclosed to any one, nor made the subject of conversation out of the office, nor in the office, except so far as necessary to the proper discharge of the public business. “A rigid observance of these rules will be exacted, and any violation thereof will be ground for discharge. A copy of this circular will be furnished to each employe of the department.” This circular, looking to the complete se- crecy of all war measures, differs radically from the method adopted by the naval bureau of navigation in that it applies to all persons not connected with the War Department, whereas the naval prohibition is solely against newspaper men. The method of the War Department will un- doubtedly prove much more efficacious for the purpose intended than the naval meth- od. The latter simply contemplates keeping war news away from newspaper men, but does not prevent its full dissemination to Spanish sympathizers through clubs and street gossip. It is asserted that Senor Polo depends mainly upon friends in clubs and social circles for inside information in regard to military and naval movements, past and prospective. The danger of leaks in the manner indicated has been brought to the attention of Secretary Long. As a consequerce, it is said that the recent naval order will be amended so as to prohibit naval officers from discussing naval mat- ters with any person outside of the service, regardless of his business or profession. The proposed amendment is based ‘on the generally accepted theory that it is not necessary under present arrangements for the Spanish authorities to depend upon the American.newspapers for kaowledge of the military and naval operations of the United States. The naval authorities have at last concluded that the best way to keep a se- cret is not to confide it to anybody, and that newspaper men are no less patriotic than other people, ———-e-____ Chief Harrigan Resigns. ST. LOUIS, Mo., May 19.—After forty years of service on the St. Louis police de- partment, the past ten being at its head, Chief Laurence Harrigan has resigned his Position because of ill health, Dewey Came. They Also Bombarded the City of Cebu About the Middle j of April, VANCOUVER, B. C., May 19.—It appears from information brought by the Empress of India that the Spanish did a little bom- barding on their own account in the Philip- Pines about a fortnight before Admiral Dewey silenced their fleet. About the mid- le of April, says a Manila report, Spanish warships went down to Cebu, where they Lombarded the city. The troops met no op- position on landing, the rebels having ab- scénded befcre a shot was fired, taking with them, it is said, $200,000 in cash. About thirty natives were killed in the bombardment, but no European casualties are reported. The foreigners in bysiness in Cebu hoisted their national flags over their premises, and these were respected by the Spanish admiral. Cebu, which rarks third in the cities in the Philippines, was wreck- ed by the bombardment. A massacre of rebels by the Spanish also preceded Admiral Dewey's volley Another account from Manila says: “The other day a panic wa3 eccasioned in the city by a report that the suburb of Tondé had arisen. All the doors and windo: were closed and the civil guard paraded the streets. The real cause of the panic was afterward discovered to be surprise by the civil guards of a meeting of insurrection- ists in Calle de Camda. The civil guard opened fire upon the rebels and at the same time burst open the doors of the house. ‘The rebels offered stout resistance with long knives and axes, but the volleys soon settled matters, seven natives being killed. Eight of the guards were wounded, and later two died. Subsequently sixty or sev- enty persons were captured and shot with- out loss of time. It Is estimated twe hun- Gred rebels escaped into the country. Two ccmpanies of the third native regiment were also sent in pursuit. Rigings in Boli- nac and Zambales have been subdued, Spanish troops having killed thousands of Indians and hundreds of women and chil- dren. —_.+—___ QUESTIONABLE FAVORS GRANTED. European Correspondent Going Cuba May Give Aid to Binnco. Special From a Staff Correspondent. KEY WEST, Fla., May 19.—The action of the United States in giving permission to subjects of European powers to go to Cuba as passengers on the German steamer Po- laria is still the subject of adverse com- ment here. Mr. Knight, who is a British subject and the correspondent of the Lon- don Times, has this permission. Having been able to make a convenience of an American warship and a flag of truce in his first and unsuccessful attempt to land, Mr. Knight is unable to see anything irreg- ular in this proceeding. He is persona gra- ta to Madrid government and once in Ha- vana will be all right. to Mr. Gustavus Bock, a German subject, and a leading tobacco merchant, is also making efforts to go as a passenger. He has lived in Havana thirty years, and has been specially favored by both Weyler and Blanco because of his pro-Spanish leanings. He has extensive business interests which would make it convenient for him to be in Havana. Four or five other persons are making strenuous efforts to secure permits. So long as one individual is allowed to go or the vessel itself is permitted to go, the number cf individuals who are passengers or form the crew is not important. Infor- mation which Blanco and the,Spanish au- thorities want will be within their reach, nnd they will have their own methods of getting it. PEPPER. _— NOTHING BUT GULLS TO SHOO Snmpson’s Squadron Has Not Sighted the Spanish Fleet. Special Dispatch to The Evening Star. KEY WEST, Fla, May 19.—Dispatch boats a:riving this morning report that shooting sea gulls is the only kind of firing that now gces on. Blanco had the light burning from Morre Castle again last night. He evidently expects some Spanish versel to see tha‘ signal, but whetker it is a warship or blockade runner can only be guessed. If one of the Spanish cruisers had ap- peared off Havana any day this week it would have had little trouble in making its way into the harbor, as there would have been nothing but gunboats and auxiliary i Cadiz fleet to make a demonstration ag: yachts to oppose it. That condition cannot recur in future. Henceforth the entrance to Havana can only be made after a big naval battle, and the entire Spanish fleet would hardly be able to fight its way in. Yucatan channel is also so well patroled now that it could not be passed without a combat. Some of the ships which were at Fortress Monroe are guarding that channel. Fast scouting boats, which went out Monday, have as yet brought in no word of sighting the enemy either in the Yucatan passage or along the southern coast toward Cien- fuegos. é PEPPER. ee ARSENAL GUARD ATTACHED. Incident Stirs Up the Troops at South Framingham. SOUTH FRAMINGHAM, Mass., May 19. —Camp Dewey was greatly excited this forenoon when it was learned that Private ‘Tracey, Company H, 9th Regiment, who was on guard at the arsenal last night, was overpowered by a stranger, who appeared suddenly and seized him Ypefore the guard could raise his gun. Tragey called for help and the man fled. Later the same man appeared again, and on being seen was promptly pursued, but he eluded the soldiers and was not seen afterward. The motive for the attack on the guard is not , but grave suspi- cions are held, as tebe arsenal sentry who was the victim. Colonel Bogan has or- dered that the guard at this point be doy-| bled and given cartridges, : That Spain Will Have a Coaling Sta- tion at St. Pierre. RELIEF TO MANILA MORE LIKELY What is the Feeling in Congres- sional Circles. GOOD EFFECT OF SECRECY In Congress very little credit is given the story, coming by way of London, from Montreal, that the Spanish had secured from France a coaling station at St. Pierre, Miquelon, near Newfoundland. Off and on for some time past rumors of an intention on the part of the Cadiz fleet to cross the Atlantic and take coal in the vicinity of St. Pierre have been circulated, but no im: portance has been attached to them. It believed that the State Department has re- ceived more or less authentic information that the Spanish are endeavoring to ar- range to take coal at St. Pierre, but the report, it is said, is causing no concern. It is not believed in congressional circles that the Spanish have any intention to send the ainst our coast. The reports to that effect are thought to be intended to divert attention and to interfere with our operations in Cuba and Cuban waters. For France to transfer a coaling station to Spain and per- mit her warships to take coal there during a period of this war would be an act of hostility toward the United States which ‘s not believed that France is now ready for. Moreoyer, if Spain could acquire a coaling station at St. Pierre, it would not be possible for her to hold it, as it could be immediately captured by one of our fleet. Altogether the demonstration by the Cadiz fleet against our eastern coast is re- garded as utterly impracticable and not at all likely to be undertaken. Spain and Manila. ‘That Spain will endeavor to send relief to Manila is regarded as less improbable, yet that would be a forlorn hope move, the problem of coaling a fleet on the way be- ing extremely difficult, aside from the fact that it would leave the Spanish coast un- protected. If the Cadiz fleet were sent to Manila by way of the Suez canal, taking coal in transports, its progress would neces- serily be very slow, and some, if not all, the reinforcements to be sent to Admiral Dewey would be able to get there before the Spanish fleet appeared. Even with only the Charleston added to Admiral Dewey's fleet, and the fortifications at Cavite and Corregidor Islands restored, equipped and manned by our forces, the Spanish fleet would not find it as easy to enter the harbor of Manila as Admiral Dewey found it. The Spantsh, after having abandoned Cu- ba and Porte Rice and lef: the coast of Spain unprotected, would be confronted with the danger of losing the ficet set to the Pacific. It is believed that if the Cadiz fleet is prepared for service, and it is felt safe to take it from Cadiz, it will try and form a junction with the fieet now hover- ing around on the Caribbean sea, if that fleet is not destroyed before an opportun- ity for a junction is given. It is believed that if the vessels of the Cadiz fleet were fully equipped for service and could have been spared some of them would have been added to Admiral Cervera’s fleet before it ventured to American waters. The Cervera fleet is deficient In everything except speed and the power of disappearing, whereas if the Pelayo end one other of the Cadiz fleet were joined to it, it would be strong enough to risk a battle with either the Sampson or the Schley fleet. Uncertainty of Carvera’s Flet. It is said at the Capitol that it ts quite evident that the department has again lost the Spanish fleet in the Caribbean sea, yet a meeting between it and our fleet ts ex- pected. A theory is that the Spanish flee: is endeavoring to get into a position where {t can fall back on San Juan without dan- ger of being intercepted, and that Admiral Cervera will then attempt to draw some of our faster vessels into a running fight, with the idea of separating them from the more pewerful and siower vessels, with the hope oi doing damage to the ficet by fighting them in detail. There is no doubt felt that this Spanish fleet is sparring for an open- ing, and that the ultimate object is to break the blockade and get supplies to Blanco. It is the belief that at the present time Admiral Cervera is no better informed as to the movements of our fleets than we are of his, and officials are said to be much gratified that we have at least one fighting vessel the approximate whereabouts of which is unknown to any one. The Ore- Son, it is said, is expected to play quite an important part in the maneuvers now g0- ing on in southern waters, and she may be secretly joined to a squadron, which with- out her might appear weak enough to tempt the Spanish fleet to battle. Absence of information as to the whereabouts of the Oregon is likely to embarrass the Span- ish admiral in his movenitnts, and if he has no suspicion whatever of her presence, it may prove disastrous to aim. Good Effect of Secrecy. ‘ It is said at the Capitol that the ad- ministration is much better satisfied with the gencral situation at this time than it has ever been before, and the policy of ob- serving the -strictest secrecy as to the movements of vessels is resulting ~advan- tegeously. Men in Congress, as well as the department, have finally come to, the rigid determination not oniy that news ought rot to be given out by officials, but that information, however obtained,which might be of assistance to the enemy, should not be published. The feeling in Congress on the subject is very strong, and, if neces- sary, some very drastic measure will be adopted to enable the President to sup- press publications of an injurious char- acter and to punish offenders. An evidence of how fully this has come to be understood is that the great num- ber of senators and representatives who visit the departments ar: no longer seck- ing information as to the~whereabouts and the movements of our fleets. It was eaid by some who were at the departments today that they believed important dis- patches had been received from’ Admiral Sampson, but that the nature of the infor-| Niue Warships mation conveyed or the location of the fleet would probably remain unknown to all save officials at the department. engagem:nt would be the first heard from either the Sampson or Schley fleet. Important Developmenia Expected. The opinion prevails in congressional cir- cles that important developments may be expected soon. The men who were express- ing the greatest discontent at tha delay in military operations are more reassured to- day and express hope of action. A very largely increased army will be sent to the Philippines, and the movement will be has- tened. The opinion is strengthened that an important policy will be adopted with re- spect to these islands, It is thought in Congress that this time the War Depatment really means to send an army to Cuba, and that the invasion of that island will begin without further hesi- tation. Two or three times we have been on the point of an invasion, small or great, but each time some consideration has aris- en to postpone action. It is said that now the conditions are as favorable for effective operations as they are likely to be at any time, and that there will be no further postponement. An evi- dence that this is true may be found in the fact that the time when the invasion is to take place is not being heralded as other contemplated movements were. The reliance on assistance from the in- surgents has steadily become more feeble, and it is proposed to make the invading army large enough to conduct the cam- paign without reference to what the insur- gents may be able to do. Spanish Admiral’s Object. It is said by men who have visited the department this morning that no doubt is felt that the object of the Spanish ad- miral is to get relief to the Spanish in Cuba, and that our fleets are so situated that it will be impossible for the Spanish fleet to make a movement to carry out that project without being compelied to fight. It is said that even should the Spanish fleet be able to slip out and reach San Juan, Perto Rico, it would not change the plans of this government for the invasion of Cuba and that no doubt is felt that wherever the Spanish fleet may be tt w: be compelled to go to the assistance of Blanco when we begin to land our army. It is suggested that if the Spanish fleet should retreat to San Juan a feint might be !made at going from there to attack some of our eastern coast cities in order to again check the invasion. Such a move, it ts said, however, would not have the desired effect, as the invasion would be proceeded with whatever move the Spanish ficet might make, no doubt being felt that the Spanish admiral would have to turn back to the relief of Blanco when he saw that the diversion had failed. Attack on Our Coast. But even if a movement were made under svch circumstances upon our eastern coust a risk would be run of all the damage he ecvld do before a sufficient fleet could be sent against him, Even if he should do some damage along the coast it would be at the cost cf the abandonment of Cuba and the entire destruction of his fleet, as he would not be able to reserve enough coal to get away again after making the long sail necessary to reach a point of at- tack not in easy reach of naval protection. ae ARMY NOMINATIO: Gen, Grant’s Grandson and Gen. Lee's Son Among the Selections. The President today sent these nomina- tions to the Senate: War—First Regiment Volunteer Engi- neers, colonel, Eugene Griffin of New York. First lieutenants, Algernon Sartoris of the: District of Columbia, Fitzhugh Lee, jr., of Virginia; Carlos Carbon2t of Troy, N. Y.; Thomas J. Sullivan of Colorado; Karl Fish- er Hansen of New York. To be commissary of subsistence, with rank of major, William M. Abernethy of Missouri. To be engineer officer, with rank of ma- jor, Charles Lincoln Woodbury of Vermont: captains, Wm. D. Beach, 84 Cavalry; Geo. H. Sands, 6th Cavalry, and Wm. Ashunk, Sth Cavalry. To be essistant quartermaster, with rank of captain, First Lieut. Gee. S. Cartwright, 24th Infantry. To be commissary of subsistence, with rank of captain, Fred. W. Hyde of New York, Wm. H. Anderson of Greenville, Ohio, and Geo. G. McCullom of Pulaski, Tenn. To be additional paymaster, Wm. B. Scho- field of San Francisco, Cal. To be assistant adjutant general, with rank of captain, Putnam Bradlee Strong of New York. Treasury—Chas. T. Stanton of Connecti- cut, collector of customs at Stonington, Conn.; Edward Elias of California, assayer of the mint at San Francisco. Postmaster—Maryneal Hut:hes Smith, Ur- bana, Ohio. ° —_——_—_-e.______ THE OPPOSING SQUADRON No Advicew of Importaiice Recetved by the Navy Department. The bulletin board at the Navy Depart- ment failed utterly today to produce an item of interest regarding the movements or whereabouts of the three great naval squadrons now believed to be in the Guit of Mexico and the waters of the West In- dies. As near as could be gathered, there was sound reason for this in the fact that the Navy Department itself nad received no cablegrams of importance and the alert corps of United States consular officers scattered through the West India Islands had nothing to report. This absence of positive,incidents gay opportunity to the Secretary of the Nav for the distribution of a considerable quan- tity of business and also enabled him to leave the department in the afternoon for the Capitol to give to the naval committee of the House an exposition of his views on the naval personnel bill. The war condi- ticns of today have, in the opinion of the Secretary, afforded a most conclusive evi- dence of the necessity for the passage of seme such measure as the personnel bill, and ke ts using every effort to secure con- gressional action upon it. +o. SHOCKED BY WIRE. Electric Employe Fatally Hurt This Afternoon. Joseph McArdle, a joiner employed vy the United States Electric Light Company, was shocked this afternoon by a live wire on F street and fatally hurt. He was taken to the Emergency Hos- pital, where he les tn a critical condition. He was twenty-eight years of age. is —___— IS-3T THE CADIZ FLEET? Sighted Of Getson’x Cove, Nova Scotia, received from Getson’s Cove, western shore ‘The opinion was expressed that informa- of this province, says nine warships were tion from the vicinity of the fleet would not be permitted to come over the wires, and ‘that it was not improbable that news of an - Lae sighted off Indian Isiand, near Cape Le Have, this morning, heading in a soutbecly direction. : MADE A GRAND SIGHT ——__>—___ An “Onlooker” Tella a New Story of San Juan Fight, DISPLAY OF COOLNESS AND DARING cane ane The Spanish Fire Was Wild and Wholly Ineffective.” INCIDENTS OF BATTLE = eer KEY WEST, Fla., May 19.—An onlooker of the bombardment of the fortifications of San Juan de Porto Rico on May 12 by the fleet of Rear Admiral Sampson gave the following details of that engagement. He said: ne “The most remarkable feature about the bombardment was the escape of the fleet with so few casualties. The enemy's fire was heavy and continuous, and the eleva- tion of their batteries gave them a tremen- dous advantage. How they missed hitting the ships no one understands. ‘heir shots fell all around and their guns had capacity for twice the range, yet they only landed two projectiles with any serious effect. “The San Juan affair strengthens the opinion that the demolition of well-placed fortifications is a hard task for even the strongest battle ships. “The secondary battery fire on all the ships was not used after the line had pass- SEE UNIPUTnE DUPER nanPnR EE EnEEEEEREEnee nea ee ed once before the forts. This was calefly on account of the smoke the smaller guns created. Drifting in front of the turrets, it made the handlers of the big guns liable to lose all sight of the land. Did Not Use Conning Tow “The admiral and his assistant chief of staff, Staunton, were on the superstruc- ture on the lee of the conning tower. They did not go inside the conning tower, which will probably not be used uniess the fire is coming from both sides. So far it has proved a rather useless imstitution. “On the forecastle, in the lee of the for- i ach turret were Lieutenant Marsh, flag secretary, and Ensign Bennett, flag Heutenant, both of whom, with Staunton, accompanied the admiral from the New York. Bennett had signal boys with him. is flags, in their canvas bags, were made fast with a line, which ran loosely around the turret barbette. This was to prevent them from being shot overboard. “It took about four broadsides to wake the Spaniards up. In the meantime, great yellow-whitish clouds were rising from the rillside, marking where our shells had fal- len. Then a few puffs of white and litile lines of flames came from nooks in the bluff. “The water spurted a few hundred yaras from the Iowa, and every one was glad be- cause every one knew the enemy was re- turning the fire. Before that the blue- Jackets had been glum. By this time the smoke had begun to hang heavily and the Iowa was moist and covered with saltpetre. Marine glasses had to be wiped every few minutes. The men’s faces were grimy and their mouths were bitter from the salpetre. ‘When the big guns in the turret were fired it seemed as if the ship was almost drawn from the water in a straining effort to follow the projectiles as they whizzed shorewards. Behind, the Indiana's port side looked like a huge fort, her own smo! completely hiding her starboard side. Entire Line Engaged. “When the Iowa turned to go back to the starting potnt the entire line was en- gaged. The New York, stately, standing high out of the water and showing uli her gracefulness, but making an eas slowly ran the gantlet of two mile Terrcr and Amphitrite sticking up ammunition boxes. The Detroit and Mc gomery were little spitfires, and all their starboard sides, were a thick mass of yel- low. smoke. “It was quite easy to see the shells turn- ing over and over and dropping like wouud ed birds into the sea. Scarcely thirty sc: onds elapsed but the shrick of a passing shell was heard. Some of them made weird tunes, changing key as they lost their ve- locity. Most of them were fired at a ver! high trajectory, the enemy apparently us- ing their rifles as mortars. Jets of water rising in all directions showed how good or, generally, how bad had been the aim. Tazse tunes of the shells after a while became less startling and the men did not dodge unless some one shouted ‘Lookout’ or ‘Get under cover.’ But the first shrieking of big shells overhead is liable to make even the bravest man inclined to get his head nearer his feet and keep it in that position until a water jet tells him that the danger is past. “The shot that fell on board the Towa, in- juring three men, was a ten-inch Arm- strcng shell manufactured in 1896. It was a wonder no more damage was done. “The shot -vhich hit tha New York was an eight-inch shell. It struck the ship ex- actly in the same place where the Iowa was struck, coming in at the port quarter ané expicding on the iron stanchion of the superstructure. It then flew into a thous- and pieces. Kept the Lead Going. “While the enemy's fire was at {ts hot- test two sailors stood at the Iowa's bows, without any cover. heaving the lead. They worked just as calmly as if in New York harbor. “They can’t hit us, George,’ sang out one of the men to another in lec of the tur- ret. Just then a shell whizzed by. ‘Rig a line to that thing,’ laughed the man in the chains, pointing derisively to the water that spurted up fifty yards ahead of him. “Admiral Sampson and his captains have every reason to be proud of.tkeir crews. “The feature most discussed was the wenderful pluck of the Detroit and her marvelous escape from being hit. Shells simply rained around her as she lay with- in 500 yards of the forts and blazed away with her five-inch rapid-fire battery. “The Amphitrite’s trouble with her after turrets was caused by an accident to the gear which supplies the turret power. “Several slight accidents occurred on the ships, but on the whole they were not as numerous as generally happens during heavy target practice. “The strain on the men was rather se- vere. The heat of the sun was intexure be- fore 8 o'clock. “The work dore hy the engineer oflicers anc their mon, who, for three hours, were the battle gratings, In the tnicnse the uk