Evening Star Newspaper, June 28, 1898, Page 1

ING STAR. ABLISHED DAILY EXCEPT SUNDAY. AT THE STAR BUILDINGS, 31C) Fenneylvania Avenue, Cor. 11th St, by Te PPE Pw i, Pres’t. New York Ofice, 49 Potter Building SS The Evening Star ts served to subseribers fn the uty by ctrriers, on thetc own account, at 10 cents per week. or 44 cents per month. Coples at the cceunter 2 certs each. By mail—anywhere tn the United States «r Canada—postage prepaid—50 cenis per month. Saturday Quintuple Sheet Star, $1 per year, with foreign postage added, $3. (eatered at the Po t Cffice at Washington, D. C.. 3 er.) as see md-clas: us must be paid In advance. C7 All mail Rates of advertising made known on applicstior THE EVEN Che #Hveni ed Star. No. 14,142, WASHINGTON, D. C., TUESDAY, JUNE 28, 1898—FOURTEEN PAGES: TO FIGHT TOMORROW —__»—__—_ Army Will Be Ready for Another Forward Movement. ee NAVY WILL WAIT UNTIL THEN Lieut. Blue Went Ashore and Saw Cervera’s Ships. ALL ARE IN THE HARBOR Cabinet officers do not believe that Gen. Shafter will attack Santiago un- til the reinforcements now being sent him arrive. It is expected that Commodore Watson will be ready to sail with his expedition to Spain in a week. No uneasiness is felt in cabinet circles for Admiral Dewey. According to telegraphic dispatch- es a battle may occur at Santiago to- morrow, as the army will then be} ready to make another forward movement, assisted by the nav The fourth Manila expedition, it is expected, will leave San Francisco about July 9. During the next two weeks 25,000 men will be added to the army in Cuba. Capt. Sigsbee reports that the St. Paul was attacked by a Spanish cruiser and the torpedo boat destroy- er Terror off San Juan, Porto Rico, last Wednesday. The St. Paul dis- abled the Terror, which was towed into the harbor in a sinking condi- tion. Orders have been issued for the immediate departure of the second division of the 4th Army Corps Tampa for Santiago. This div from on includes the District of Columbia regiment. The eastern squadron will be sent | against Spain from Santiago if the vessels are suitably equipped and supplied, otherwise they will first be sent north. The President issued a proclama- tion declaring about five hundred miles on the southern coast of Cuba and San Juan, Porto Rico, in a state of blockade. (Copsright, 1808, by the Associated Press.) Off Santiago de Cuba, Monday, June Kingston, Jamaica, June 28, 9 a.m. is hardly likely that any serious action w be taken by the navy until Wednesday. By that time the army is expected to be ready for another forward movement. Lieutenant Victor Blue of the auxiliary gunboat Suwanee returned to the fleet to- day from another investigating trip ashore. He reported that Admiral Cervera’s ships are all in the harbor. With the exception of one torpedo boat destroyer they are at anchor and show no signs of activity. Lieut. Blue's Trip Ashore. Lieutenant Blue went ashore on Satur- day, to the west of Morro Castle, accom- ed by Cuban guides. He advanced un- til about two miles north of Cabana and almost up to the enemy's batteries. He traveled sixty miles and rejoined the Su- Wanee this morning. At one time the leu- tenant was at a Cuban outpost, separated only by 400 yards from a Spanish outpost. “They popped away at each other all the time,” said Lieutenant Blu ut 1 do not think the Cubans hurt the Spaniards very much, and I know the Spaniards did not hurt the Cubans.” Lieutenant Blue was able to accurately locate the position of each of Admiral Cer- vera's ships. Rear Admiral Sampson warned his fleet this morning to exercise great care in shooting at the hills east of Morro Castle, pointing out that the American army had advanced, and that our own troops might be deployed on the hillside. dynamite gunboat shells Jast night. Vesuvius fired They fell in the ies. Exploded by Spaniards. ght © hear a loud explosion oc- suadores. It is be- been caused by the Span- W up the railroad trestle lieved to hav jards trying to b! near that place. it is now said that Juragua may be se- lected as the permanent cvaling harbor for the fleet. v Weineck, an ordinary seaman, be- ng to the flagship New York, was drowned yesterday. The New York was coaling in front of Morro Castle from the collier Alexaader, when Weineck jumped from the collier in an attempt to get on board iis own ship. He fell between the flagship and the ccilier and sank at once. The body was not recovered. The Dolphin has gone to the Havana blockade and the Helena and the Yankton have gone to the southern blockade. A bulletin issued to the fleet by Rear Admiral Sampson yesterday said: rom a report made by one of the wounded, nephew of Surgeon Berryhill of the flagship New York, a considerable part of the damage to our treops on Fri- day last was done by seven-millimeter ma- chine guns, manned by seamen, so that there would seem to be some probability in the 1eport of the use ashore of the crews of Admiral Cervera’s squadron.” ——~-— WILL START FROM SANTIAGO Mf Commodore Watson Finds the Ships in the Requisite Condition. It ts said at the Navy Department that & is the present intention to start Commo- Scere Watson's eastern squadron from San- Mago. This, however, is subject to Ad- mniral Sampson's report upon the condition of the vessels selected and their needs in the matter of supplies and equipment for the long voyage ahead of them. If they need no more than can be supplied from Sampson's fleet they will start according to orders from Santiago on their eastern journey, but if further supplies and equip- ment are needed, or if the vessels must be cleaned, then they will probably be sent nerth first to Hampton Roads. Meanwhile there is no mistaking the earnest! s of the Navy Department in preparing this squad- ron for the European service. ORDERS TO DISTRICT TROOPS General Snyder's Division to Leave Tampa for Cuba. About Nine Thousand Will Soon Be Added to General Shafter's Forces in Front of Santiago. The District of Columbia regiment, now in camp at Tampa, Fla., will be on its way to Cuba soon. Orders have been issued for the immeciate departure of about 9,000 men, corsisting of the 2d Division of the 4th Army Corps, under command of Brig. Gen. Snyder. This includes the District troops. The preparations have been preceeding quietly fer some days, and although the stcres have been going aboard at Tampa, a rigid censorship at that point has prevented any word getting out before xbuut this ex- pedition. The actual departure from Tampa is expected the War Department to oc- cur today and tcmorrow, although there may be those unavoidable delays incident to the dispatch of so large a force. The plan of movement has been thoroughly deter- mined upon. Twelve transports are to car- ry the expedition. They will move first to Key West, at which point a strong naval cor will meet them and escort the ex- pedition to Santiago. The warships consti- tuting the naval convoy are not disclosed, but they will probably Include one battle ship, with several cruisers and an auxiliary craft. The 24 Division of the 4th Army Corps is now at Tampa, and is made up of three brigades and nine regiments, as follows: First Brigade, Col. I. De Russey, com- manding; 11th United States Infantry, 19th United States Infantry. Second Brigade, Gen. L. H. Carpenter, commanding; Ist District of Columbia, 2d New York, Sth Maryland. Third Brigade, Gen. R. H. Hall, com- manding; 3d Pennsylvania, 137th Indiana, 1st Ohio, Ist Lilinois. In addition the expedition will include six batteries of artillery, three ght and three heavy, now at Tampa, under command of Gen. Randolph. Whether some regiments will be taken from other divisions is not yet determ! It is known only that Gen. Snyder's div has been locked upon by the War Depart- ment as the one best equipped for an im- meaiate start. If the expedition gets away today it will arrive off Santiago next Saturday. The trip will doubtless be to the eastward arcund Cape Maysi, along the same route as that of the Shafter expedition. This will bring Shafter’s force up to about 30,000 men, made up of the 16,000 men he took with hira; Gen. Duffield’s command of 1,350 men, which has arrived on the Yale; the remainder of Gen. Duffield’s brigade, now on the Harvard, and Gen. Garretson’s bri- gade, now at Camp Alger under orders to go, and now Gen. Snyder's division of 9,000 going from Tampa. ——— FOURTH MANILA EXPEDITION. It Will Probably Leave San Fran- cisco ‘About July 9. SAN FRANCISCO, June 28.—The fourth expedition to the Philippines will probably sail about July 9, with either Brigadier General M. P. Miller or H. G. Otis in com- mand. Major General Otis will accom- pany the squadron. Owing to the departure of the third Ma- nila expedition yesterday, Major General Otis has issued orders reorganizing the re- maining troops as follows: First brigade, Brigadier General M. P. Miller, U. S. Volunteers, commanding—ith U. 8. Cavalry Squadron, Troop A of the ist Nevada Cavalry, Light Batteries D and G, 6th U. 8. Artillery, Batteries A end D, California Heavy Artillery Volun- teers, and the remaining battalions of the Jith, 18th and 23d U. 8. Infantry. Secend brigade, Brigadier General Charles King, U. S. Volunteers, command- ing—2vth Regiment Kansas Volunteers, 1st Regiment Tennessee Volunteers and the recruit battalion of the Ist California, Ast Colorado, Ist Nebraska, 13th Minnesota and 2d Oregon Regiments of Volunteers. Third brigade, Brigadier General I. G. Otis, U. S. Volunteers, commanding—7th Regiment California Volunteers, Ist Pegi- ment Montana Volunteers, 1st Regiment South Dakota Volunteers, dist Regiment Iowa Volunteers. General Merritt's Command. The understanding at the War Depart- ment is that the number of reguiars and volunteers which will be dispatched to Manila in command of Maj. Gen. Merritt will approximate 21,000 men. Of these, 10,- cov have already left San Francisco in three separate expeditions. With the troops now at San Francisco and those on their way to that city the remainder of the Sth Corps will be made up. The Wyoming Battery of Light Artillery is now reported to be on its way to the coast, while the Ist Regi- ment of New York Volunteers received or- ders yesterday to proceed to San Francisco. This regiment has been quartered in sev- eral of the forts around New York harbor and is commnaded by Col. Thomas M. Barber. It will form an important addition to Gen. Merritt’s corps, as the expectation is that it will be recruited to its full maxi- mum strength of 1,326 men before starting on its long trip to the east. The fourth expedition to the Philippines is scheduled to start somewhere between the 6th and 10th of July, and arrangements for it are being made here and at San Francisco. The fifth, and probably the last of the expeditions, the officials expect to see launched on its way by the Ist of August, the expectation being that some of the transports used In the first expedition will have returned from Manila before that time and be ready to start again across the Pacific with American troops aboard. > WILL BE PROMOTED. General Frank to Be Assigned to Com- mand a Division in Cuba. Brigadier General R. T. Frank, who has. just been relieved from duty in command of the Department of the East, with head- quarters at New York, will shortly be pro- moted to the grade of Major General and assigned to the command of a division of the troops operating against the Spaniards in Cuba. He Is expected to arrive here in a few days to receive his commission the Secretary of War. », AT THE WHITE HOUSE |CAPTAIN sicseee's FEATITQ EXTEND BLOCKADE Shafter Will Not Attack Until Reinforcements Arrive. THE EXPEDITION 10 SPAIN No Uneasiness is Fett About Ad- miral Dewey. SOME OF TODAY’S CALLERS ————— Today’s cabinet session was not a long cne, and the situaticn was not discussed in detail. Secretary Long and Secretary Alger reported the latest news from the front. The administration view does not fore. shadow an attack on Santiago before three or four days. Nearly every member of the cabinet believes that the attack is to be delayed until Gen. Shafter gets all of his heavy guns to the front and until re- inforcements whick have been sent him arrive. According to the official view there will be no serious fighting before Saturday or Sunday unless the Spaniards become the aggressors. The supposition is that they will remain on the defensive, and that Gen. Shafter will not make the at- teck until he has cverything in shape for winning. Gencral Pando's Movements. A good deal of talk has been indulged in recently as to Gen. Pando’s movements. Some of the military experts here think that he may attempt a flank movement to surprise Gen. Shafter and to get posses- sion of the American base of supplies. Could he do this he would deal the Amer- ican forces a blow from which they would not soon recover. The information re- ceived here, however, is that Gen. Shaf- ter is guarding against a flank movement, which can be made only on one side. A good force of Cubans has been thrown out in the direction the movement of Pando would have to come from. Gen. Pando, whe is described as the best of the Span- ish fighters, was at Holquin, 100 miles west of Santiago, but is now near San- tiago. By marching to the north of San- tlago he could attempt a flank movement. Gen. Shafter’s base of supplies is guarded by two regiments, and in addition has the Fretection of the war vessels. This force ought to be sufficient to protect the Amer- icans. The Expedition to Spain. The expedition of Commodore Watson to Spain was talked over. The intention of the administration is to get the fleet away as soon as possible. Secretary Long said that no time would be lost. It is not thought likely the fleet can leave for Spain in less than a week, as full provisions have to be made. By that time Cervera may have capituated or been captured. If this should prove to be the case a stronger squadron than now assigned will be sent to Spanish shores. Should the defeat of Cervera be delayed longer than a week Commodore Watson will go on with the vessels assigned to him. He will be joined later by a squadron under Commodore Schley. This combined squadron will be one which will make a good showing in European waters. It will be able to whip everything Spanish afloat and to attack the best fortified cities. No Uncasiness About Dewey. Cabinet officials continue to assert that there is no uneasiness as to Rear Admiral Dewey. Secretary Long said, at the close of the cabinet meeting, that the American commander was able to defeat the Spanish squadron headed for the Philippines. ‘The dispatch boat McCulloch has arrived at Hong Kong from Manila, but if there was anything from Admiral Dewey it was not made public aad was not read in the cab- inet session. It is thought that the Mc- Culloch left about the time the first expe- dition was due at Manila. A week may now elapse before Dewey is again heard from. Secretary Long said today that he be- lieves the expedition which left San Fran- cisco yesterday can get to Manila ahead of the Spanish squadron now at the Sues canal. Camp Alger Troops Arrive. Secretary Alger, going to the cabinet meeting today, said that his department had received word of the safe landing yes- terday of the troops on board the Yale. The 33d Michigan and a battalion of the #ith Michigan went from Camp Alger to Newport News, where they went on board the Yale. Secretary Alger expects to soor receive a report of the safe arrival at Bai- quari of the troops which left Camp Alger a few days ago. Some of Today’s Callers. Ex-Secretary Lamont and Senator Hanna were among President McKinley’s visitors today. They went to the Whité House to- gether. General Grosvenor was also 2 caller. Senator Deboe of Kentucky, today, pre- sented Lathan Anderson to the President as a candidate for paymaster in the army. Mr. Anderson is a nephew of Major Ander- son of Fort Sumier fame, and has strong backing for the position he seeks. Senators Spooner and Fairbanks and Representatives Hitt and Newlands saw the President about affairs in their respec- tive states. Gen. John M. Wilson and Gen. Craig- hill were visitors. —————~o____ RURAL FREE DELIVERY. The Present Experimental Test Wil Be Continued. A eircular letter has been issued by the first assistant postmaster general to the postmasters of the one hundred or more offices from which the present experimentd] test of rural free delivery radiates, inform- ing chem that as Congress has continued and increased the appropriation for the coming fiscal year, all rural carriers now ia the service may consider their contracts renewed, unless otherwise ordered by the Postmaster General. Applications for new service have been received more than sufficient to absorb the extra amount allowed by Congress for this extension of the postal free delivery sys- tem, but the department has under consid- eration a plan of carefully allotting the ex- tra service, by means of investigation by special agents, among such states and cornmunities as have not hitherto had any of the advantages of rural free delivery, and in localities where the service can be established at the least cost and with a cer- tainty of rendering the best results. There are many districts where rural free delivery can be started without any extra cost to the government, by the abolition of star routes and minor post offices which will thus be superseded. These, as far as possi- ble, will be given the preference in the new Disabled the Spanish Torpedo Boat De- stroyer. The Former American Liner More ‘Zhan a Match for the Untried and Overrated Style of Warship. » The Navy Department today posted the following bulletin: “Admiral Sampson reports that the Yale arrived yesterday and discharged ier troops. “Captain Sigsbee reports that on Wed- nesday afternoon while off San Juan, Porto Rico, he was attacked by a Spanish unpro- tected cruiser and the Spanish torpedo boat destroyer Terror. The Terror made a dash which was awaited by the*St. Paul. The St. Paul hit the Terror three times, killing one officer and two men and wounding sev- eral others. The Terror dropped back un- der cover of the fortifications with diffi- culty, and was towed into the harbor in a sinking condition, where she is now being repaired. Later a cruiser and a gunboat started out, but remained under protec- tion of the forts.” In defeating the Terror Captain Sigsbee has rendered a most important service to our navy, and, indeed, to all navies. He has not only deprived Sampson’s fleet of apprehension of an attack in the rear some dark night by this vicious little boat, but he has démonstrated that an auxiliary cruiser is amply able to take care of her- self against a torpedo gunboat, showing that the offensive power of this last named craft has been very much overrated. The torpedo gunbeat was an untried qual- ity in naval warfare up to this time. Swift- er than a torpedo boat, seaworthy and pos- sessed of the armament of which the tor- pedo boat is void, the torpedo gunboat has been a terror in imagination to all naval men. The presence of such a Spanish gun- beat, the Temerario, in the River Platt in the pathway of the Oregon on her cruise around South America was for several weeks a cause for great anxiety at the Navy Department. Now Captain Sigsbee has shown that with an unarmored cruiser armed with only five- inch guns the torpedo gunboats are not to be feared, at least not in daylight The Terror is of English buiid, having been turned out at Clydebank‘in 1896. She is a low-lying, steel craft, with steel fun- nels, of 370 tons, 220 feet long, 22 feet beam and 5 feet 6 inches draft. Whe boat is filled with engines and boilers, her horse power being near 6,000, capable of driving her at a speed of 28 knots. While the ordinary torpedo boat carries only a little one- pounder gun, this torpedo gunboat ts armed with a formidable battery for a vessel of her size, consisting of two fourtgen-pound- ers, two six-pounders and two one-pound- ers, all_quick-firing, and having two tour- teen-inch torpedo tubes on decx. * Phe other Spanish cruiser, referred to by Captain Sigsbee in his report as joining in the attack upon the St. Paul, $s supposed here to be the Alfonso XII, an,iron bark- rigged cruiser, built in 1887, of 3,000 or 8,090 tons. While an old ves$ei, she has a-pretty good battery, made up of fourteen Hon- toria guns of various caliber, five machine guns and two torpedo tubes. As soon as Captain Sigsbee's report came to hand the officiais of the Navy Depart- ment immediately recalled the fact that the Spaniards had last week sent out a bul- letin describing the tight of an American cruiser before the two Spanish vessels off San Juan, and that particular engagement was identified as the same referred to by Captain pigsbee. NOTHING FROM GENERAL SHAFTER. The War Department Receives No Advices From the Front. At 2 o'clock today the War Department officials said that not a word had been received from General Shafter since yes- terday morning. At that time a dispatch came to hand, but it referred only to some matter of business which the general made inquiry about, and contained nothing re- garding his movements or the military operations: Several dispatches have been sent him during the past twenty-four hours, and some word from the general is looked for during the atternoon or even- ing, although the officials will not say whether they expect any advices indicat- ing the probabilities of a contest imme- diately. A dispatch from Lieut. Jones of the Sig- nal Corps, stationed at Playa del Este, w received by General Greely after offic hours yesterday. The dispatch confined it- self to the work in which the Signal Corps is engaged, and made no reference to mili- tary operations. —_— + 2+ ___ NO EASY TASK. Engineer Pfeiffer on the DiMculty of Capturing Santiago. Engineer George W. Pfeilfer of the Span- ish-American Company at Baiquiri, where Gen. Shafter’s troops landed, does not wish Tis call at the War Department yesterday to convey the impression that he is to be attached to Gen. Shafter’s staff to render further assistance and information relative to the country in which our troops are now operating. Mr. Pfeiffer says that such in- formation as would be of service to Gen. Shafter’s army was given some weeks ago, and that the general, being now in a posi- tion to see for himself, needs. no further assistance of this character. War Depart- ment officials feel none the less grateful, however, to Mr. Pfeiffer and his associate, Mr. Ziegenfuss of the Juragua Mining Com- pany, for their information, maps, photo- graphs, etc., which are of present value to the officials, although furnished some time ago. : The authorities had hoped that Messrs. Pfeiffer and Ziegenfuss would accompany Gen. Shafter when he left® "Tonipa some weeks ago, and they were at Tampa for that purpose. Mr. Pfeiffer feels that the“artiéle in The Star yesterday referring to his call at the War Department may have ndi¢ated that the taking of Santiago woul b> ‘tompara- tively easy. He says, however, that while it is true there are no walls*arownd Santi- go, the city was, prior to tee outbreak of the war, well fortified with blo@k houses and some intrenchmants, beSides*the wire fence trocha. He adds that the taking of the city 1s rot easy, but on the contrary is a difficult task, well worthy the energy of the officers who are guiding it. Mr. Pfeiffer says that personally he would consider it @ grand success, and not at all slow, if the city was taken even within two months. ———~___. Mr. Low is Safe. The dispatches in the morning papers to the effect that two corre: dents, one of a Boston and the other of-@ Cincinnati paper, had probably been « ed by the Spaniards, created some. interest here, owing to the fact that Mr. A. Maurice Low, the Was! correspondent of the Boston Globe, is with the: army at Santi- Sttene of Ot Souatiaf atch” ws c woh truer ve sas a cable was bis safe arrival and good heate ‘ . * Proclamation Issued by President McKinley. TO INCLUDE SOUTHERN COBAN- COAST How Supplies Have Been Obtained From Havana. SS CONDITION OF THAT CITY ——_+—___. The President issued a proclamation to- day as follows: “Whereas, for the reasons set forth !n my proclamation of April 22, 1898, a block- ade of the ports on the northern coast of Cuba, from Cardenas to Bahia Honda, in- clusive, and of the port of Cienfuegos, on the south coast of Cuba, was declared to have been instituted; and “Whereas, it has become desirable to ex- tend the blockade to other Spanish ports: “Now, therefore, I, William McKinley, President of the United States, do hereby declare and proclaim that, in addition to the blockade of the ports specified in my proclamation of April 22, 1898, the United States of America has instituted and will maintain an effective blockade of all the ports on the south coast of Cuba, from Cape Frances to Cape Cruz, inclusive, and also of the port of San Juan, in the Island of Porto Rico. “Neutral vessels lying in any of the ports to which the blockade is by the present amation extended will be allowed thir- ty days to issue therefrom with “In witness whereof | have he my hand and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed. > “Done at the city of Washington this twenty-seventh day of June, A. D. 1898, and of the Independence of the United States the one hundred and twenty-second. “WILLIAM McKINLEY. By the President: J. B. MOORE, Acting Secretary of State. Five Hundred Miles of Coast. By his proclamation issued today, the President gave notice of the intention ot the government to assume the formidable | task of blockading about 500 miles of Cuban coast line, in addition to the sections al- ready blockaded. This increases the extent of the blockade fully four-fold, it having heretofore Leen connned to a stretch of a little more than 1u0 miles on the north coast, with Havana at the center, and the single port of Cienfuegos on the south coast of the island. Yet the demands upon the havy in the way of ships to patrol the Coast will not be nearly so heavy in propor- tion to the ter itory to be covered as in the cuse of the initial blockade. The reason is that the new blockaded coast line lies en- rely within that great bight on the south Cuban coz in which the water is gener- ally very shailow and the ports are few inte which vessels of any draft could enter. ‘The most important of these ports are oa the east. Manzanillo, lying due west of Santiago only eighty miles, and only a third of that distance from Bayamo, is an important Strategic point as long as it remains in Spanish possession, Further west on the coast lies Trinidad, at the end of a short railroad running into the interiur, and a port into which the Spanish suppiy ship Purissima Concepcion is reported to have recently made her way with a large quan- lity of food supplies from Jamaica. ‘twenty miles east from Trinidad is Tunas, con- nected directly by rail with Sancti Spiritus, the capital of Santa Clara, also an im- portant port. The next port west of Trini- dad is Cientuegos, already blockaded very effectively, and there 1s no other point to be blockaded frorg that point westward for nearly 140 miies Tut Batabano is reached. This is the port distant only about forty miles from Havana by ii, which is be- lieved to have been the principa: source ot food suppies ior the Spanish capital. For 100 miles west of this, ciear over to Cape Frances, the western edge of the blockaded territory, there ure no poris fer deep ves- sels of any censiderabie draft, und even if there were, the country in the interior, #inar del Ric, is in the hands of the in- surgents, and suppiies could not be sent throug to Havana. The purpose of ex- tending the biockade westward to Cape Frances is to command the channel pe- tween the west side of the Isle of Pines and Cape Frances, and thus render much easier the task of the blockading vessels. Condition of tiavann. The reports which have reached the President as to the exact state of affairs in Havana are conflicting. In some cases the town was declared to be on the verge of starvation; in others, food supplies were sald to be stili abundant. As a matter of fact, the truth probabty lies between these extremes, and while supplies of a certain character are very scarce in Havana, there is no lack of others. It is known, for in- stance, that while flour may be scarce, large quantities of beef have reached Ha- vana. Most of this has come trom Mexico, and it has usually been brought over to the Isle of Pines and then transhipped into light-draft boats and taken to satabano, whence it is carried by rail into Havana. Only a day or two ago word reached here that 500 head of cattle were rounded up at @ point on the Mexican coast near Yuca- tan awaiting transportation to Batabano. There has been no running of the biock- ade by these cattle ships, notwithstanding the Spanish stories to the contrary. All ot the ships that have entered Cuban ports with supplies have done so at Diaces not within the blockade, such as Batabano and Manzanillo. The vessels for this additional service will be supplied almost entirely from the Patrol fleet which, under ~ Commodore Howell, has been guarding the north At- lantic coast from Maine to South Carolina, this service having been abandoned be- cause the only available Spanish warships are with Admiral Camara, thousands of miles away from the nearest point on the Atlantic coast. The vessels are already on their way southward, having been rein- forced by several of the new torpedo boats, which are particularly adapted because of their light draft for blockade duty in the shallow waters lying behind the Isle of Pines and Cuba. Blockade of San Juan. The blockade of San Juan, Porto Rico, proclaimed today, is in reality already in effect, having been initiated by Captain Sigsbee last week when he turned back from that port a British vessel with sup- plies. The difficulty of maintaining the blockade at this port in the face of the Spanish forts and three Spanish war ves- TWO CENTS, sels in the harbor would be considerabie had not Captain Sigsbee, by disabling the only formidable one of these vessels, made the task easier. As it is, the character of vessels required to maintain tne blockade at San Juan must necessarily be of a type superior to those required for the blockade on the southern coast of Cuba. Probably some such vessel as the Detroit or the Montgomery will be assigned to the task. TO END THE F GHT Anti-Annexationists Endeavoriag to Get a Conference, Democrats Admit a Vote Will Be Had —Oxnard Annoyed at The Star's Disclosures, A movement Is on foot today for a con- ference of the anti-arnexationists with the view of ending the fight against the Ha- walian resolutions. Scme of the democrats of the Senate who are opposing the resolu- ticns are dissatisfied with the policy of carrying opposition to such an extent as to make a party issue of it, and want to bring the fight to an end as soon as the oppos! tion side of the case has been fully pre sented. The object of a conference with their associates is to try to reach an agree- ment not to go into a filibuster, but to per- mit a vote to be taken about Friday, so that Congress mzy adjourn by the middle of next week. Whether or not the object of those who want to give up the fight fs attained, the existence of this feeling of dissatisfaction within the ranks of the anti-annexationists and the fire in the rear of the filibusters is almos: certain to break down the fight. There is no longer the least doubt in the minds of senators that Congress will re- main in session until a vote is had on the resolutions, and, therefore, they know the filbuster is useless and can result in noth- ing but a displey of stubbornness on the part of the mirority. This and the fact that the reputation of the Senate would be ccmpromised by a filibuster without the justification of a chance for success is re- serded as liable to break down the opposi- ticn to the resolutions within a compara- tively few days. General Situation Improving. The general situation is regarded as im- proving. The supporters of the Hawaiian Teso.utions h: received assurances from a considerable number of the senators in opposition who have been relied upon for time-consuming speeches that they do not intend to filibuster, and that they are will- ing to hurry their speeches along as much as possible. There is an almost constant discussiva between leaders on both sides of ihe controversy. The opposition sena- tors know now that they cannot prevent a vote on the re lutions, and a disposition to give up the fight is evidently growing. Apparentiy they are Waiting for an oppor- tunity to quit on the fight &racefuily. Yesterday's Alleged Conference. The alleged conference of the anti-an- nexationisis yesterday, at which this morning’s papers said a decision had been reached to r ist eXtension of the daily se 1ons, Was nothing more than a con- ference between Petugrew, White, Jones of Arkansas and Caffery. If a general conference of the anu-annexationists, for which an effort is being made toaay, is held there is no doubt entertained that the ma- Jority sentiment wouid be strangiy in favor of a speedy termination of the ngh One democrauc s nator, who is opposing the Tresviuuons, said today that the democrats conceaed privately that a vote wouid be had on the resolutions by the middie of next week. The failure of the democratic House cau- cus to commit the party on the subject and the manifestation of bad policy as a conse- quence of the effort has been an admoni- tion that it is very bad poutics to keep up the fight. All the confusion into which the democrats of the House have been thrown is the result of an effort to sustain ihe op- position in the Senate with the show of party support, and thus to give some war- rant for a filibuster. The failure to ac- complish this leaves the opposition genators with nothing behind them but the sugar trust, and the trust representatives are said to be much disheartened. Mr. Oanard Greatly Annoyed. It is said about the Senate today that Mr. Oxnard is greatly annoyed on account of the disclosure in The Star yesterday of the motive behind the sugar trust proposition to have the islands acquired by “military occupation” instead of by annexation. —_—_—__e-____ ASSIGNMENT OF OFFICERS. Announcement of Changes in Army Stations. Officers of the army have been assigned to duty, as follows: Major Phillip Mothersill, C. S., to Chick- amauga; Assistant Surgeon R. 8. Jones to Tampa, Fla.; Lieutenant Colonel F. W. Roe, J. A., to Jacksonville, Fla.; Major C. H. Mills, A. A. G., to Falls Church, Va; Capt. C. T. Mcintyre, Signal Corps, to In- dianapolis, Ind.; Lieut. C. H. Martin, Sig- nal Corps, to Pittsburg, Pa.; Capt. Ambrose Higsins to Philadelphia, Pa; Lieuts. Victor Shepard and F. M. Jones, Signal Corps, to report to Lieutenant Colonel Al- len for duty; Post Chaplain George Robin- son to the hospital relief; Major Hugh J. McGrath, to Jacksonville, Fla; Capt. F. L. Martin, Signal Corps, to San Francisco; Major Frank Bruso, surgeon, to Chicka- mauga; Lieut. W. J. Pardee, 25th Infantry, to Jackson, Miss.; Capt. C. E. Cabell, C. S., to. Chicamauga. Brigadier General J. M. Andrews has been assigned to duty with the Ist Army Corps at Chicamauga. Private G. A. Horian, Company A, Dis- trict of Columbia Volunteer Infantry, now at Tampa, has been transferred to Troop I, 1st Volunteer Cavalry, at Chicamauga, Ga. 4% THE STAR BY MAIL. Persons leaving the city for any Period can have The Star mailed to them to any address in the Uniiod States or Canada, by ordering it at this office, in person or by letter. Terms: 18 cents per week; 25 cents for two weeks, or 50 cents por month. Invariably in advance. Sub- ecribers changing their address from one Post-office to another show! give the last address as well as the new one. THE NEUTRALITY LAW United Baton His Not Asked England to Enforce It, NS ee NO INSTRUCTIONS SENT BAY a ee Consul at Port Said Acted on His Major C. H, Milis, A. A. G., has been as- signed to duty with the 2d Army Corps, at Falls Church, Va. Major Josia Pierce, jr., chief engineer, U. 8. V., has been assigned to duty with the second army corps at Falls Church. Lieut. A. W. Yates, 9th Infantry, has been assigned to duty in the office of the adjutant general of the army. Lieut. C. H. Cabaniss has been relieved from duty at the East Florida Seminary. Major Eben Swift, 7th Illinois Infantry, has been appointed lieutenant colonel of the 9th Llinois Infantry. Major O. H. Marriam, 6th Mass. Infan- try; Capt. M. H. Celdwell, 24 Ohio Infan- try; Lieut. W. J. Taylor, 12th Minnesota Infantry, have resigned. London Press Bazaar Opened. LONDON, June 2$8—The Princess of Wales and the Duchess of York this after- noon opened the Press Bazaar at the Hotel Cecil, in behalf of the London Hos- Americans pital. Among the who assisted ere the DucFess of Marlborough, Lady Randolph Churchill and Mise Hew = Own Initiative. SALE OF THE O’HIGGINS LONDON, June 28.—Th reports coming from America that the United States hat requested Great Britain to enforce the neu- ‘ality law by forbidding Admiral Camara’s squadron to coal at Port Said are un- founded. The United States ambassador, Col. John Hay, has received no instructions on the subject, and it is believed in government circles here that the United States not anxious to have Admiral Camara detained. It is surmised that the United States con- sul at Port Said acted on his own initiative in protesting against the ccaling of the Spanish fleet. lt is pointed out that if the Spaniards are denied admission to the canal a precedent will be blished which will prevent the United States from using the canal in the event of that country desiring to send war- ships to the far east by that route during the war. The Cruiser O'Higgins. The report that Spain has purchased the Chilean armored cruiser Almirant> O'Hig- gins, a very powerful vessel of 8,500 tons and steaming twenty-two knots, now re- ceives some credence. It appears that the O'Higgins was very recently offered to the United States for $6,000,000,but, it is added, the authoritiesat Washington deciined to purchase her, con- sidering the price to be twice her value. The United States embassy here has re- ports from several sources that Spain has purchased the O'Higgins, but the Arm- strongs, who built the vessel, deny that she has been sold. A Spanish transport, loaded with sailors, left Corunna on June 10 for an unknown destination, and it is surmized that the sailors were intended to be transferred to the O'Higgins, which was last reported to have arrived at the Cape Verde Islands on June 15 from Newcastle. Two Chinese cruisers which are reported to have been purchased by Spain are probably the two vesseis of 3,000 tons each which have been in course of construction at Stettin. They will not be ready for sev- eral months, and were offered to the Unit- ed States and declined. Anti-British Feeling. LONDON, June 28.—The Evening News this afternoon publishes a long dispatch from Manila, which emphasizes the strong ant-British feeling which has sprung up at the capital of the Philippine Islands, and refers to the necessity of sending more British ships there, and to the conviction of the Spaniards that Germany is going to help them. The Evening News then says: “There are two points in our telegram which we com- mend to the attention of the government Firstly, the influence which the presence of the German’ squadron is exereising on the situation. Seconaiy, the obyious danger to the English should the Spanish soldiers, who are without food and wages, determing to kick over the traces.” Balfour Answers Quest LONDON, June 28.—The first k treasury and government leader, A. J. Bal- four, replying in the house of commons to- Gay to a question of James Henry Dalzell, liberal, member for the district of Kirk- caldy, said her majesty’s government was not aware that Spain had arranged with an English firm to recoal Admira! Camara’s squadron at Port Said. Every precaution, Mr. Balfour added, would be taken to pre- serve neutrality by the yuan govern- ment in Egyptian ports, as by the British government at British ports. Replying to Sir Edward Gourley, liberal, member for Sunderland, the first lord of the admuraity, George J. Goschen, said the gov- ernment had not received a report that marines or bluejackets from either the slups of Great Britain or those of other European powers had been landed at Manila, with the sanction of Rear Admiral Dewey, to protect the residents of their several nationalities. —— CAPTURED SPY'S STORY. He Tells of the Feeling and Condition of the Santiagans. (Copyright, 1898, by the Associated Press.) Baiquiri, Province of Santiago de Cuba, Monday, June via Kingston, Jamaica, s June 28, 9 am—A Spanish spy who was captui by the Cubans on Sun- day reporis that the Spaniards in Santiago believe the Americans suffered heavy loss during the fighting near Sevilla on Friday, j both in killed and wounded. The spy also reported that there was much criticism in Santiago on account of the fact that the American landing was not contested at Baiquiri, and he also says there was talk of an American attempt to flank the Spanish troops. The spy says there is very little food in the city of San- tiago. ———— NEW FRENCH CABINET. Brisson is President and Cavaignae Minister of War. PARIS, June 28—The new French cabi- net, as definitely formed, is as follows: President of the council and minister of the intericr, M. Henri Brisson. Minister of finance, M. Paul Peytral. Minister of education, M. Leon Bour- geois. Minister of justice, M. Ferdinand Sarrien. Minister of war, M. Godefroy Cavaignac. Minister of marine, M. Edouard Simon Lockroy. Minister of foreign affairs, M. Théophile Deicasse. Minister of the colonies, M. Georges Trouillot. ‘ Miister of commerce, M. Emile Marue- jouis. Minister of agriculture, M. Albert Viger. Minister of public works, Senator Tillaye. The ministers will be presented to Presi- dent Faure this afternoon. ~~ NO DEAL ON, Mr. Wagner Says He Will Trade Doyle if He Can. In response to a telegraphic inquiry re- Specting the truth of certain reported deals affecting the Washington Base Bail Clut the following was received The Star from St. Louis this afternoon: ~ lam to trad? Doyle if I can. Aj present no deal on. J. EARL WAGNER.