The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-11-12
IRST EDITIO N
Great Naval Expedition to San Do
mingo-A Portion of the Island
Said to Have Been Ceded
to the United
States.
Rnmors of n secrer TrenIy.

Rumors of n Secret Treaty.
There were rumors to the effect that the Gov
ernment had concluded a secret treaty with ST.
Domingo for the possession OF certain portion
of the island. But exactly what this meant was
a question rather difficult to answer. Why did
Uncle Sam make such treaty? What was it
intended to bring about Merchants down
town, having mercantile interests in San Do
mingo, became puzzled over the matter, and
many an extra ''brandy cocktail, with partaga
attached, was INDUCED in over the subject
From the NJ y. World Of this morning.
In q day or two st. Domingo will doubtless be
occupied by United States troops. The sailing of
the man-ot-war Albany for that place on We'd
nesday has created intense excitement among
the Cubans and sympathizers with the
Spanish cause in in this city. BY
the Cubans the fact is accepted as an indication
of n definite policy Of the United States Gov
eminent in favor of the revolution. The Spa
niards in the city and their sympathizers con-
strue the matter in another way, but are in
doubt as to the exact meaning of the movement.
20 They would like to consider it n movement de-
signed to aid in suppressing the rebellion, but,
knowing the American sentiment on the sub
ject so well as they do, they are much in doubt
as to whether it means friendship or hostility to
the Spanish Government
Bound for St. Domingo.
The Albany left this port on Wednesday.
Captain Balch commanding. She took out 1000
tons of ammunition field pieces, guns for fortif-
4 cations, rifles, and other warlike implements.
The fact of q regular United States man-of-war,
under the charge of United States naval officers,
leaving for st. Domingo was something which
naturally excited deep interest in the public
mind. The question "What does it all mean?"
was asked by disinterested parties and even the
= old yorker element" that seldom cares about
affairs beyond the shores of Manhattan Island,
began to grow disturbed and to inquire, ''What
in the deuce Is Uncle Sam going to do now!",
Does Ii Mean Aid TO Cubae
Finally, by some it was concluded that the
destination of the man-of-war Albany was st.
Domingo, and that the expedition meant assist
ance to Cuba. Maps were overhauled, and it
was believed that the Albany would proceed
direct to st. Domingo, land Immediately oppo-
site Cape Major, and there, forty or fifty miles
from Cuba, establish base of supplies to be
used in aiding the Cuban reyolutionists in their
war Tor independence.
Doubt and Confusion.
There were some, however, who believed the
expedition was bound for Hayti for the purpose
of recognizing the revolutionists of that country
and regards them as bellgerents. Amid all this
doubt and confusion of opinion or speculation
on the subject, it was pretty authentically re-
ported that the troops taken out by the Albany
on reaching st. Domingo, would land on terri
tory belonging to the United States, inasmuch
as q portion OF that territory has been ceded to
this Government and then the object of the ex-
pedition was TO take possession of the newly
acquired land, and plant in its soil n staff from
which the stars and stripes should evermore
Heat.
Important Details.
The Tortugas will be the first landing place of
the Albany. There the steamer will take on
board 500 United States soldiers. The eXpedi-
tion is accompanied by three United States Com
missioners, who were specially sent from Wash
ington, and who it is understood, are Invested
with power to practically conclude the treaty by
taking possession of the ceded territory. Only
a few weeks since, Lieutenant Colonel Babcock,
formerly of General Grants staff, accompanied
by Senator Cole of California, visited st. Do
mingo on secret mission, and it is believed
that the cession of a portion of the island has
been the result of that mission.
The Albany carries 250 officers and crew, one
company of Marines aud about forty guns. The
Miantonomah and the Mantle have received
orders to join the West India squadron, and thi
fact, Joined to those already stated seem to in
dicate some important movement by the United
States Government in its relation to Cuba.
Another Account of the Sailing.
From the ~ Y Herald.
On Wednesday forenoon the United States
frigate Albany, forty guns, sailed from this port
commanded by Captain Balch, under sealed
orders. The Albany had been speedily put in
commission, and provided with the necessary
stores and supplies, by orders from the Navy
Department, urging the utmost alacrity. This
TACT in itself was nothing strange, for similar
orders commanding haste and speed in the fitting
out of war vessels for sea are rarity in our
naval service. But what was indeed remarkable
consisted in the fact that on board the Albany
were placed one thousand tons of heavy guns,
ammunition, and small arms, the heavy ord
nance being exclusively adapted to coast defense
or forts.
still further crcu ance to awaken the
curiosity of all who know anything of the matter
was that the Albany on Tuesday evening left
the Navy Yard, steamed slowly down the East
river, and came to anchor off the battery where
she lay all night. Early in the morning and
before sunrise, and within half hour after the
arrival of the train from Washington at the
Jersey City depot three gentlemen, not over
burdened with baggage, were observed to make
their way to the United States Barge Office,
where yawl from the Albany was evidently in
waiting for their arrival, and Immediately con-
yeyed them TO the frigate. No sooner had they
set foot on deck when anchors were weighed;
the splendid vessel turned her prov towards the
Narrows and steamed off.