The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-04-29

Washington, ID. c., April 2S.-The
shelling of the Matanzas batteries was
the topic of absorbing interest through
out naval and official circles generally
today. 1t was discussed on the basis of
the press reports from Key West, as the
Navy Department received no informa
ton whatever on the subject. Secretary
Long said at o'clock this afternoon, as
he closed up his office work of the day,
that no report had been receioved from
Admiral Sampson nor was the Navy
Department advised in any way of the
shclling of Matanzas. Mr.. Long added
that he felt no disposition to keep from
the public any news concerning such an
important event as q naval engagement.
or battle. The Secretary said that in
the absence Of all official information he
was inclined to believe that the shelling
was confined to the exchange of Il few
shots, and did not assume the proportions
of regular bombardment. When his
attention was directed TO reports that
the shclling was the result of direct or
ders from the President, the Secretary
said this was not SO, as the President
was giving no direct orders on any of
these movements.
The Navy Department has ceased its
purchase of ships for conversion into
war vessels, owing TO the exhaustion Of
the So0,000.O00 war fund. 1t is CON
fidently expected that Congress will
come 10 the relief. as the department is
still in need of auxiliary vessels.
The Port Royal dry dock, according
to welcome official information. will be
agcaGEilaIa IN tl, n:
gest Of the fleet, should they meet with
accident during the campaign The re-
port from the constructor in charge,
shows that the entrance to the dock
is now dredged and clear. The work of
dredging the basin is still in progress.
and while this is not absolutely neces-
sary, it is extremely desirable in order
to insure the safety Of the ships in
docking, and the department is endeav-
orIng TO hasten the contractors in their
work. They estimate that about Is
days more Will suffice to complete IT.
The Board of Bureau Chiefs met TO-
day to begin the consideration of the
plans for the three new battleships. alI-
thorizcd by the Naval Appropriation bill
and progressed so far that circulars viii
be sent out tomorrow. inviting bids. from
the ship builders. The vessels will be
III the main very similar to the battle
snip Illinois, now building 1T Newport
News. They viii be at about l.. 800
tons displacement, - feet beam. 23H
feet depth, 16 knots speed will be cover
ed with heavy armor and armed with
13 and q inch guns, in addition to numer-
Gus secondary batteries.
1t can be stated authoritatively that
there is no present prospect of u change
i'll the head of the Navigation Bureau.
A rather striking sign of the immin-
ence of the invasion Of Cuba. was con-
tanned in the chartering to-day by the
War Department of eight large steamers
Of an average capacity of about 1000
tons, and able TO carry from 500 to 1,200
passengers each. These are to be used
as transports for the convenience Of the
first military expedition 70 Cuba. The
names of the boats are the Oliyette and
the Florida, of the Plant Line, now in
the Gulf; the Southern Pacific Com
pany's steamer Aranzas; the New York
anu Texas Companys vessel Comal, OF
New York. and the Malamo. now on
route to the Gulf; and three fine fine
sllps OF the Boston Merchant and Min
ers Line IN Baltimore, the Allegheny
lne berkshire and the Decatur Miller
piAt' ptfit loI THESE vessels rs IRON
aiV.VVo 70 slo.ooO for the thirty days in
which they are engaged They will be
taken charge of by the Quartermaster's
Department at the earliest possible mo.
ment.
General Shafter in command Of thc
United States troops, now concentrated
at New Orleans, has been in consultation
with the officials to-day as to the execu.
ton Of plans of the campaign. but tbe
orders given TO him cannot be made
public.
The President and Cabinet viii con
slider tomorrow the large number of an
plications that have been made for an
pointment to the posts of major genera
and brigadier general, and there is som,
expectation that he will be able to nomi
nate few of these officers tomorrow.
General FitZhugh Lee arrived here 10
day. after ten days visit to his famil,
iii Virginia. The General shared th
keen public interest in the report Of tn