The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-05-27

Washington, May 26.-Secretary Long
said, at the close of office hours to-day,
that no word had come from any of the
scouting vessels so numerous in West
Indian waters concerning the Spanish
flying squadron, wherefore he concluded
that Cervera was still in Santiago har-
Dor. Supposedly, Schley is lying out
side watching the entrance to prevent
the egress of the Spanish vessels, but,
while there is evidence of certain kind
on that fact, there has been no official
marka BILE in view of the fact that it is
only a days run for one of Schley's
swift torpedo boats from Santiago to a
cable port in Hayti. There is also a
curious lack of information from news
paper boats on this point. 1t was sup
posed that the censors might have ex-
cised from the dispatches of the news
paper men any reference to the fleets.
but this would apply, according to the
statement of the naval department off,
Gals here, only to that part of the dis
patches that might relate to the move
ments and whereabouts of the United
States forces, and the censors' rules
would not exclude reference to the
Spanish squadron. Notwithstanding
that the officials profess unshaken con-
fidence in their original belief that the
Spanish squadron is securely bottled up
in Santiago harbor. there is no conceal
ment by them of an intense desire to
Oh al in
formation on that point. 1t is not to be
doubted that with the question still open
the beginning of the military operations
are retarded. or, as long as there exists
a possibility of the Spanish naval force
being at large. there is an indisposition
to start the troop transports for Cuba.
Probably it was this uncertain state
of affairs that induced the president to
call a consultation at the white house
to-day between Secretaries Long and
Alger. General Miles and the members
of the naval war board, Admiral Sicard,
Captain Crowninshield and Captain
Mahan. As stated by one of the men,
bers of the conference, the purpose was
to go over the whole situation from the
Philippines to Cuba and Porto Rico and
decide just how far the plans already
laid should be modified to meet exist
ing conditions. This involved a discus
sion of such important points as the pro-
priety of the immediate advance of the
military forces upon Cuba; the credi-
bility of the advices so far had touch
ing the location of the Spanish squad
ron: the policy Of preceding the Cuban
expedition. or accompanying 1t, with one
taI Inst nd ttnn IL
ly, the extent Of the military assistance
to be sent to Admiral Dewey at Ma
nila.
AS already indicated. the proceedings
were rather in the nature of a consulta-
tion than of war council, whereat
full decision is demanded at once, so
II is not probable all OF these import
ant questions were disposed of at the
council. None of the members of the
conference felt authorized to tell what
had taken place, but there are thought
to be patent indications of a decision TO
embark military expeditions in the
course OF the next few days, whether
for Cuba or Porto Rico, can only be
conjectured.
There was a lack of news to-day from
Admiral Dewey, and this convinced the
naval authorities that there could be
little credence placed in the Madrid re-
port of an accident to the Baltimore.
In the rush of military preparations,
the war department officials have not
been able to give much attention to the
regulations for the procurement of the
5000 additional volunteers called for |
yesterday by the president. 1t is still
uncertain just how far the national au-
thorities will go toward recruiting
these forces themselves. nor is IL posi-
lively known that independent organ
izstions. companies, battalions and
regiments raised by individuals will
be accepted en- bloc. IL by SO doing the /.
department Is required TO accept the Of
ficers with the men. Indeed. IL is now
questioned whether. under the law. the |
department could. IL IL would. accept |
services of officers under such condi- |
tions. as the governors of the states |
appear TO be the only persons autho- !
rized To issue commissions below the |
regimentai grade. There are many |
other various questions to be settled |
before the regulations can be promul- |
gated. but. unfortunately. in the judg- |
ment of the department officials. due |
notice having been given to the people ]
of desire for more troops by the