The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-05-25
VERY SENSATIONAL RUMORS.
Reports Ranged from Capture of the
Mauqroye to Big Naval Battle.
ACTIVITY IN SPANISH NAVY YARDS
strntegists Are Not GulIed--The
Oregon In Safe.

Washington, May 24.--There was a re-
| vival In the sensational war rumors In
Washington today after week Of compare
tive quiet. The rumors ranged all the way
from the capture of the little Mangrove
win crew of thirteen men to the reported
| destruction OF the entire Spanish fleet by
Sampscn's and Schleys combined forces.
They were circulated with persistence, not
wlthstandlng the denial by the department
heads. AS the day rolled along the officials
| themselves became apprehensve as was
shown by the frequency with which they
| called for the latest newspaper bulletins
AT the close of the day, however, it was
again announced in the most positive man
ner that the navy department had no news
TO warrant the reported engagement in the
Windward waters. This did not specifically
| cover the West Indian waters hut since
the department has almost pledged itself
to let the public know OF anything In the
nature of general engagement, possibly
the bulletin announcement is Dulficieut TO
cover the case.
when Secretary Long started fer home
after an exceptionally busy day he stated
TO group OF newspaper men that the de-
pGrtmt Mt had received no information of
Importance. In answer TO an inquiry as to
where the Spanish fleet is located Mr. Long
SAID his lelief was that 1t was still a. San
tl2go dc Cuna.
Concerning the reported capture of the
Mangrove and the loss of other ships, the
secretary dismissed these stories as purely
conJecturai, end not supported by facts.
q ~ had
the MangroVe since the time Of the alleged
capture, showing That the ship could not
nave been In the hands or the Spanards.
Mr. Long paid handsome compliment to |
the war board, and seated that there was |
10 purpose whatever OF changing the pres |
ent system whereby this board co-operates |
"lh him in giving every possible assist
ant ana ADVICE mainly in the way of in
formation 10 the admlras in command
The officers were not to fight battles . |
mat was the work of the squadron com
uanders. Inc board acted merely in an |
ADVISORY way, end does not assume active
functions.
Inc Spaniards appear to be making read, |
Tor something more definite than a cam |
ialsh dt nome, at least they are trying TO
create mat impression by other means than
news received daily from Madrid. The
navy department now has, through its own
rendble sources. reports of the greatest ac-
uNity IN the Spanish navy yards and of
lfepaatlons for sea and for a long vow
age OF two OF the torpedo boat destroyers.
IL Is gwen out that they are to join Ger
VIA immediately, when his squadrons en-
terS Cadlz harbor. Possibly this statement
Is made with deliberate purpose of mis-
leaaing American sallcrs into the belief that
NerNera has taken his way homeward.
INQUIRIES as TO the whereabouts of the
oregon brought a reply this afternoon to
the effect that the battleship was safe,
Nothing coula be learned of her location.
IT Is PROBABLE that the kilograms said to
nave emanated from the vessel recentlv
were not filed at Key West. hut we're
brought there on some dsrltch boat from
tne oregon, which is cooperating with our
fleets. W"
Blanco has yet one link left OF comnu.
nlc@uon with the outer world. but the
oiailsh commander at San Juan now finds 8
liinSelt totally in the dark as TO conditions
IN Spain or in Cuba while the value NJ ,
that port as a place of refuge for the Snan-
ish Tying squadron is materially dimin-
'sned' 1t Is safe to say that the remaining
caole to Santiago will be cut SOM lilo |
ms others, so that If Cervera is misguided
enough to enter Santiago barber he will bo
completely out OF touch with his home gov !
eminent on the one hand and equally UNI
ans TO communicate with Blanco IN tho
other hand w. WV
me Philippine expedition IL now off In
aead earnest. Like the Charleston, the ,,
transports must stop at Hawaii to recoaI
II lhe Hawaians let us take this coal with.
out ,he preteXt that We are using 1t to
make our way to our nearest home port. as ,
Is required by international law, il will ,
'tand convicted of a gross breach OF neu- ;
Iraity, and will, according to interpationa, =
sw' ally them to the United States in hos e
ility to Spain.