The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-05-17
SPANISH SPY SEIZED.
Us
=. Had a Plan to Blow Up War
Ships at Key West.
SLIP-Up OF The CUSSIE.
loo Much Publicity Before She
Sailed.
TAMPA TO Be PROTECTED.
Large Guns and MOrtars to Be Put
in Position.

Tampa, Fla, May 16-Another prisoner
of war was captured to-day, and is now
under heavy guard at Port Tampa, charg-
ed with being a Spanish spy. The name
of the prisoner could not be aseertained,
but it was learned that he was arrested
at Dry Tortugas, where he was planning
to place mine in the harbor with the in
tention of destroying boats of the Amer
lean navy It is evident that he will be
tried by court martial as soon as he ar
rives at Fort Mcpherson. where he will
be taken by a Squad of Soldiers. If the
charge against him is fully proven he will
very likely be executed at once.
The steamer Gussie, which sailed from
Port Tampa last Tuesday. laden with
arms. ammunition and supplies for the use
of Gen. Gomez's army. and with two crack
companies of the First Infantry, returned
to-day, bringing most of her cargo back.
The story of the failure of the expedi-
ton has already been told. 1t is hardly
probable that another attempt will be
made to land the supplies until the whole
expedition moves. The army officials are
strongly inclined to lay the blame of the
failure of. the Gussie expedition to the
wide publicity given of the sailing.
The Spanish forces in Cuba were un-
doubtedly kept fully posted on every detail
of the movement and made preparations
to meet the Gussie when she appeared off
the coast.
1t is intimated that press censorship
at Tampa may be established should
movement of troops take place from here
in the near future. Had such a course
been pursued before, 1t is claimed that
the chances of a successful landing of the
Gussies supplies and placing them in the
hands of the insurgents would have been
greater
Richard Harding Davis. the author,
whose nomination as assistant adjutant
general of volunteers with the rank of
captain was recently confirmed, has de-
clined to accept. Mr.. Davis said that
while he deeply felt the honor conferred
upon him. yet the fact that he was en-
tirely ignorant of the duties of the office,
and the fact that there were many Off
GERS in the regular army deserving of
promotion, forced him to decline
Gov. Bloxham of Florida, and his staff
arrived in Tampa to-day and the work
of forming the Florida troops into a regi-
ment was begun Immediately. The live
battalons win be cut down TO three and
the number of troops TO 1000 The reg-
ment viii then be mustered in and officers
elected.
Maj. Webb c. Hayes of the First Ohio
cavalry regiment of volunteers, was to-
day attached to Gen. Skaters staff.
The necessity of affording protection to
the enormous amount of COAL ammunition
and government supplies of all kinds at
Port Tampa and the dangerous proximity
of the Spanish fleet Florida waters have
resulted in the pushing 10 completion of
the fortfcations at Egmopt and Mullet
Keys, commanding the entrance to Tampa
oay Several five-inch siege guns and
seven-inch howitzors, to be placed in these
lortlncatons, have already arrived ana
others are on the way. There is also on
hand plentiful supply of ammunition and
torpedo material
EIhe harbor from the entrance TO Port
Iampa has been thoroughly mapped OUT
ana the. loca tons for torpedoes and sub
marine mines decided upon
., INSIDE Of few days the harbor' will be
thoroughly protected
member of the Tampa Rifles was
MADE the victim yesterday of a trial by
vi uIhnead court martial in the absence of
tHe onlcers. Ele had complained of the
IOod, saying he could not eat erits He
Was puiy convicted and sentenced to mark
tl!ne Tor twenty minutes, which he did
Inc camp was visited yesterday by a
large number of Tampa ladies' many of
Whom have friends, relatives and ac-
qualntances among the various companies
Inc scene was quite animated but it Is
not 50 lively to-day.
A number of companies of Florida vol
uhteers, who were delayed i'm leaving their
HsSdquarters, are now here and in camp
Inc physical examination of the volun-
tesIs by the army surgeons has begun, and
wiil continue until al of them have been
examined. This examination seems des-
nned 70 bring disappointment TO many of
tne soldiers who enlisted, hoping to go to
CUBA, as it Is believed that fully 30 per
cent. of them will be rejected
Inc election Of colonel to lead the Flor
lua troops throughout the Cuban cam
palSh is now the absorbing topic and
promises to he lively one, Maj Thomas
M Woodruff, Of the Fifth Infantry, U. S.
A. VINO has been assistant adjutnnt gem
erai Of, this state for several years. is con-
oedeu 70 be in the lead, while his strongest
compe titor is Lieut.. Sam Smoke who Is
Inlhtdry instructor at the state college.
Inc election will be by a popular vote of
INC members Of the twelve companies who
volunteered first when the Presidents call
war raado
Another transport arrived at Port Tam
pa tp-ddy and several more are expected
10 arrive before night Two of the ships
are now loaded with ammunition and sup
pies and are ready 10 take on troops and
leave on an hours notice.
---->.-
Personal am very sorry, Capt
Gihos but ke,roun1stances over which 7