The Independent. [volume] (Honolulu, H.I.) 1895-1905, 1898-05-26

ward Islands at the very time when
the Oregon was due there. 1t had
been suspected that the Spanish ad-
miral would try to intercept tho
battleship with his superior force,
and before leaving Bahia Captain
Clark of the Oregon was warned to
keep close lookout for the Spanish
fleet.
In reply Captain Clark expressed
his confidence in being able to hold
his own single-handed against all
the Spanish cruisers. The only ap-
prehsnsion he felt was as to torpedo
boats under the Spanish admiraPs
com mand, for these are new and
practically untried element against
the modern battleship, and Captain
Clark, while confident of holding
out against these also, said chance
blow might be struck by them.
Notwithstanding Captain Clark's
assurances, the Navy Department
continued to feel that a meeting be-
tween the Spanish squadron and the
American battleship on such un-
equal terms was far from desirable
aud might bring serious results.
For this reason the official informa-
ton reaching the authorities to-day
WAS the source of most hearty con-
graduation. Where the report came
from was not made known, but the
mere fact that Secretary Long re-
CARDS the Oregon as safe makes it
possible that she has passed to
northward Of the Windward Islands
The cruiser Charleston, which
started to-day on her long journey
to meet Admiral Dewey at Manila,
should arrive there in about twenty
four days. allowing couple Of days
at Honolulu for coal.
The stock of ammunition which
the Charleston carries is believed
to be the great essential just now,
the fierce engagement at Cavite
having consumed large part OF
the American admiraPs shot and
she'll.
There is a good deal OF talk at the
War Department to-day of the pos.
sibility OF an issue by the President
of another call for volunteers, but
careful inquiry tends to warrant the
statement that this is at least
premature and that no further cal
is likely to issue until the aggregate
number of soldiers already called
for have responded aud have been
duly equipped for service. This last
matter, the equipment of the new
troops, is the main source OF delay
and promises to become even worse
in the near future.
The Kearsarge and Kentucky will
soon be- ready for service; likewise
the Newark, aud it is believed the
cruisers Columbia and San Fran
cisco, which have been stationed of
the New England coast, are alsc
under orders to proceed south and
join either Sampson or Schley
The auxiliary cruiser st. Paul, Cap
tain Sigsbee, arrived at Key Yves
to-day The addition of these wa
vessels will greatly strengthen tn,
fighting and flying squadrons. Their,
will be sufficient force not only t.
effectually maintain the blockade o
Cuba's south coast, but for the sieg
OF Havana. Blsnco's forces will b.
attacked by our land forces befor
relief can reach him from Admira
Cervera,
Meanwhile the Board of Strategy
facetiously known here as the "Boart
OF Lethargy," is without any in
formation as to the present where
abouts of the Spaniards or thei
probable destinations All it appear
to know is that the feet sale,
northwesterly from Curacao. NJ
confirmation OF the report that tn
squadron is now in the harbor O
San Juan has been received eithe
through the press or official dis
, patches. II the Spaniards are at Sa
Juan no further strategy will be re
CURED. They will either bs Tough