The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-06-17

actual events. there was little to record
to-day. No word came from Sampson.
at Santiago. or Dewey. at Manila. This
spective seats of war gave rise to no
apprehension. The officials are rest
ing secure in the belief that the ma
rines at Guantanamo can easily main
tain themselves until the troops arrive,
and the worst that can be feared at
Manila is not harm to Dewey. but to
the Spaniards in the city. The officials
in the war department do not give out
any specific information as 10 when
General Shafter will land in Cuba. but
from certain signs of restlessness ex-
hibited by them 1t Is evident that they
would not be surprised to have some
very important news within the next
"a or 36 hours.
The naval officials are confident that
Sampson will re-establish cable COM
munication within that time. so news
of the American ships of Santiago
should not be longer delayed than the
time required for a dispatch boat to
make the run of 40 miles eastward along
the coast to the shores of Guantanamo
ndTDOT, WncTt tnt CdOie Will Dt WI Nib
under the protection of Colonel Hunt
ington's marines. There was an ex-
hibition OF feverish activity at the war
department to-day so pronounced as
to attract attention. even in these STIR
ring times
1t was apparent that renewed efforts
were making to complete the equipment
of the troops already gathered at the
concentration points. and that prepara-
tions are In progress to move number
of troops. so far, however. IL Is stated
that no orders have gone out for the
actual movement. and what has been
done I'm that direction Is merely prepar-
atory Very likely definite action will
follow the conference Secretary Alger
and the president viii have with Gen.
eral Miles when he arrives here to-mor-
row from Tampa. The general Is bet
ter aware of the exact state OF fitness OF
the troops at the Southern rendezvous
points than any one else. and the pres
ident and Secretary Alger In all prob
ability will be bound by what he has
to say in deciding upon the further dis
Rosition of the troops. II General
Miles, as Is thought to be probable.
recommends a further concentration OF
| troops on the Southern seaboard. the
new camp at Fernandina. Fla. VIII be
made ready for the reception OF the ad-
ditional troops. The officials have been
forehanded as to this camp. profiting by
the experience gained in the establish
ment of the two great camps at Chicka-
mauga and Camp Alger.
The president has not yet decided
what measure OF reward shall be meted
to Hobson for his brave achievement
The men ne led have been taken care
of: Secretary Long attended to that
himself, because II was a matter en-
tirely within his authority. and they
have been made warrant officers. the
ideal of a sailors ambition. Hobson Is
to be advanced. That is settled. The
department called upon Sampson for a
recommendation in this case. but In
advance of it's arrival had about de-
cided to advance Hobson 10 numbers.
which would have placed him just be-
low Constructor L,lnnard. when a
doubt arose as TO whether the young
man would not prefer a transfer to the
line. His relatives were consulted.
among them his uncle. the Rev. Mr..
Parson of North Carolina. and IL was
decided to allow Hobson to make bis
choice as between the line and staff.
Steps accordingly have been taken to
acquaint him with the departments
purpose and ask his pleasure in the
matter.
The navy department has sent to the
battleship Massachusetts a COMPLETE
new breech mechanism for one Of the
big Io-inch guns OF that ship. This was
due to a report reaching the depart
ment about a week ago that the breech
of one of the guns was out of order.
The new mechanism will be delivered
In a few days. and IL can be readily
substituted for the old breech. The
condition of this 13-inch gun gave rise
to rumors to-day that the Massachu-
setts had suffered rather severely dur
ing the first action OF Santiago and
that two OF the big guns were disabled
and a gunner killed. There was no
basis for the rumor beyond the disor-
dered breech mechanism referred to.