The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-04-30

Washington, April 29.-This was a
the way from the blowing up of a big
monitor to the detention and punish
ment of traitors. but fortunately all of
them turned out on inquiry to be with
out foundation. Actual events of inn
portance were few in number. The news
of the day of most interest was the de-
parture from Cape Verde of the Span
ish fleet, the stay of which at st. Vim
cent has been a source of anxiety on
the part of officials here because 1t
seemed TO indicate that the sympathy
of Portugal for Spain might lead her to
wink at a violation of the neutrality law
in favor of Spain. This afternoon a
cablegram came to the state department
from Cape Verde, bearing no signature
announcing that four battleships and
three torpedo boats had started north
and some for Cuba, and that the north
ern fleet returned shortly, having been
in collision. Because there was no sig
nature attached. the officials did not
know what Importance to attach to this
message. as these are not times to ac-
cept what appears to be information
without close scrutiny.
Captain Sampson sent q telegram
relative to the firing at the Matanzas
forts, but ii was disappointingly lack
ing in details. though the few words
contained in the dispatches went to
confirm the official view that the affair
was nothing more than a naval recon-
noissance.
No news came to-day from Admiral
Deweys squadron, now on its way to
the Philippines to do battle with the
Spanish fleet. One officer pointed out
to-day that IL Admiral Dewey succeed
ed in defeating the Spanish fleet the
Spanish officials. who control the cable
connecting the island with the rest of
the world. will in all probability sup
press the news or distort the facts into
a Spanish victory. Presuming that the
admiral is bound directly for Manila,
the calculation made at the navy de-
partment shows he will arrive about 2
o'clock Saturday morning. Manila
time, which is about IL hours earlier
than our own.
The pressure is unabated in the war
department for changes In the plans al
ready announced as to mobilization of
the volunteer troops, and very much
against its will and. judgment the de-
partment is making some concession in
this matter. A large number of callers
are bringing forward candidates for the
many plums within the gift of the presi-
dent and Secretary Alger. i'm the shape
of appointments to grades above regi-
mental in the army. General Lee and
General Dodge spent a god part of the
day in conference with officials, giving
color TO the reports that they are among
those selected for appointment at major
generals.
The announcement that the State of
Texas. laden with supplies for the re-
concentrates. is destined for Sagua.
ably this port instead of Matanzas
which has been selected for the land
ing place for the first attack of the
United states troops.
Regarding the harmless growls that
appear in the European papers and
threats To interfere to prevent the
United States forces from blockading
the Philippines. IL may be stated that
this would be fully expected. During
attempts on the part of European ma
tions to disregard our blockade and
threats of interference, all of which
came to naught from the firm attitude
assumed by the secretary of state. In
the present case the conditions of the
Cuban blockade are much more liberal
toward the powers than ever imposed
before. In anticipation of the action
of the German commercial interests in
combining to secure exception from
search for their mail steamers. IL is