The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-05-09
AT THE WAR DEPARTMENT.
Sunday Was an Active Day-Refuse to
Give Out Information About Samp-
sons Fleet.

Sunday Was an Active Day-Refuse to
Give Out Information About Samp-
sons Fleet.
Washington, d. c., May S.-Sunday
was far from being Il day of rest at the
State. War and Navy Departments, and
so many officials and clerks were en-
gagged mt their desks that one Of the Of
licers was compelled to remark: 1--WE
are not working on Sunday; this is
simply an extension of the executive day
of Saturday"
Secretary Day sDent a good part OF
the day in his office going over telc-
grams and mail dispatches and consult
ing with Second Assistant Adee so that
the department was fully prepared TO
deal with any advices that might come
by cable and require immediate action.
In the Navy Department Colonel
Roosevelt was at his desk while the
Navigation Bureau had almost full
force ut work. The Bureau of Yards
al Docks was also Ouen, and Captain
and Docks was also open, and Captain
had Il good deal of business on hand.
No word came during the day by cable
or otherwise to supplement the account
received of the engagement at Manila,
but the officials are Derfecting all ar
engagements for sending him the supplies
and repair outfit he may need.
If any news has been received from
Admiral Sampson it was not of a char
acter that could be made public with
ont endangering the successful working
of the plans of the Strategy Board 1t
may be stated positively, however, that
so far the department has heard moth
ing of an engagement or of anything APP
proacAng one. between the fleet and the
Spanish forces 1t is expected by the
officials that there will be nothing like
the delay experienced in the case
of the Philippine fight in hearing
from Admiral Sampson in case Of an
engagement in the West Indies. Without
in any wise admitting that Porto Rico
is Simpsons objective point, it is point
ed out that even allowing the Spanish
the retention of cable communication
from that island to the outside world.
there is an independent cable connec-
ton from st. Thomas that cannot come
under Spanish control running as it.
does. through the chain of French and
British islands southwark from st.
Thomas and thence to Hayti, where di-
rect cable connection can be had with
New York. From the character of the
ships under Simpsons direct command,
the officials feel little doubt of the sue
cessfu outcome of a fight between his
force and the Spanish Flying Squadron,
Outside the flagship New York, which
is partly armored. all of the vessels
with Admiral Sampson, with one excep-
ton, are full iron-clads. and moreover.
their armor being full nickel steel har-
veyized. is so superior to the armor of the
Spanish cruisers that it is calculated
that nine inches of it is fully equal in
resisting power to twelve inches of the
unhardened and older armOr of the
Spanish ships. In the War Department
both General Miles and Adjutant Gem
eral Corbin were hard at work. There
are outward evidences of a change Of
plan for the Cuban campaign that can
not be described at present but which
promise to be very acceptable to the
thousands of people who are waiting for
developments. Major General Wilson
spent some time in conference with
General Miles going over the ground.
\ lot of pins capped with bits of paper
to represent the different arms Of the SER
vice. are lying in readiness in the Gen
erals ante-room to be used to pin to
maps in following out the progress Of
the troons in Cuba.
Adiutant General Corbin was one of
the busiest men in the city today. Telc-
grams were pouring in on him from eve
ry part of the country, mostly in refer
ence to the assembling of the great vol
unteer army now in progress in, every
State and Territory of the Union. The
Adiutant General is highly gratifed
with the splendid response that has come
to the Presidents call for volunteers.
and at the good work being done by the
army mastering officers, as evidenced by
kilograms he was receiving from them