Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-06-10
N YSTERIOUS SHIPS
ARMY WILL war; FOR THEN TO
he DISPOSED or.
THE SANTIAGO SITUATION.
sampson May Proceed to Capture the
City, without waiting for Troops
from Tampa-Many Americas WAR;
Vessels Approaching Complction.

WASHINGTON, June 9.-It become sp-
parent this afternoon that the MAR pe-
partment, through the energetic o7iccs
OF its censors, had succeeded entirely In
its purpose 10 keep the movements OF
the United States army secret. Tor pe>
yond question, at the close of tis day,
1t was Impossible TO learn hsre wnere
the United States troops are which had
oeen Tor weeks gathering under command
OF General snarer. In r1orida.
Stories OF the appearance OF mysterious
warships in Cuban waters floatsd through
the Navy Department during the day.
The officers quickly condemned them de-
ciarlng that IL the boats we're SPANISH
they were nothing more than small arm
ed launches, and not 10 be feared by any
number of transports conveyed by such
fine gunboats as the Helena and Ban-
croft
WAR DEPARTMENT WARY.
But when these stories reached tng
War Department they were received in
different spirit. Nothing Is more helpless
in warfare than an unarmed troop
transport fun of soldiers. She would fall
an easy victim TO the smallest gunsoat.
and the soldiers, knowing their weak
ness in this respect. are loath TO UNDER
take the crossing OF the Florida straita
until these disagreesble visitors have
been removed from the pathway.
without respect 10 the character or
the strange craft that are said 10 be
will be removed from the scene OF action
| In shore order. as 1t Is understood that
sampson has been made acquainted with
the situation. and will be expected to re-
deem his promise 70 provide safe conducs
10 the army when called upon HE has
ample force to conduct the operations az
santiago to successful issue. and stiit
spare vessels OF any power bic Tor
use In the Florida straits.
J SAMPSON MAY NOT WAIT.
, 1t was pointed out to-day by a naval
officer that the Admiral, since the arrival
of the marine battalion on the Panther.
| has at his disposal what he may regard
| as a sunicient force OF men TO capturG
| sanuago, even before the troops arrive.
The 800 marines on tho Panther, added
| to the marines already with the fleet,
| would make Il total OF about l,O1O mem
| without lmpalrng the eilclency or ND
snips, Admiral sampson could spare iVJt
| Dlue-Jaekets for landing party. and
| with this total force of $500 men, II the
| insurgents VINO nave deem armed by tns
| United states Government do their
| share, It seems possible for sampson to
capture santiago at snort nouce.
There seemed to be a very decided air
| of expectation this evening among off,
| cias who are acquainted with the gov
| ernment's plans in the campaign tnat all
! most warranted conclusion that ~ eu-
I gasement OF some Kind was expected to-
| day.
SHIPS UNDER CONSTRUCTION.
! Steady progress is making 1pon tho
| ships under construction by the govern
| ment at the several navy-yards as re-
| vealed by the monthly reports from the
| various yards to Chief-Constructor Hich-
borne. on battleships, the Newport News
| people are ahead, having the Kearsargs
| and Kentucky 50 per cent. advanced to-
| ward completion, and the Illinois 81 per
| cent. Cramp & Sons have the Alabama
| 53 per cent. along, and the Union IRON
| Works have progressed 80 per cent. with
| the Wisconsin. a.
Ten torpedo boats are now actually un-
4 der construction. and have been completed
| to the following oxtsnt The Rowan, 20
| knotter, building at Moran Brothers.
| plant; Seattle, $50 per cent; the Dahl
| gren. S0-knotter. Building at the Bath IRON
| Works, Bath. Me-, % per cent; the 7. A.
| N. craven. SO-knotter, Bath iron orks.
| Bath. Me-, so per cent; the Farragut 90
| knotter. Union Iron-Works. San Francis
| co.. 50 per cent; the Davis and the Fox.
| 22.5-knotters Woln Il swicker, Portland.
| Ore, SS and 81 per cent. respectively; the
| Mackenzie, 2o-knotter Charles Hislmsn,
| Philadelphia, 80 per cent. the Stringharn,
| SO-knotter, Harlan & Holiingsworth, VIII
| mington, Del, rs per cent; the Colds
| borough. 3O-knotter, Woln & swicker. z
| per cent; the Bailey, 3O-knotter. Gas En-
| glne and Power Company, New Jersey.
3l-2 per cent.
! THE PLUNGER.
| The submarine-b Plunger, building &C
| the Columbian Works, Baltimore.
similar In many respects to the Holland,
is said TO be " per cent. advanced.
/ Southern student Conference, Ashes
4