Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-05-25
WAR SENSATIONS.
Runners That Circulate In Spite Of
0ffcial Denials.
NO NAVAL ENGAGEMENT.
None, at Least, Reported 10 the Au-
thOritieS at Washington.
ALLEGED LOSS OF The MANCROYE.
This and Other American ReYerSes Pro.
nOunced Purely COnjsctural.
TRIB0TE TO The WAR BOARD.
Secretary Long Pays II, and Explains
The Boards Operations. .
Is CERYERA RETURNING HOMEWARD?
IS CERYERl RETURNING HOMEWARD?
Evident Spanish Purpose 10 Make Ii
appear, at LsaSt, That He Is.
THE PHILIPPINE EXPEDITION OFF.
Vital Eject Is VIII Have on Hawaii
Annexation Question-The CoaIing
Law-The Oregon Safe.

WASHINGTON. ID. c.. May 2L-Ther
was lapse into sensational war rumor
in washington to-day, after week o
comparative quietude. The rumors ranged
all the way from the capture of the littlC
Mangrove. with a crew of thirteen men
10 the reported destruction Of the en-
tire Spanish fleet by SIMPSONS anc
Sohley's combined forces. They were
circulated with persistence. notwithstand-
ing their denial as soon as they could be
brought to the attention of any officials
capable Of passing judgment on their ae-
curacy.
As the day rolled along the officials
themselves became apprehensive. as was
shown by the frequency with which they
called for the latest newspaper bulletins.
NO REPORT OF ENGAGEMENT.
At the close OF the day. however. it was
announced in the most positive manner
that the Navy Department had no infor-
nation TO warrant the report Of any sort
OF engagement in the Windward Passage.
This did not specifically cover the waters
Of the West Indies, Dut in view of the
fact that the department has promised
to let the public know of anything in
the nature of a general engagement, pos
sibly the bulletin announcement is suf-
hcient to cover the case.
When Secretary Long started for home,
after an exceptionally busy day. he stated
to a group of newspaper men that the
department had received no information
Of Importance. In response to an inquiry
as to where the Spanish fleet was located,
Mr.. Long replied that his belief was that
it was still at Santiago de Cuba.
ALLEGED AMERICAN LOSSES.
Concerning the reported capture of the |
Mangrove and the loss of other ships, |
the Secretary dismissed the stories as |
purely conjecturaI. and not supported by |
facts. Word had come from the COM
mander Of the Mangrove since the time
of the alleged capture, showing that the
ship could not have been in the hands
Of the spaniards
Mr.. Long paid handsome tribute to
the War Board, and stated that there was
10 purpose whatever of changing the pres
ent system. whereby this board co-ope-
rated with him in giving every possible
assistance and advice, mainly in the way
of information, to the admirals in COM
mand.
The office of the War Board the Secre-
tary pointed out, was not to fight battles
that was exclusively the province of the
squadron commanders The board acted
merely in an advisory way, and at no
time had assumed executive functions.
SPANISH ASSUME OFFENSIVE.
The Spaniards appear TO be making
eady for something more than de- |
ensive campaign at home, or at least
hey are trying TO create that impress
ion by other means than news bulletins
hat issue almost daily from Madrid. The :
iayy Department now has, through its r
wn reliable sources. reports of the great y
81 activity in the Spanish navy
ards. and OF the preparation for sea (.
I'D for long voyage Of two Of the tor 4,
.ed0-bOat- -destroyers. 1t is given out :,
hat they are 10 join Cervera immedi- 4,
tely, when his squadron enters Cadiz :,
arbor Possibly this statement is made
lth deliberate purpose of misleading
mercan sailors into the belief that Ger
era has taken his way homeward. &,
THE OREGON.
Inquiries ar TO the whereabouts Of the
regon brought reply this afternoon eli
the effect that the battleship was safe nc
othlng could be learned of her location. nc
is probable that the kilograms said fir
have emanated from the vessel were
ally fled at Key West, but were tn
ought 10 that port on some dispatch st;
at from the Oregon. which is co-ope-
ling with our fleets
PHILIPPINE EXPEDITION.
lhe Philippine expedition is now of Ill
dead earnest The sending OF these
ips will affect the Hawaiian question &C.
ally Like the Charleston. the trans [
rts must stop at Hawaii TO replenish qu
Fir coai-bunkers from the great heaps res
coal that Consul-Genersl Hayward has cal
.n piIng up for months past II the tar
waiins let us take this coal without ths
pretext that We are using IL TO make cai
way 10 our nearest home port. as re- Sal
red by international law In such cases,
y will stand convicted OF breach OF
iuality that in the eyes OF the law N
nations allies them with the United non
ties la hostility 20 Spain. Ger
HAWAII OUTLOOK. vos
he taking OF coal by the American
rs at Hawaii. 10 make an extensive b
npaign against the Spanish possess DO
Is, 1t is believed here, will result in nigi