The herald., 1898-05-25
Gable Cutting

conditions in Spain or in Cuba. while the
value Of that port as place Of refuge for
the Spanish flying squadron is materially
diminished. 1t is safe to say that the re-
manning cable at Santiago will be cut soon,
Mks the others. 20 that II Cervera is mis-.
guided enough to have entered Santiago
harbor. he will be completely out Of touch
With his home government on the one hand
and equally unable to communicate with
Blanco ct the other end OF the island.
OF for the Orient
The Philippine expedition is now of in
Head earnest. The sending Of these ships
viii afrect the Hawaiian question vitality.
Like the Charleston. the transports must
stop at Hawaii to replenish their coal
bunkers that Consul General Howard has
been piling up for months. If the Hawaii
ans permit us to take this coal without the
pretext that we are using It to make our
way to our nearest home port, as is re-
auired by international law in such cases.
! they will stand convicted Of gross breach
Of neutrality, that. in the eyes Of nations
allies them with the United States in hos
tility to Spain. The taking of coal by
American ships at Hawaii to make an ex-
tensive campaign against the Spanish
possessions, It is believed here. win result
in compelling the United States either to
assume protectorate over the islands or
70 annex them.
The Crop Of Rumors
There was lapse into sensational war
sumors in Washington today, after . week
Of comparative quietude. The rumors
ranged all the way from the capture Of the
little Mangrove. with a crew of thirteen
man. to the reported destruction of the
entire Spanish feet by SIMPSONS and
.echley's combined forces. They were cir
culated with persistence, notwithstanding
their denial as soon as they could be
brought to the attention Of any oficial
4 capable Of passing Judgment on their &C.
curacy. AS the day rolled along the off,
Gals themselves became apprehensive, as
was shown by the frequency with which
they called for the latest newspaper bull
lstins. At the close of the day. however,
It was again announced in the most posi-
tive manner that the navy department had
no Information to warrant the report Of
any engagement in the windward passage.
This did not specifically cover the waters
Of the West Indies. but. in view of the fact
that the department has almost pledged it.
salf to let the public know Of anything in
the nature of . general engagement, pos
sibly the bulletin announcement is sufi-
olsnt to cover the case. When Secretary
Long started for home, after an excep-
tionaily busy day. he stated to group Of
nswspaper men that the department had
Bsceivsd no information of Importance.
IN response to an inquiry as to where the
Spanish feet was located, Mr.. Long re-.
Piled that his belief was that It was still
Ct santiago dc Cuba. Concerning the re-
ported capture Of the Mangrove and the
Ioss Of other ships. the secretary dismissed
thsss stories a. purely con5ectural snd not
supported by facts. Word had come from
the commander Of the Mangrovs since the
time Of the alleged capture. showing that
ne sfip could mot have been In the hands
q ne spanish.
~. Long paid handsome tribute to this
var board. and stated that there was NO
purpose whatever Of changing the present
system whereby this board co-operatea
Vlth him In giving every possible assist
ance and advice. mainly in the way Of in
f1osmation to the admirals In command
H ONCE Of the war board. the secretary
Delnted out, was not to fight battles: thai
4 ~ sxolusvely the province Of the squad.
- epupmp6sFG ~ bessd aeted merely