The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-07-10

require considerable overhauling be-
fore she Is ready for trip across the
ocean. According to Capt Evans
story Of the battle, the Iowa was
struck twice by Spanish shells, and
one shell exploded, while the other is
embedded, unexploded, near the water
line Of the ship This last shot may
prove troublesome, as an uneXploded
shell near the water line is not a de-
sirable adjunct to a battleship. From
the light manner in which Capt
Evans speaks Of the damage, it is not
regarded as very serious by the off,
cials here, yet it Is probably enough
to keep the Iowa from accompanying
the Eastern squadron to the coast Of
Spain. A decision as to whether she
will be withdrawn will not be made
until the report is received on the con-
dition Of the ship. Either the Mas
sachusetts or the Indiana will be sub
stituted for the Iowa, If it be found
necessary to make g. change. Either
Of them Is as formidable as the Iowa.
Their four large guns are of the thir-
teen-inch type, while those Of the
Iowa are twelve-inch. In other re-
spects their batteries are Of the same
type as the Iowa. They are common
ly regarded as better sea ships than
the Iowa.
The department has not decided to
increase the number of Watson's ships.
as has been reported, as 1t Is believed
those named are ample to take care Of
Admiral Camara's fleet now return
ing hastily to protect the coast OF
Spain. Camara's only armored ships
are the Pelayo and Carlos v, the
former Of $3.50 tons and the latter
$3.50. They are outranked In every
point by the ships of the American
squadron, armor, armament, speed,
size, number Of guns and general eff
fectiveness.
TO FEED THE DESTITUTE.
The authorities are now concerning
themselves seriously with the great
problem of feeding the destitute pop
ulation Of Santiago, as soon as 1t cap
itulates, as we'll as the Spanish pris-
oners Of war, who may surrender. 1t
has been extremely difficult, as shown
by Gen. Skaters reports, to supply
the American troops with what they
need, and, of course, the difficulty will
be increased enormously by this large
addition Of hundreds of mouths. More
over, it is expected that, when the
news Of the fall Of Santiago Sits
through the country, a large part OF
the destitute population Of the inte-
rior will make it's way to that town to
secure food.
Yellow fever Is also to be taken into
consideration as factor that may
greatly complicate the situation.
PATRIOTIC OFFER.
Ex-senator Donald Cameron, who is
now in London, has cabled to Secretary
Long, offering the government the free
use for hospital purposes Of his mag
nifioent estate in st. Helen's island,
opposite Port Royal, sc. The secre-
tary has acknowledged "your very pa
triotic Offer" and has notified Mr.
Cameron that the propriety Of ac-
ceptance has been lefD with the sur
geon general Of the nayy. The prop
erty is admirably situated and is con-
venient to the Port Royal. naval sta
ton.
The reported appearance Of Span
tSh pr1Vateer or the northwest coast
has afforded an opportunity to the en-
gineer officers to justify themselves In
insisting upon the maintenance or
mines which guard all available har-
bors. While it is regarded that these
mines are serious impediment to
commerce and public convenience. 1t Is
felt to be necessary to maintain them
until there Is no longer any apprehen-
sion felt Of complications with Euro
pean powers that by any chance may
end in hostilities. Therefore, the mines
are likely to remain in place until the
end Of the war.
The navy department has learned
that the st. Louis, with her cargo of
Spanish naval prisoners, will not ar
rive at Portsmouth, N. H., until to-
morrow. The Harvard, with an INSTALL
ment of prisoners, sailed yesterday.