The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-05-31

said at the close Of office hours today
that no word had come from any OF
the scouting vessels, 50 numerous IN
West Indian waters, concerning the
Spanish flying squadron, wherefore he
concluded that Cervera was still in
Santiago harbor Supposedly. Sohley
is lying outside watching the entrance
to prevent the egress Of the Spanish
vessels, but while there is evidence OF
a certain kind on that fact. there has
been no official confirmation Of il. This
IS a little remarkable in view Of the
fact that it is only a days run for
one of Schley's swift torpedo boats
from Santiago 70 a cable port in Hayu.
There is also a curious lack OF informa-
ton from the newspaper dispatch boats
on this point. 1t Vas supposed that the
censors might have cui from the dis
patches OF the newspaper men any
reference TO the fleets, but this would
apply, according to the statement Of
the navy department officials here, on
ly to that part of the dispatches tina
might relate TO the movements and
| =" doSuNS u AlS SIINCu SNdltS
| forces, and the censor's rules would
not exclude reference TO the Spanish
| squadron.
Notwithstanding the officials profess
| mistaken confidence in their Original
| belief that the Spanish squadron is seri
| ously bottled up in Santiago harbor,
I there is no concealment by them of an
| intense desire to secure some absolute
ly trustworthy Information on that
| point.
1t is not to be doubted that, with
the question still open, h beginning
of the military operations is regarded,
for as long as there exists a possibility
Of the Spanish naval force being at
| large, there is an indisposition to start
the troop transports for Cuba
UNCERTAINTY AS TO STATE OF
AFFAIRS.
Probably it was this uncertain state
Of affairs that induced the president
to call a consultation al the White
house today, between Secretaries Alger
and Long, General Miles and the mem
bers of the naval war board. AS stat
ed by one of the members Of the con-
ference, the purpose was to go over
the whole situation from the Philip
pines, Cuba and Porto Rico, and de-
eide just how far the plans already
laid should be modified to meet exist
ing conditions. This involved a dis
cusSiOn of such important points as the
propriety of the immediate advance of
the military force upon Cuba, the cred
Utility of the advices so far had touch
ing the location of the Spanish squad
on, the policy of proceeding with the
Cuban expedition, or accompanying 1t
with one directed against Porto Rico
and, finally, the extent of the military
assistance to be sen to Admira Dew
g-.1 n 49, 49, Il
proceedings We're rather in the nature
of a consultation han of a war oun
Gil, where a full decision is demanded
at once, so that il is not probable all
Of these important questions were dis
posed of at the council. None OF the
members of the conference felt author
lied to tell what had taken place, but
there are thought to be patent indica-
tions of a decision 70 embark military
expeditions, whether for Cuba or Porto
Rico a only be c~onjectured in the
course of the next few days.
REPORT AS TO THE BALTIMORE
DISCREDITED.
There was a lack Of news today from
Admiral Dewey and this convinced
the naval authorities hat there could
be little credence placed in the Mad
rid repOrt of an accident to the Balti-
more.
III lax . vi l pINpdi dNlofIsi
the war department officials have not
been able to give much attention &c
preparations Of the regulations for the
procurement Of the $4,000 additional
volunteers called for yesterday by the
president. 1t is still uncertain just
how far the national authorities will
go toward recruiting these forces
themselves, nor is it positively known
that Independent organizations, COM
panies, battaliOnS and regiments,
raised by individuals, will be accepted
Ell bloc if by so doing the department
is required to accept the officers with
the men. Indeed, it is now questioned
whether. under the law, the depart
ment could. if it would, accept ser
vices Of officers under such conditions,
as the governors of the states appear
to be the only persons authorized to
issue commissions below the regimen
tai grade. There are many other vexa-
tious questions to be settled before the
regulations a be promulgated, but,
fortunately. in the judgment of the
department officials, due notice hav-
ing been given to the people Of a de-
sire for more troops by the govern
ment, there is no occasion for haste In
deciding upon details. in view Of the
fact that the full draft of men called
for uncer h first proclamation has
not been secured
The department officials were en-
gagged today largely with the execu-
ton Of a new law providing for the
organization of certain Independent
forces, with the result that il was
able to announce regulations govern
ing the examination Of applicants for
| commissions in the engineer regiments
and organization for the immune regi-
ments.
WANTS TO SEE THE WAR IN
CUBA.
An evidence of the growing interests
| of European countries in the war was
the appearance at the state depart
| ment today of Captain A. Wester, a
newly appointed military attachee to
the legation of Sweden and Norway.
| He came to the department with Min
lister Grip for the purpose of securing
! permission to accompany the United
| States military forces TO Cuba.