The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-05-21
Meeting Of the Two Squadrons is Looked For by
Naval Authorities sThe Statement is Made That
Single Monitor is Capable Of Holding the Entrance
To Santiago--Madrid Reports That Cervera, After
Coa|ng, Sailed Again. decisions in Prize Cases.
Russia Hostile to the Philippine Plan.

considerable portion Of Fridays meet
ing of the cabinet. Statements as to the
troops which General Merritts forces
will have to cope with were submitted.
They ranged from 5000 TO 20, 900 Spanish
soldiers, but the conclusion reached was
that the number could be successfully
counted on as about 10000 men. The
force already selected TO go with Gen.
eral Merritt was believed to be more
than adequate to cope with these troops,
who were thought to be In none the best
condition as to discipline or equipment.
If the number was found greater, the
administration would send as many men
as would be wanted to reinforce those
about to start. A significant feature of
the session was the absence of any dis
cussion OF the military and naval move
ments as to Cuba or the Spanish fleet
This was one result of a policy which
has been agreed on between the men,
bers of the presidents cabinet, and.
aside from Secretaries Alger and Long.
very little is known by the cabinet as TO
what is going on In the sea south of US.
anls in line with the administration
frm policy Of withholding any informa-
tion that might be taken advantage OF
by the enemy, in view OF the frequent
chance conversations OF individual MEM
bers in which such news might be unin-
tentionally made known.
The navy department Is congratulate
Ing itself upon the fact that recent ex-
perience has shown that it's stock of
ammunition is not materially depleted
by the series OF bombardments at San
M al
points. Owing to the great number of
shells thrown. IL was thought the sup
ply of powder. shot and shell might not
prove equal to pressing demands made
upon II. The capacity of the factories
furnishing powder and shells. however,
not only has kept abreast OF the recent
demand. but has far exceeded 1t, and
they can keep up with the demand
caused by fast and furious fighting for
many days. 1t 10 said that 5000 shells
were thrown at Cienfuegos, which would
appear to make big hole In the supply
of ammunition. This fortunately is OFF,
set by the fact that the department is
receiving more than 5000 shells per day.
Accidents which have occurred to pow
der factories at California and Delaware
have not touched those parts of the fac
tories engaged In supplying powder for
the navy The only possible fear of short
ammunition is in the small balls called
chicken feed" When the machine guns
grind out hundreds OF their small balls
against the fortifications, IL makes rapid
inroads upon the stocks Thus far,
however. there has been ample supply,
and only prolonged fighting could make
serious inroad on the stock.
Officials dismiss as pure Invention the
story coming from Montreal that ex-
Minister Polo has succeeded in securing
for Spain a coaling station on one OF the
French islands OF st. Pierre and Mique-
Ion, Oft the Newfoundland coast. At
the French embassy the report Is treated
with indignant contempt. as the French
decree of neutrality Is binding on the
French governor OF these islands and
prevents the granting of such
privileges as coaling stations.
Advices at the war department indi-
Gated that by night the City OF Picking,
which is to carry troops and supplies 10
Manila. will have started from San
Francisco. over 1000 men will be aboard
her. Following the Peking will be the
City OF Sydney and Australia. Secretary
Meilkeljohn has chartered the Sealan-
dia OF the Ocean Steamship company.
which can carry 500 men. She is now
sailed under a foreign flag. and Mr.. |
Meiklejohn has communicated with con- |
gress with view TO legislation that will |
give her an American register.
Arrangements for recruiting the i'm
mune regiment and for the brigade OF /
engineers viii oe made in few days.
The president has taken the initial step
In the case OF one regiment OF the en-
gineers In nominating Eugene Griffin to