The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-05-27

WASHINGTON, May .h.-Seefetary
Long said II the close Of Office hours
today. thar no word had come from any
of the scouting vessels. SO numerous in
West Indian waters. concerning the Span
!sh flying squadron. wherefore he conclud.
cd that Cervera was stll IN Santiago har-
Dor. Supposedly. schiey IS lying outside
watching the entrance 10 prevent tho
egress OF the Spanish vessels. but, wh..s
there is evidence OF certain kind on that
fact, there has been no otiicffiial confirm
alton OF IL. This il little remarkable.
in view Of the fact that II is only .
days run for one Of Sehleys swift tor.
pedo boats. from Santiago to cable port
in Hayti.
There - also & curious lack OF nforma-
tion from newspaper boats on this point.
II was supposed that the censors might
have exc!sed from the dispatches OK he
newspaper men any reference TO the neeta
but this would apply. according 20 the
statement OF the nayai department officials
here. only to that part of the dispatches
that might relate TO the movements and
whereabouts OF the United States forces.
and the censor's rules would not exclude
reference TO the Spanish squadron.
Notwithstanding the officials profess un-
shaken confidence In their original belief
that the Spanish squadron is securely
bottled up In Santiago harbor, there IS no
coneealment by them of an intense desire
TO secure some absolutely trustworthy In
formation on that point. 1t Is not 10 be
doubted that with the question still open.
the beginning OF the military operations
are retarded or as long there exists
possibility OF tho Spanish naval force being
az large. there is an indlspostion to start
the troop transports for Cuba.
Probably IL was this uncertain state Of
affairs that induced the president TO call
consultation at the White House today
between Secretaries Long and Aiger, Gen.
Miles and the members OF the naval war
board Admiral Scard. Capt. Crownin-
shield. and Capt. Mahan. As stated by
one of the members of the conference. the
purpose was To go over the whole sisua-
.!4r from the Philippines to Cuba and
Porto Rico, ard decide just how far the
plans already laid down should be modified
to meet existing conditions. This involved
a discussion of such important points az
the proprety Of the immediate advance OF
the military forces upon Cuba. the crcdi-
bIity OF the advces SO far had touching
the location OF the Spanish squadron. the
policy Of preceding the Cuban expedition.
or accompanying II, with ene directed
against Porto Rico. and finally. the ex-
tent OF the military assistance 20 be sent
TO Admiral Dewey. at Manila.
A. already indicated. the proceedings
were rather In the nature of consultation
than Of "A war council wherein full de-
cision is demanded at once, 30 1t Ia not
probable all of these important questions
were disposed Of at the council. None Of
the members Of the conference felt author
ized to say what had taken place, but
there are thought TO be patent indications
OF a decision 20 embark military expedi-
tions IN the course of the next few days.
whether for cuba or Porto Rico. can only
be- conjectUred.
There was lack OF news today from
Admiral Dewey. and this convinced the
naval authorities that there could be lttls
credence placed in the Madrid report of
an accident TO the Saltimore.
In tho rush OF military preparations. the
war department. officials have not hsen
abe 10 give much attention Ia The reguls-
tion@ for tho procurement IF the 5000
additional volunteers. called for yesterday
by tho president !; - stIil uncertain Just
how far the national authorities will 20
towards recruiting these forces Themselves
nor In II positively known that independents
ORGANIZATIONS. companies. batealions ana
regiments. raised by individuals win ho
accepted en- bloc. II by 90 doing the de-
r,artrneBt !s required 10 accept the officers
with the men. Indeed 1t is now questioned
whether under the Law. the department.
could II K would. accept the services of
officers under such conditions, as the gov.
ernors o. the states appear 10 be the cniy
persons authorized 10 commission neI-r
ths ree.rentai grade. There are n,ss.r
other various questions 70 be settled before
me regulations can be prom si.xs ed. hut.
fortunately IN the i3dgmenA q she de-
partmens officials, due notice having hssn
gives 20 the people Of a de~lse for rno.s
troops by the government, there is no oc-
GaS.on for haste In deciding upon detaslA