Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1898-05-21
THE OREGON rs SAFE.
The Great Battleship Out Of Danger
Her Whereabouts q Secret.
Tho Cruiser Charleston Starts ON Her Jour
ney TO supply Adm. Dewey Mt Manila
No Further Call for Volunteers
Likely for the Present

WASHINGTON, May 10. - Secretary
Long gave out the welcome informa-
ton yesterday that the battleship Ore
gon, the second largest craft In the
American navy, had successfully COM
pleted her long trip from San Fran
cisco. making the entire circuit OF
South America, and was now safe.
Whether or not she has Joined Adm.
SIMPSONS feet the secretary would
not say. The rigid secrecy OF the navy
department was relaxed only enough
TO make known the best news the navy
department had received since the bat
tie of Manila, rs II meant not only
that the Oregon was out OF harms
way from concerted attack on this
one ship by the whole Spanish squad
ron now in southern waters, but also
that her great fighting strength would
add to Adm. SIMPSONS force in the
near future, II, indeed, 1t had not
already augmented the admiraPs
strength.
Aside from this bit OF information,
Secretary Long said, Mt the close OF
Office hours, that there was no further
news to be given out. During the day
the bureau of navigation issued bull
letin summarizing Commander Mccall
las official report on the recent en-
gagement ut Cienfuegos and adding
some minor features on the prospective
exchange OF prisoners, etc. These
bulletins are not proving Of important
news value, although they are prac'
tically all that comes from the navy
department with its official approval.
Yesterday Secretary Long Joined the
war board, which had been in session
some hours, to participate in the dis
cussion of their plans, which are be-
lieved to have been materially modi'
fed by the news received from the
Oregon.
Tie cruiser Charleston, which start
ed yesterday on her long journey &c
meet Adm Dewey ut Manila, should
arrive there in about "a days, allow
ing couple OF days Mt Honolulu fol
coal. Nothing better illustrates the
value of the swift, long-range cruisers
of the type that make up the Spanish
flying sqadron than the fact that they
would be able to make such run as
directly from San Francisco to Manila,
without stopping anywhere for coal,
ut rate of speed about 25 per cent
greater than the Charleston. Adm.
Dewey's cablegrams show that he Is
able 10 maintain the ground he has
gained until reinforcemcnts arrive In
the usual course, SO that the Charles
ton will get there in time to serve his
purposes. The stock OF ammunition
which the Charleston carries Is be-
lieved to be the great essential just
now, the fierce engagement ut Cavite
having consumed large part OF the
American admirars shot and shell.
Some little disappointment is felt Of
the navy department ut tho singular
incident that happened to the revenue
cutter Gresham, when one section OF
the ship was thrown into the St. Law
renee. 1t Is said that the treasury de
partment is responsible for the deliv'
cry of the ship to the navy In blue
water. The treasury, 1t appears, how
ever, made contract with q private
concern for the conveyance Of the ship
through the system Of Canadian locks
and canals, and t..is individual Is be
licved to be thoroughly responsible
The immediate effect, however, will
be the loss TO tho navy Of very cfii
cient little gunboat
There is good deal Of talk at the
war department of the possibility Of
an issue by the president OF another
call for volunteers. but careful inquiry
tends to warrant the statement thai
this is at least premature, and that nc
further call is likely to issue until the
aggregate number of soldiers already
called for have responded and have
been duly equipped for service. Thi'
last matter, the equipment Of the new
troops, is the main source OF delay
and promises to become even worse II
/ a. L.