The herald., 1898-06-10
FORCE UNDER SKATER
CANNOT BE FOUND BY DILIGENT
REPORTERS
MARINES NOW AT SANTIAGO
Have Increased SIMPSONS Strength
Sufficiently to Raise Hopes of an
Immediate Landing
Associated Press Special Wire

WASHINGTON, June 9.-It became ap
parent this afternoon that the war depart
ment, through the energetic efforts of the
censor had succeeded entirely in its pur-
pose to keep the movements of the United
States troops secret, for beyond question.
at the close of the day, it was impossible to
learn where the United States troops which
had been for weeks gathered under COM
mand of General Shafter in Florida now are.
Stories of the appearance of mysterious
warship in Cuban waters fioated through
the navy department during the day. The
officers quickly condemned them, declaring
that If the boats were Spanish they were
nothing more than some unarmed launches
and not to be feared by any number of
transports conveyed by such fine gunboats
as the Helena and Bancroft. But when
these stories reached the war department
they were received with a different spirit.
Nothing is more helpless in warfare than
an unarmed transport full of soldiers. She
would fall an easy victim to the smallest
gunboat, and the soldiers, knowing their
weakness in this respect, are loath to under
take to cross the Florida straits until the
disagreeable visitors have been removed
from the pathway. Without respect to the
character of the strange craft that are said
to be lodging the blockaders at Havana,
they will be removed from the scene of ac-
ton on short notice, as it is understood that
Sampson has been acquainted with the sit
uation and will be expected to redeem his
promise to provide safe conduct to the army
when called upon. He has ample force to
conduct the operations a Santiago to sue
cessful issue and still spare vessels of any
power desirable for use in the Florida
straits.
1t was pointed out today by naval officer
that the admiral since the arrival of the
marine battalion on the Panther, has al his
disposal what he may regard as sufficient
number OF men to capture Santiago, even
before the troops arrive. The 500 marines
on the Panther, added to the marines al
ready at the fleet, would make total of
about 1900 men. Without impairing the eff
ficiency of his ships, Admiral Sampson
could spare 1000 bluejackets for landing
party, and with this total force of 25O0 If
the insurgents, who have been armed by the
United States government, do their share,
1t seems possible for Sampson to capture
Santiago at short notice.
There seems to be q very decided air of
expectation this afternoon among the Off
Gals who are acquainted with the govern
ment's plans in the campaign that almost
warranted conclusion that an engagement
of some kind was expected today.
Steady progress is making upon the ships
under construction by the government at
the several navy yards, as revealed by the
monthly report from the various reports to
Chief Constructor Hichborn. In the battle
ships the Newport News people are ahead,
having the Kearsarge and Kentucky SO per
cent advanced toward completion and the
Illinois so per cent. Cramps report the Ala
bama SO per cent along and the Union Iron
works have progressed 3S per cent with the
Wisconsin.
Ten torpedo boats are now actually under
construction and have been completed to
the following extent:
The Rowan. 26 knots, building at Moran
Bros, Seattle, 9S.5 per cent; the Dahlgren,
&c knotter, building at the Bath Iron works,
Bath, Me-, 73 per cent; the Tam Craven 80
knotter, Bath Iron works, Bath, Me-, so per
cent; the Farragut, 80 knotter, Union Iron
works, San Francisco, so per cent; the
Lewis and Fox, 225 knotters, Wolf &
wicker Portland, Or, IS and 50 per cent
respectively; the Mackenzie, 20 knotter,
Charles Hillman, Philadelphia, so per cent;
the Stringham, 80 knotter, Harland & Hol-
lingsworth, Wilmington, Del, 2S per cent;
the Goldsboro, so knotter, Wolf & Zwicker,
per cent; the Bailey, 80 knotter.. Gas En-
CINE and Power company, New Jersey, 2la
per cent.
The submarine boat Plunger, building at
the Columbian Iron works, Baltimore, SIM
liar in many respects to the Holland, is said
to be 70 per cent advanced.