The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-04-04
MOVEMENTS OF THE
SPANISH FLOTILLA.
Reports a. To the stopping at Cape
Verde lsin nds Nat Thoroughly
Credited by Naval Men.

WASHINGTON. April 3.--The naval OH
GERS read with interest and discussed tho
Associated Press Madrid bulletin regarding
the movement of Spanish ships and tor
pedc iotila. II was said tina, the fiotila
perhaps had encountered bad weather II it
had attempted 10 sail direct for Porto Rico.
and might have been driven 10 the Verde
islands II was also said that experienced
nayigators were OF the opinion that the 10
tiia had taken that course. In order to
avoid adverse winds and 10 find n better
course By way OF the Verde islands This
would save coal. sail power could DO
used TO advantage.
Some naval Officers were Of the opinion
that they could not trust wholly 10 Madrid
Information concerning the movements OF
the Spanish warships at present. especially
If the Spanish admiralty thought advan-
tage would he gained by misleading the
American department
Consid~riax Bases of Supplies.
Both the war and navy departments have
been considering bases Of supplies In case
OF hos,ilities and available ports on the
Southern ard Gulf coasts have received
attention. The general opinion is that the
gulf offers more and better places than
the Atlantic coast. Pensacola Tampa.
Mobile and New Orleans are all believed
TO he available. No one place will be de-
pended upon. The water stages given are.
PENSACOLA. a.
- feet. and Mississippi. IS feet This L. the
low water entrance.
I; L. not Intended that the big war vessels
should he taken into these places To re-
eesve supplies They viii be coalea provf-
sIenca and receive Munitions from lighters
which can be gent over the bars In the
hareors. II Is regarded IA impractscabie
TO attempt to get the big chips up 20
waarves ana moreover shesr coming %
land would not tend 60 increase the ell
cheney and discipline O! the crew.
IL Is said that punta Corste. further
south thar Tampa. ss being considered by
the war department as a point for embark
ing ;roonS and supplies IN case troops were
seni 20 Cuba.
WORKING ON the Message
Assistant Secretary pay came - the state
Department early In the afternoon and ins-
nss 1iStsiv began dIcfatsag 30 his stcaog-
fabherS. He gave orders 20 admit no ore
ara woals not he interrupted for any ppr-
ross- otA%r officers Of the department re-
rasinta IN iae}r rooms during the dsy,
President Mckinley did not so 10 church
to-day. wa, was agsslN engaged Quite a
number - executive clerks were al work
daring the day.
There VAS comparative gules about the
White House ami the departments. Tire
members Of tire csAiDst "a not cab ugsan
I the president daring ;he sagiy uars % the
I eiex. ncr Gid they VISA TIE departments
The allie HOUSE WAS ia rs usual state of
/ sunday aG!-tasie Assistant Secretary Day
| being tee only soTcn<sor ,as,e~. ansi rsxnain-
ing VITA iGe president for asou, half an
/ hoor. judge bay dsa Bot 80 - the state
/ department. ard IL is presumed will 80
| ssssst OF his work ef preparation fer mat
/ tiers 10 Ia Incorporated IA The presidents
| message az Dts Ap5le.
| Few Remata~a an nusy
| Several - the higher eYscerx of the stat.
/ department ans clerks IN eaArre CT trans
/ t&fsnS s1ssssr a. aies seFo on auty Some
ca5ss messages acre received durkaE the
/ forensoa est & was @sa1esa fh&s noMe Of
1 sneT was 81 matters % much xrpevsaaee
! is sss STATED that the department. had M
assaesal information Rasat gAs can~4Is OF
IRE Tinted States going "a Havana sog
safety.
SECRETARY IsaGx asi pas WISH tAa navy Dr.
rSFs.ssns. bat hH mali was seat 20 his
residence Assistant Secretary Roosevelt