The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1898-05-31

WASHINGTON, May 81, loSo.-lHe TrtS-
ident received no information of any i'm
portant development in the war situation
up 10 the converting of the Cabinet at
eleven o'clock. Representative Newlands
of Nevada. the silver Republican who in
troduced the Hawaiian annexation reso-
luton, spent some time discussing the
matter with Mr.. Mckinley, bu1 did not
express entire confidence of securing a
rule for consideration Of Hawaiian affairs
Representative Cannon of Illinois, chair
man of the House Appropriations Com
mittee. was at the White House for a
little while. though not waiting to see
the President. He has been in conference
with the War Department officials over
the moneys needed 70 be carried in the
general deficiency bill He said the addf-
tional War Department estimates grow
ing out of the second call for volunteers
would be not less than 10000. 900 nor more
than $1,000 oeG. the exact amount being
not yet definitely determined.
This brings TO above 500 100000 the ag-
gregate TO be carried by the general de-
ficiency which viii be reported to the
House when the war revenue bill has.
passed the Senate Senators Lodge,
Foraker, Lindsay and Hanna were closet.
ed with the President separately
The President during the forenoon took
occasion in interviews with callers to
reiterate his conviction that the annexa-
ton of Hawaii should be speedily accom-
plished.
The frequent reports from Spain
through other countries to the effect that
a formidable fleet is being prepared at
Cadiz to sail for the West Indies in aid of
Cervera. causes little apprehension here.
Naval officers. through private means of
communication, have pretty well satisfied
themselves that the Cadiz fleet is a paper
fleet. In other words, its offensive power
is altogether illusory
Morethan half of the vessels whose
names appear so frequently in the press
desptches as formidable war craft are
of antiquated type and in a sad state of
disorder. The old Numancia is an exam
pie She is rated as a battleship of the
frs tclass- In her day she was battle
ship, but she has not turret nor a spon-
son and would be little more than sport
for a modern ironclad.
In addition to being antigua ted most of
these vessels are broken down in e.-rines
and boilers. In their reckless disregard
of the simplest precautions for the pre-
servation of the complex machinery of
warship the Spaniards are excelled by no
have been obliged TO hire British engi-
neers to run their engines whenever they
did run. There are som vessls. although
vry few at CadiZ of modern type, but
tley are not numerous nor powerful
en- eugh to give our navy serious concern.
CT course 1t is not to be understood from
this that our naval officers are neglecting
to take precautions against surprise at
Santiago. They have thrown scouts we'll
out to the eastward of Cuba so that they
may receive quick notice if any of the
Cadiz fleet was foolish enough to have
started day or two ago for the West
Indies, as Is now reported from Europe.
The report that the Pope has addressed
himself to President Mckinley directly in
an effort to bring about pea bebtween
the United States and Spain proves upon
investigation to be groundless. It is not
believed that the Pontif would be led into
the rather unusual course of addressing
himself directly to our Chief Executive.
The command to advance, given yester-
day, has infused intense activity into
every branch of military and naval cir
cles 1t was shown today in the hurried
but systematic preparations at the var
ious bureaus at the War and Navy De-
partments and in the keen air of expect
ancy everywhere prevailing.
TIE authoritative statements made yes
terday by General Miles and others that
the orders for an advance had been is
sued left no further doubt on that point
Prior to the Cabinet meeting reports
were current that the President had told
modore Schley would attack Admiral Ger
vera today in Santiago Harbor. Inquiry
failed to substantiate this report. On the
contrary, those in a position to konw the
general plans Of attack stated that the
navy and army would act together, and
that one branch of the service was not
likely to strike decisive blow until the
other was ready to cooperate and thus
make the blow doubly effective.
While there continues to be entire Off
cial reticence as to the exact points of
INVASION the concensus of opinion, drawn
from the most intelligent sources is that
the eastern end of Cuba, constituting the
province of Santiago, with Santiago de
Cuba as its capital, and Porto Rico VIII
be among the objective points.
General Lee last night left Tampa for
Jacksonville the eastern side of the
peninsula to open headquarters there.
But one inference can be drawn from this
movement, namely, that Jacksonville is to
be made a base of operations against
Porto Rico The town is admirably situ-
ated for this purpose, in fact 1t far sur
passes Key West as base for operations
even against any Of the eastern points
of Cuba
Tie terminus of an excellent railroad
system leading from the North and West,
with good steamboat connection With New
York with navigable river affording
good harbor and distant only 1,2o0 miles
from San Juan. in an air Hne, Jackson
Vile leaves dittlesto be desired as base
of military operations. There seems to
be little doubt that the plan Of campaign
contemplated the reduction of Porto Rico
and the President is being strongly urged
to begin this movement even before any
serious attempt Is made upon Havana
His advisers point to what they regard
ais the danger of retreat on the part Of
the Spanish Government. It might pc
possible, according to their view, for the
Spanish to assert that they aeccept IN full