Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-06-01
GENERAL WAR SITUATION.
Continued from page ~

feed 10000 reconcentrados for six
months.
real fear of action is removed from
Washington and is centered with the
troops now advancing under orders
from here and with our ships. The
time Of preparation has gone by and it
remains only for preparations to be
carried into actual effect.
A leading naval official pointed to his
desk, which was clear of papers and
documents, and remarked that all the
preparatory details We're now well
along, and that 50 far as the authori-
ties here We're concerned they have
only to wait for the execution of the
preparations hereafter matured.
There will continue to be much rou-
tine detail in the maintenance of the
large military and naval force, but this
is now in well established channels.
ne filOIt Vial Itdiuttfo VI tHc Nesii'
paisn itself have been fully matured.
To n certain extent the military and
Washington and yet with Gen. Miles
in the South and Admiral Sampson
and Commodore Schley in Cuban wa
tiers, they viii have most to do with the
time and the circumstances of the at
tack.
The commanders, military and naval,
have been given wide latitude, as the
authorities here fully appreciate that
battles cannot be fought in advance on
paper.
All that has been attempted is To
outline a campaign and make the full
est provision for adequate forces. am
Die supplies and the fullest co-opera-
ton between the navy and army in the
successful execution Of the plans
The real blows are for the command
crs to strike. and in the execution of
tlilS ltatlI VI iIit fl's1 'IAii'i'N' ~ 49,
thorities here can take little part
The consular reports issued, today,
contain additional declarations of neu-
| traity, this time from Brazil, Japan.
British Guiana, St. Lucia and Gibral-
| tar.
1t is noticeable that both Brazil and
Japan go out of the way of the usual
formal preamble to express regret at
the outbreak Of hostilties between the
| United States and Spain.
Bermuda modi1ics her original pro
clamation of April 30. so as to make
| the rule relative to supplying provi-
sions. subsistence and coal to the be-
| lieerent ships conform closely to the
very severe English rules on the sub
| ject.
The Japanese proclamation is rather
remarkable from the great eXactness with
which it prescrbcs the rules that are to
govern japanese subjects in their dealings
| with the belligerents and the treatment
that will he accorded belligerent ships
The proclamation evidently was prepared
| with great care and may serve as model
for the guidance of diplomats of all ma
| lions
The board of naval bureau chiefs Is
| trying to hasten the work of construction
of the battleships authorized by the pres
ent naval appropriation bill. The Illinois
type, upon which the new vessels are to
be constructed will occupy three years
in construction. After n conference, to-
day the bureau chiefs presumably with
| knowledge of the constructive ability of
the American shipyards capable of under
liking this work, resolved to reduce the
time of building of the news ships to a
maximum of % months.
The navy department bought another
yacht, tod"y, the Inquirer. nj New York
for use in the auxiliary fleet. by which
name the Mosquito fleet will be designated
in accordance with the terms of the re
Gently enacted act on the subicc'. Other
purchases are in prospect but the final
selection Of the dozen vessels to be pur-
chased from the eligible list of over lo(
supplied by the examining board. has not
been made.
| Ne l0fpcHp hOdl lkONitH, punt ~
Seattle by Moran Bros, has now been re
ported for trial and instructions Were
sent ly the department. today, to run the
y trip. Friday. on Puget sound.
The frequent reports from Spain
through other countries to the effect that
? Il formidable fleet is being prepared al
t Cadiz to sail for the West Indies in aid
of Cervcra causes little apprehension here
Naval officers through private means Of
communication, have pretty well salts
fed themselves that the CadiZ fleet is !;
paper fleet.
In other words, its offensive power i;
altogether ilusory. More than half The
vessels whose names appear so frequently
y in the press dispatches rs Formidable wal
Y craft are of antiquatcd type and in II sac
state of disorder.
OF course it is not to be understood tina
our naval officers are ncglccting to TAX
= precautions against surprise at Santiago
# They have thrown scouts well out to tn
a eastward of Cuba. 50 that they may re
coive quick notice if any Of the Cadi
fleet was foolish enough TO have starte'
a day or two ago for the West Indies, Il
= now rauortp1 in E'llr0DC