Evening star., 1898-05-19

The United States government knows
iothing OF the whereabouts of the Spanish
feet. but is actively at work to find out
This is what Secretary Long told Presi-
dent Mckinley today. The Secretary and
Secretary Alger went to the White House
about 1 O'Clock. Secretary Long said that
he had received 70 kilograms of conse-
quence from any direction today. Il have
nothing TO indicate that the Spanish and
American fleets are near together" said
the Secretary.
II Is positively known that the plan for a
Encouragement Of the navy, a. outlined in
yesterday Star, is nearly a certainty.
There will be three fine squadrons. and ne
OF these will chase the Spanish fleet until
1t is found and fights or goes back to Spain.
That is ali officials will say, but they mean
business.
Secretary AIger declines 10 talk abo,t
the plans for spe edy invasion Of Cuba.
He would ike to have the troops ready in A
cay or two. but he will have things in
good shape IN short time.
Pressure for Appointment.
President Mckinley spent practically the
entire Gay listening to the representations
o. multitude OF CALLERS hunting places for
constituents in the army and navy. The
anu 4AiApOA LG4llly Is GROWING. The
more full the understanding that there are
a few places TO be filed the greater the
crowd Railways and waiting rooms were
crowded with visitors today. and at least
half OF those on hand went away without
accomplishin their missions
Nearly all of the best places in army and
navy have been filled. but the scramble
now Is for positions of lieutenants in the
regular army The increase in the regular
army opens up number Of these positions
and aspiring and patriotic young men from
all portions Of the country ere wiring and
writing their congressman for the neces-
sary influence TO get in. These matters are
taken 10 the President by senators and rep
resentatives- From the White House the
callers go to the War and Navy Depart
ment5.
Senators Allison, Gear, Platt of New
York, Wetmore, Lodge. Sewel, Fairbanks,
Gray, Penrose. representatives Lacey.
Brornwen, Berry, Steele, Alexan,ier, McMil-
lin and CatcEings were included in the list
Of the days official callers. General Long
street. Gen NJ Z. Butler and many other
prensiGcn; men saw ;lie President
General Longstreet met a number of ex-
confederate soldiers. who had served with
him in the civil war. Several of them ex-
pressed the hope that he would be sent to
the front, and that they would get 4 chance
10 go with him General Longstreet inti-
mated that he would like to De piaced in
service. and said he felt satisfied that Lis
old comrades would flock TO him if they had
opportunity.
Hawaiian Annexation.
President Mckinley has exerted no pres
sure to secure the passage of a resolution
for the annexation of Hawaii, but 10 all
who speak 10 him on the subject he ex-
presses the earnest hope that Congress will
not reject the opportunity now in its hands
Tie President is fully aware Of the great
vEiue Of the islands at this time An argu-
Eent made 20 him today by prominen.
mar was that the Sandwich Islands should
at once be annexed that they may be usei
a training ground for troops which Will
probably have 10 be sent to the Philippines
even after the number row selected
THE temporary occupation OF the Phil
irpines Is on: OF the question" said this
rsan- Whether We desire II or not. We will
be compelled 20 retain these islands for a
Isas time. X no- permanently. More troops