The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-04-29
INVASION Is IMMINENT.
War Department Charters
Eight Steamers.
WANT MORE MONEY FOR WAR
The $4,000, 600 Fund Already
Exhausted.
SHELLING By THE SHIPS.
Natanzas Incident the Main Topic
of the Day.
SHELLING BY THE SHIPS.

Washington, April 2S-The shelling of
the Matanzas batteries was the topic of
absorbing interest throughout naval and
official circles generally to-day.
1t was discussed on the basis of the
press reports from Key West as the navy
ever on the subject.
Secretary Long said at clock this af-
ternoon, as he closed up his office work for
the day. that no report had been received
from Admiral Sampson, nor was the navy
department advised in any way of the
shelling of Matanzas.
Mr.. Long added that he felt no dispo-
sition to keep from the public any news
concerning such an important event as a
naval engagement or a battle.
The secretary said that in the absence
of all Official information, he was inclined
TO believe that the shelling was confined
to the exchange of a few shots, and did
not assume the proportions of a regular
bombardment
When his attention was directed to re-
ports that the shelling was the result of
erect orders from the President, the sec
retary said this was not SO, as the Presi-
dent was giving no direct orders on any
Of these movements.
The navy department has ceased its pur-
chase of ships for conversion into war
vessels, owing to the exhaustion of the
%O,0OOOO0 war fund. 1t is confidently ex-
pected that Congress will come to the re-
lief, as the department is still in need of
auxiliary vessels
The Port Royal dry dock, according to
welcome official information, will be avail
able to our warships. even the biggest of
the fleet should they meet with, accident
during the campaign. The reports from
the constructor in charge shows that the
entrance to the dock is now dredged and
clear
The work of dredging the basin is still
In progress, and while this is not absolute
'ly necessary, it is extremely desirable in
order to insure the safety of the ships in
docking, and the department is endeavor-
ing to hasten the contractors in their work
they estimate that about fifteen days more
viii suffice to complete it.
The board of bureau chiefs met to-day
to begin the consideration of the plans for
the three new battleships authorized by
the naval appropriation bill and progress
ed so far that circulars will be sent out
tomorrow inviting bids from the ship
builders.
The vessels viii be. in the main, very
similar TO the battleshlp Illinois, now
building at Newport News. They will be
about 1850 tons displacement, IS feet
Beam, 2S1a feet depth, 16 knots speed, will
he covered with heavy armor and armed
with 1S and e-inch guns in addition to
numerous secondary batteries
1t can be stated authoritatively that
there is no present prospect of a change
IN the head of the navigation bureau.
rather striking sign of the imminence
o. the invasion of Cuba was contained in
the chartering to-day by the war depart
ment of eight large steamers of an aver
age capacity of about 1900 tons. and able
10 carry from 500 to 1,2OO passengers each.
These are to be used as transports for
the conveyance of the first military ex-
4rN'lNloH 10 CuDa.
Inc names of the boats are the Olivette
ana the Florida of the Plant Line, now in
'he Gulf; the Southern Pacific Company's
steamer Aransas; the New York and Texas
Coinpany's vessel Comal, now at New
lork' and the Malamo now en- route to
'ne Gulf; and three fine ships of the Bos-
lou Merchants and Miners Line in Balti-
more. the Allegheny, the Berkshire, and
'ne Decatur II. Miller. The price paid for
ulese vessels is from $4,000 to $4,000 for
,nlrly days for which they are engaged.
'Hey Will be taken charge of by the quar-
M Ml5rmaster's department at the earliest pos
sble moment
Heh' Shaftner, In command OF the United
.a'es troops now concentrated at New
,ieans, has been IN consultation with the
o.Iclals today as to the execution OF plans
the campaign. but the orders given to
',,i cannot De made public.
ne President and cabinet will consider
morrow the large number OF applica-
lf that have been made for appoint
ut 10 the posts OF major general and
'sadler general, and there Is some ex-
'nuon that he viii be able 10 nominate
of these officers tomorrow.
'n' tttzhugh Lee arrived here late To-
ait"r a ten days visit 10 hie family
tirsinia, The general shared the keen
@''iF interest Va the report of the sbelllng