Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1898-06-09

noticeable at the navy department that
the officials were expecting news OF
the first importance. but that they did
not look for it Immediately. The firm
ness with which they have insisted
that Schley could have had no general
engagement with the Spanish ships
and forts at Santiago was reported,
appeared to be based on full knowl-
edge of the plans under which the COM
modore is acting, and the greatest con-
cession that they would make toward
admitting that fight had taken place
there Tuesday was to say that Schley
had possibly detected some earth
works going up and had RACED them
with his shells. They were confident
he had made no attempt to enter the
harbor 1t is believed now, however,
with Sampson in the field and in COM
mand Of Santiago with an augmented
force. that interesting evetns may be
looked for. These are expected. too,
notwithstanding the fact no troops
have yet started from Tampa, as was
established by inquiries at the war de-
partment. The insurgents are
Known to Be in Force
in the neighborhood of Santiago, and
through Capt. Dorst, the war depart
ment not only has been in communica-
ton with them but has supplied them
fully with good weapons and an
abundance of ammunition. The head
quarters Of the best Of the Cuban
generals, Garcia, are distant from
Santiago only seventy-five miles, so
that it is possible Sampson feels strong
enough with their support to begin the
assault by sea upon the Spanish fleet
and forts without awaiting the arrival
of the United States troops from
Tampa. The trend of the news that
came to Washington from unofficial
sources during the afternoon all went
to support this belief, so there is some
ground for the expectation of the Of
ficials that important information may
be expected shortly.
The Spanish government has made a
protest to the British government
against the shipping of Canadian coal
from British North America to San
Francisco for the relief Of ships Of
Admiral Dewey's fleet at Manila, and
also against the shipping of coal from
Nova Scotia to Atlantic ports for use
by United States warships operating
in the West Indies. 1t is understood,
however. that
Spain's Protest
has not proved Of any avail. The
subject was referred to the Canadian
authorities. who, upon investigation,
learned that the coal shipments, both
from British Northwest Territory and
Nova Scotia, were in the ordinary
course Of commercial transactions.
They were made by private parties in
Canada to private parties in the Unit
ed States. Whether the coal subse-
quently passed into the hands Of the
United States government for use by
the American navy was held to be
outside Of the province of the Cana
dian authorities. 1t is probable that
any direct sales to the navy depart
ment would have been stopped. as
these would have been manifestly a
breach Of the neutral attitude main
tanned by the British government and
its colonial possessions, including Can
ada. II the queen regent Of Spain has
instructed Senior Castillo to ask the
powers to intervene for peace that
movement has not vet taken any form
in Washington either at the state de-
partment or at any Of the foreign en-
bassies. Among diplomatic officials
it is thought to be quite possible that
Spain is feeling her way toward Sc
curing peace. but it is not believed this
would meet with any active assistance
from the great powers.