The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-05-25
NO CHANGE OF SYSTEM
THE BOARD IS SATISFACTORY
TO ADMINISTRATION.
SPANS NAVY YARD VERY ACTIVE
The Philippine Expedition is off in Earnest,
The H.waiin Situation will b, Vital
Iy ected--RumOrs Of Battle
Of Fleets Unbound ID.
of Fleets Unbound d.

Washington, May 24.-There was u
Washington to-day after week of com
parative quietude. The rumors ranged
all the way from the capture of the lit
tie MangrOve, with a crew of Is men,
to the reported destruction of the entire
Spanish fleet by SIMPSONS and Schley's
combined forces. They were circulated
with persistence, Notwithstanding their
denial as soon as they could be brought
to the attention Of any official capable
of passing on their accuracy.
AS the day rolled along the officials
themselves became apprehensive, as
was shown by the frequency with which
they called for the latest newspaper
bulletins. At the close of the day, how
ever. it was announced in the most
positive manner that the navy depart
ment had no information to warrant
the report of any sort of engagement
i'm the Windward passage. This did
not specifically cover the waters Of the
West Indies, but in view of the fact
that the department has almost pledged
in the nature of general engagement,
possibly the bulletin announcement is
sufficient to cover the case.
When Secretary Long started for
home after an exceptionally busy day,
he stated 10 q group Of newspaper men
that the department had received no in
formation of Importance. In response
to an inquiry as to where the Spanish
tleet was located, Mr.. Long replied that
his belief is that it is still at Santiago
de Cuba. Concerning the reported cap
ture of the Mangrove, and the loss of
other ships, the secretary dismissed the
Stories as purely conjectural, and not
supported by facts. Word had come
from the commander of the Mangrove
since the time of the alleged capture,
showing that the ship could not have
been in the hands of the Spaniards. Mr..
Long paid handsome tribute to the war
board and stated that there was no pur-
pose whatever of changing the present
system, whereby this board co-operates
with him in giving every possible assist
ance and advice, mainly in the way Of
information, to the admirals in COM
mand The office of the war board, the
secretary pointed out, was not to fight
battles: that was exclusively the prov
ince of the squadron commanders. The
board acted merely in an advisory way,
and at no time had assumed executive
functions.
The Spaniards appear to be making
ready for something more than Il de-
fensive campaign at home, or at least
they are trying to create that impress
sion by other means than news bulletin"
that issue almost daily from Madrid.
The navy department now has, through
it's own reliable sources. reports of the
greatest activity in the Spanish navy
yards. and of the preparation for sea-
and for a long voyage If two of the
torpedo boat destroyers. 1t is given out
that they are to join Cevera immedi-
ately when his squadron enters Cadiz
harbor. Possibly this statement is
made with a deliberate purpose of mis-
leading American sailors into the belief
that Cervera has taken his way home
ward. Inquiries as to the ThereabOnts
of the Oregon brought reply this af
ternoon to the effect thar the battleship
was safe. Nothing could be learned
of her location. 1t is probable that the
telegrams said to have emanated from
the vessel really were filed a. Key West.
hut were brought 20 that port on some
despatch boat from the Oregon, which
is cooperating with our fleets.
The Philippines expedition is now off
in dead earnest The sending of these
ships will affect the Hawaiian question
vitaIy. Like the Charleston, the trans
ports must stop Mt Hawaii to repleniSh
their coal bunkers from the great heaps
of coal that Consul General Hayward
has been piling up for months past. If
the Hawaians let us take this coal
without the preteXt that we are using
il to make our way to our nearest home
port. as is required by international law
in such cases, they will stand convicted
of breach of neutrality that in the
ewes of the law Of nations allies them
with the United States in hostility to
Spain The taking of coal by the Ameri-
can ships at Hawaii to make an extern
siye campaign against the Spanish pos
sessions. it is believed here. will result
in compelling the United States either
70 assume protectorate over the is-
lands or to annex them.