The record-union., 1898-05-01
PHILIPPINES
CRITICAL
POINT.
All Interest is Now Gen.
tered There.
On Result Of Engagement With
DeWey's Fleet
May Depend the Outcome Of the
Present War With Spain.
Some Anxiety in Naval Circles as to the
Destination Of the Spanish Fleet
Just Sailed From Cape
Verde Islands.

est to-day was concentrated on the
Philippines, though it seemed almost
hopeless to expect any news directly
from that point, which is for the pres
ent, at least, the critical point of naval
operations. Indeed, one high official,
well versed in the plans of the Strategic
Board, declared that upon the result
of the engagement which Commodore
Dewey is expected to have had with
the Spanish fleet to-day, or within a
day or two, at least, might depend to
an extent the outcome of the war.
When Secretary Long left the Navy
Department he had received no word
from Commodore Dewey, nor from any
point in the East. He had been very
busy during the day, and the same
thing was true of Secretary Alger, both
being obliged to give up the greater
part of their time to Senators, Repre-
sentatives and other persons of sup
posed influence seeking to secure the
appointment of constituents to places
in the army and navy.
Secretary Long received a dispatch
from Admiral Sampson relative to the
Smelling of the Matanzas batteries, but
had no information whatever as to the
reported attacks upon Cardenas yes
terday The impression prevails at the
department among those who are not
taken into the secrets of the Naval
War Board that the moves of Ad-
miral Sampson are of a strategic char
.acter. and not accidental happenings,
as might be supposed from their ap-
Darently spontaneous character.
Key West is evidently to be made a
base Of the first order of Importance,
so far as the fleet is concerned, other
wise Secretary Long would never have
called upon an officer of such high rank
as Commodore Reemy to command the
station. The Commodore has been re-
lieved at the Portsmouth Navy Yard
by a retired officer of equal rank.
Two more retired officers of high
order of ability are to be called into
active service Monday, in the persons
of Naval Constructors R. w. Steele
and w L. Mintoyne.
The Board of Bureau Chiefs is. now
engaged in preparing the advertise
uent calling for the construction OF
torpedo boats and destroyers. BY spe-
cial provision of the naval bill, the adj
vArtisements will run only three weeks,
instead OF three months, as is usual
The department will describe only the
general characteristics of the TORPEDO
boats. leaving to the builders the sub
mission of plans for their construction.
Chief Constructor Hichborn said to-
day that when the department mas
placed the contracts for the vessels
authorized by the pending naval ap-
preparation bill the Government Will
have under construction at one time
a greater number of vessels than II
ever has had before since the war, ana
a greater tonnage in the aggregate than
at any time during the civil conflict
There will be not less than thirty-six
vessels altogether thus placed under
construction. three battleships, sixteen
torpedo boat deSlroyefS, WE'VE eoh
boa+s four coast defense monitors and
one gunboat on the lakes.
The honor OF being fleet engineer OF
+,,a numerous mosquito fleets, which ara
exnected to be one of the mainstays IN
+,,e daeanee of the Atlantic Coast cities,
hos fallen TO a retired officer Chief En-
eineer Henderson, who is now pros
nerous business man in New York, but
has consented to sacrifice his personal
interests to fight in the navy.
More electricians are wanted IN tue
navy. and the Secretary to-day directed
a special recruiting station be opened at
the Washington navy yard at o'clock
Monday to recruit electricians
The Chinese Minister, WI Ting Fang,
called at the State Department to-day
and had a talk with officials concern
ing the war situation. He did not bring
a notice Of Chfna's neutrality, nor has
he received word thus far from his Gov
eminent that China will declare her
neutrality. The authorities here would
not be disoleased if China withheld her
decree a month later. as such course
might be of distinct advantage to the
United States in case Commodore
Dewey's fleet fails to effect landing
on the Philippines, and is obliged to