The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1898-05-23
'AN OFFICIAL BULLETIN
sKoTHx1s THE nuxo1s on THE
oaxAT BATTL8
NO. NEWS HAS BEEN RECEIVED
None II Expected for an Indefinite
Time to Constituting Prep
arations for War

Associated Press Special Wire
WARRINGTON, May 22.-The rumors Of
a great naval battle current last night were
disposed of by the navy department early
today in the following official bulletin;
mo truth in the published statement
concerning an engagement of st. Nicholas
mole, Hayti, In which twelve ships were
sunk"
This was posted not only for general In
formation, but also to quiet the alarm
among relatives and friends Of those on
board American ships. AS a rule, the de-
partment adopts the cautious phraseology
Of stating that no official Information has
been received, but to make assurance
doubly sure in this case, the department
declared there was mo truth In the re-
ports. This indicates that the official In
formation II such as to warrant the state
ment that the American and Spanish
squadrons have not met.
The bureau Of navigation, navy depart
ment, where official dispatches are re-
ceived, was open throughout the day, but
the officials were engaged in routine work.
and there was no evidence Of that activity
which would attend the receipt Of impor-
tant information nor Of that keen expec-
fancy which would indicate the near APP
proach of the two fleets. In the absence of
exact information as to the location of the
fleets this serenity In naval circles was a
fair indication that the official advices did
not give promise of an immediate engage
ment. It is evidently the view Of the war
bureau that an engagement, II 1t can be
brought on, will be decisive of tho whole
war, and there il no purpose to allow such
momentous results to 60 of, on fiuke or
any too precipitous move In Difference to
the public pressure for results, but to
move firmly, yet cautiously, and insure a
victory when there is a fight.
Army headquarters was as busy as on
week days, as the moving Of the large bod
les Of men gives scant time for Sunday rest.
An extended dispatch was received from
San Francisco giving the final details Of
the embarkation Of troops for the Philip
pine islands next Tuesday. It stated that
the City Of Picking, the Sydney and the
Australia would sail on Monday with the
First regiment Of California volunteers.
The First Oregon volunteers, one officer
and fifty men from the heavy artillery of
the California volunteers, making In all
125 Officers and A00 men, under Brigadier
General Thomas Anderson.
Although General Anderon takes charge
Of this command, 1t is understood that
General Otis, who is in San Francisco, will
accompany the expedition. The Picking
was originally secured by the navy de-
partment, but as she is SO large and SER
'viceable as troop ship, the army is using
her in conjunction with the navy. Besides
the troops she will carry supplies and am
munition for the navy.
General Miles spent the morning in his
office. but In answer to inquiries said there
was nothing to announce as to his own
plans or the concentration of troops In the
south.
Secretary Alger called at the White
House at 1880 o'clock and was with the
president for fifteen minutes. Later the
president, accompanied by Miron T. Her
rick of Cleveland, with Mrs. Herrick, went
to church. Up to this time the White
House had received no information of i'm
portance.
Secretary Day and Assistant Secretary
Cridler were at the state department part
of the day, but 1t was said by those In au.
thority that no word Of Importance had
been received from our consular officers
in the West Indies. They would be about
the first to report an engagement In that
locality.
The report. from Madrid that the officials
there threatened to cut the cable from
Galveston II our ships isolated Blance by
cutting the cables at Santiago, are re-
ceived with much amusement by officials
who are familiar with cable routes. The
cable from Galveston runs to Vera Cruz
and to other Mexican ports. 1t Is so far
west that the Spanish admiral could net
reach It without phenomenal run, and il
he succeeded In cutting 1t there would be
no strategic advantage against The United
States, as the line Is rarely used for gov
eminent business.