The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-07-07

of the torpedo boat destrOyers, the
Spanish squadron bound for the Philip
pines seems destined to go to as sure
destruction as did Cervera's unlucby
ships when they headed westward from
the Cape Verde Islands. The Spanards
without doubt are fully aware of the
inferiority of their fleet and why they
persist i'll sending it to be sunk in the
Philippines is mystery. The Navy
I Department was advised today that the
| squadron was passing through $ the
| Suez canal and as the vessels mast have
paid the heavy toll required i'll advance
the indications are now regarded as con
elusive that the ships are actually bound
for the Philippines. This belief stimulates
| tic preparations here for NatS'ins sail
ing. He will strike straight after Ca
mara, who i'll the end is doomed to be
caught between Watson and Dewey.
The report that the fine Yankee, lying
at Tompkinsvile, just from Cuba. has
yellow fever aboard caused n good heal
Of worry ut the department until Cap
tam Brownson telegraphed during the
day that there was absolutely 40 fever
on the ship and that she was not il:
quarantine.
Secretary Long regarded the report
that the Alphonso MI had been destroy
ed, while trying to run the Havana
blockade as the best news OF the day.
1t had not come 20 lsim in any ..ircc,
official way, but through n repor: from
General Greeley, chief signal officer.
who had received cipher dispatch stat
ing briefly that the Spanish ship had
been overhauled near Mniel. while try
inc to get through the blockade and>vas
~ Il,
her. Both the. Secretary aad General
G,eelcy regarded The report ls autl;cn
tic. l.ut there was a desire to got more
details. as this has been som ding of
Il spectral ship. The Alphonso MI is an
iron gunboat with Cne sCrcN. one fun.
mel anG one military mast. hara rigge,.,
so feet long, 43 fee. beam and ,3 Feet
drarght. She HIS DISPLACEMENT of
3G:a tons. She hal speed # II ,;nots
{ r si,"rt distances, and an ave-a.,e speed
of Ii knots. She carried Is large gus
five machine guns and five torpedo
tubes. Her officers and crew numbered
$40.
Secretary Long is quite hopeful that
several Of the Spanish ships of The Ger
vera squadron can be saved, in part Mt
least, and possibly as a whole. Assistant
Secretary Allen shares in this belief and
thinks that the Cristobal Colon can he
gotten off the rocks. She was the best
almored cruiser in the Spanish navy.
anG if she can be foated ana repaired
viii make n valuable acquisition 10 :ha
American navy.
Mr.. Allen is hopeful also that the Viz
caya and Oquendo can be saved in part.
Information has reached the department
that the hulls are not badly damaged.
The contract with the Merritt Wrecking
Company is by the Day and may hc
cancelled ut any time if the government
finds the work is not progressing salts
factorily. Two large wrecking vessels
left Norfolk today to begin the work
upon the Colon, Nizcaya and Oquendo.
Quartermaster General Ludington is
going to sell the first bale of cotton
grown in the United States this year 70,
the benefit of the United States hospital
fund now so severely taxed by the war.
\ day or two ago President Mckinley
received from II. & Il. Beer of New
Orleans. the following letter: "We eX
press today to YOU the first bale of cot
ton Of the new crop, to be disposed of
in such manner as yon ere fit for the
benefit of the United States hospital
fund" The President sent this note TO
the War Department with instructions
TO accept the offer. and Quartermaster
Luddington was charged with the sale
OF the bale. He is forwarding it to New
York to the Produce Exchange. where
it will be bid off ut auction toward tbe
end Of the week. The expectation is that
the cotton will bring Il fancy figure in
view of the use for which the money is
destined.