The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-05-31

Washington, May 28.-The navy de-
which for the first time relieved the
officials of the anxiety and doubt they
have felt for the last few days, and
satisfied them on two vital points.
First, that the Americal fleet under
Commodore Schley was outside of San
tiago harbOr and, second, that Ad-
miraI Cervera's fleet was inside that
harbor. This information came from
private sources which naval officials
regard as thoroughly reliable. 1t is
from the same source that gave the
navy department the first informa ton,
a!most a week ago, that the Spanish
squadron was inside of Santiago har-
Dor. This source Of information has
proved itself reliable thus far and for
that reason the news received today
was accepted as conclusive. 1t did
not come from any naval or state de-
dartment officials. There is little
doubt, however, that it will be supple
mented by official advices from Com
mOdOre Schley, if, indeed, such ad-
vices are not already here, though up
to the close of office hours, the navy
department had not bulletined any
thing from Schley.
The officials were in a state of ex-
peCtancy, having learned from the
press dispatches from Kingston that
the scouting vessel Harvard was there
with reports for the department Sec
retary Long went to the review at
Camp Afger during the afternoon and
in his absence no information was
made public.
Relying on the private advices re-
ceived, naval officials feel that the en-
tire military situation is simpiified and
the powers of mischief by the Spanish
fleet are at an end. One distinguished
officer remarked that as a result of the
information received he felt ten years
younger since yesterday. He had been
seriously apprehenSive that the Span
ish fleet had succeeded in getting
away, but the information OF today re-
1ieved his mind on that point. He said
that Commodore Schley could now
spare several of the ships from his
squadron to permit them to join in
offensive demonstrations elsewhere.
All SChley needs, it is pointed out, is
a small force to watch the entrance of
Santiago harbor. Two battleships and
two cruisers would be ample for this
service, as such force would largely
overmatch the four armOred cruisers
in the Spanish squadron. In this way
Admiral Cervera's fleet can be pocket
ed without keeping large number of
American ships out of active service at
other needed points.
In calculating upon keeping the
Spanards penned up in this fashion
the officials have taken into account
the possibility of the dispersion of
the American blockading fleet by one
of the tropical cyclones that are al
most due at this season. The Amer1-
J. can fleet in such case would be obliged
to cut and run for some neutral port
or to make it's way by force into one
of the Cuban ports for shelter. In eth
.er case there might be an opportunity
for the Spanish fleet to make it's eS-
cape providing the commanding Off
GERS are willing to take the desperate
chance of going out in weather heavy
enough to compel the big American
ironclads to seek shelter, unless we
block the harbor by scuttling boats
in the channel. On her way to this
country the Vizcaya passed through
some very severe weather almost ap-
preaching the cyclonic, and proved
that vessels of her class are able to
withstand such storms with perfect
safely.
During the day the navy de-
partment posted bulletin giving re-
assuring advices from Admiral Dewey.
This was the only specific bit OF lnfor-
nation given out during office hours.
1t was a day replete with rumors,
some of them of a very sensational ma
culinary battles failed of verificatfon
and ultimately proved to be ground
less, so far as the reports reachlnS
here disclosed.
APPOINTMENTS BY THE PRESI-
DENT.
! The president today sent these NOM
-1nations to the senate:
To be Major General of Volunteers
matthew c. Butler, South Carolina.
! To be Brigataer Generals of Volun-
feers-James r. Waits, of Texas; Nell
kson Cole of Missouri, and William G.
Oates, of Alabama.
To be Comnisssry of Subsistence,
with Rank of Captain-Chariess Ellet
Cable, of Virginia.
To be Chief Surgeon, with Rank OF
Major-Frank s. Bourns, OF georgia.
To be Additional Paymasters-Geo.
z. Pickett, of Virginia; James s. Har-
yey, of Florida; Charles Albert Sffyile'
of Virginia, and Otto Becker, OF Gaer-
gia.
Hon. M. c. Butler, who was today
nominated by the president to be ma
1'or general Of the army, Is ex-senator
2 utler of South Carolina. He served
ming the civil war in the confederate
army and afterward was prominently
ident fed with the stirring events tnat
rnarkad the reconstruction pefted IN
the south. He was endorsed for the
nosition by many United States sena-
tors of all parties and his nomination
cave general satisfaction in the SEN
ate He was endorsed by both the
Youth Carolina senators. His ncmina.