The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-05-13

passed at TIE navy department without
news from Admiral Sampson. Not
vithstandng what appears 10 be con-
frmatory newspaper advices relative
TO the presence Of the Spanish Cape
Verde fleet at Cadiz. the navy depart
ment officials are beginning 10 enter
tain strong doubt OF accuracy OF the re-
port. Il was not possible during the
course of the day 10 obtain anything
like an official confirma ton Of the offl-
cial report received yesterday, but
this is not 20 be wondered at in view
Of the success with which the Spanish
government has so far met with in
keeping secret the movements OF its
naval ships. Until news comes from
Admiral Sampson Of his doings in and
around Porto Rico il cannot be said
definitely what programme shall be
decided on as regards that island.
TROOPS FOR PORTO RICO.
1t has been suggested that some of
the troops now being L4rried to the
gulf coast may foe intended TO cooper
ate with Admiral Sampson in the re-
ductiOn of the fortifications at San
Juan de Porto Rico and the subsequent
occupation Ct the island. II is felt that
the admiral will be in a rather disa-
greeable plight, supposing even that he
managed to reduce the forts with his
HtCI, IL lie w ere 10 Tculdlll lHcic
IN occupation of the place, for lack of
troops, when he might otherwise be ur-
gently needed either on the Cuban
coast or somewhere in the Atlantic IL
meet the Spanish flee.
An evidence of the wisdom of having
the troops transports near at hand in
such cases is shown by the predicament
Admiral Dewey is believed to be in at
Manila, where for lack of troops he is
H. ~
vent atrocities which the insurgents
are capable to working upon their help
less Spanish foes.
RENEWED ANXIETY AS TO THE
OREGON.
The revival of doubts as to the where
abouts of the Cape Verde squadron
caused a renewal of anxiety as to the
Oregon. The ship was at Bahia at
last accounts and is believed to have
started a day or two ago up the Bra
lillian coast to join SIMPSONS squad
ron in the West Indies. She will have
to make a run of 5000 miles, which will
occupy the Oregon about ten days only,
as she is in fine fettle and averaged
thirteen knots an hour on the long run
around from San Francisco. However,
it is believed that Sampson is as we'll
posted as any one in Washington as to
the conditions existing in the West In
dies and doubtless will do whatever is
necessary in his judgement to safe
guard the ship in her run up the coast.
During the past month the bureau of
construction and repair Of the navy de-
partment spent 81, 1,250000 in the repair
and outfitting of ships, and none Of
| this money went to new construction.
! This is said to be the largest expendi-
ture in this particular line made by the
equipment bureau, even during the
days of the civil war.
! The navy department felt obliged to
| decline the offer made by some wealthy
! New York gentlemen headed by .. ii.
P. Belmont, to build and equip torpe-
do boat for the use of the government
during the war Possibly the declina-
ton was brought about through the
condition attached to the offer that the
boat should be commanded by Mr.. Bel
/ mont, for, without the least reflection
upon that gentleman, the naval officials
have been obliged to decline to estab-
lish the precedent of appointing civill-
ans to command in this way. The
practice in some respects would ap-
proach privateering, which is distinctly
prohibited by the agreement we have
voluntarily entered into and proclaimed
to the world.
; Lieutenant Colonel Roosevelt today
turned over the duties of assistant sec
retary Of the navy to Charles H. Allen,
of Massachusetts, and the latter held a
reception at the department to all the
employees.
The rush orders to the Charleston
which went out today, will have the re-
suit possibly of obliging the department
to send another vessel, probably the
Philadelphia, along with the troop
transports which are expected to GO
out from San Francisco about the end
Of ho iC a
! time of war to send troops without a
warship for convoy.
THE CHARLESTON TO SAIL AT
/ ONCE
! The navy department has decided to
! have the cruiser Charleston start al
| once on it's relief mission to Admiral
Dewey's fleet at Manila. The orders
| issued anticipate the departure of the
Charleston from San Francisco today
if it is possible to get the ammunition
: and stores aboard and she will leave
! without waiting to convoy the City
! of Pekin and other ships loaded with
| supplies. The orders to the comman-
! dant of the navy yard at Mare Island
! are to put on board the Charleston all
/ the ammunition she will carry so long
| as her steaming capacity is not retart-
| ed. 1t is the understanding here that
| at least $50 tons of ammunition can be
put on board. BY extraordinary efforts
| on the part of the authorities here, all
| the powder, shot and she'll requisite for
| this relief expedition have been assem-
bled at San Francisco. Owing to the
| departure of the Charleston it is not
expected that she will wait for any
l'considerable number of troops, as these
| will follow later on the other relief
| ships. She has crew of about 800 men
| and this will probably be augmented by
| marine guard of a few hundred. The
Charleston is a protected cruiser OF
| 8, $50 tons displacement, built of steel
| and mounts eight guns in her main
battery. She has twin screws and ar
| indicated horse power of 6,666. The au-
| thorities here hardly expect her to make
| more than thirteen knots with hel
| heavy stock of coal, ammunition and
| supplies. Her coal bunkers are rather
| low so that she will proba bly, have to
| stop at Honolulu to recoal. Her trip to
| Manila will take about two weeks. The
| City of Pekin, which will follow her, is
very feet merchantmen, capable OF