Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1898-05-05

Washington. May L. 1t was day
OF alarming rumors, running all the
way from the blowing up of a big mon
itor to the detection and punishment
OF traitors, but fortunately all of them
turned out on inquiry to be without
foundation. Actual events of impor-
lance We're few in number. The news
OF the day of the most interest was
the departure from Cape Verde of the
Spanish feet. the stay of which at st.
Vincent has been ii source of anxiety
on the part of the officials here be-
cause 1t seemed to indicate the sympa>
thy Of Portugal for Spain might LEAD
her to wink at violation of neutrality
laws in favor of Spain. Late in the
afternoon a cablegram came to the
state department from Cape Verde,
bearing no signature, announcing that
four battleships and three torpedo
boats had started oorth and some of
the transports for Cuba, and that the
northern fleet returned shortly having
been in collision.
Sampson Makes a Report.
Admiral Sampson sent a telegram
relative to the firing at the Matanzas
forts, but it was disappointingly lack
ing in detail, but the few words con-
tanned in the dispatch went to confirm
the official view that the affair was
nothing more than a naval reconnois-
sance. No news came from Admiral
Dewey's squadron now on its way to
the Philippines to do battle with the
Spanish feet. One officer pointed out
today that if Admiral Dewey succeed
ed in defeating the Spanish feet the
Spanish officials who control the cable
connecting the islands with the rest Of
the world in all probability may sup
press the news OF distort the facts
into Spanish victory. Presenting
that the admiral is bound directly for
Manila the calculation made at the
navy department show he will arrive
about 2 o'clock this morning, Manila
time, which is about twelve hours
earlier than our own.
The pressure continues undated on
the war department for changes in the
plans already announced as to mobil-
iZation of the volunteer troops, and
very much against it's will and judy
ment, the war department is making
some concessions in this matter.
Looking for Plums.
A large number of callers are bring
ing forward candidates for the many
plums within the gift of the president
and Secretary Alger in the shape of
appointments to grades above regi-
mental in the army. Gen. Lee and
Gen. Dodge spent a good part Of the
day in conference with officials. CIV
ing color to the reports that they are
among those selected for appointment
as majors general.
The announcement that the State of
Texas, laden with supplies for the re-
concentrates, is destined for Sagua,
has led to the surmise that it is prob
ably this port instead of Matanzas
which has been selected for the land
ing place of the first detachment Of
detachment Of United States troops.
Regarding the harmless growls that
appear in the European press, and
threats to interfere to prevent the
United States forces from blockading
the Philippines, it may be stated that
this was fully expected. During tie
civil war there were a great many at
tempts on the part of European ma
tons to disregard our blockade and
threats of interference, all Of which
came to naught from the firm attitude
assumed by the secretary of state. In
the present case the conditions of the
Cuban blockade are much more liberal
Toward the Powers
than ever imposed before. Viscount de
Santo Thyrso, the Portuguese minister,
looked over the Associated Press cable
dispatch from Lisbon giving the sub
stance of the neutrality decree go
Zetted there, and said it was evidently
accurate and covered the entire sub
ject. He had not, however, up to a
late hour, received All official notitica-
ton of the neutrality decree.
The British and French ambassa-
doris here have received instructions
relative to the tonnage tax provisions
in the war tariff bill which has just
passed the house of representatives.
1t is understood that the German am
bassador will also receive instructions
on the same subject. The nature of
the instructions is not disclosed, hut
they doubtless relate to jaint represen-
tations against the severity of the new
tonnage tax. Leading diplomats are
hopeful that their representations will
lead to q modification of the clause
before the new tariff bill becomes a
law, as otherwise they feel that the
tonnage dues will be so burdensome
on British, French and German ship
ping as to cause it to seek Canadian
and Mexican ports.
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