The herald., 1898-04-27

1t is the opinion of this correspondent
that very little reliance can be placed in
Captain fuckers story.
About 200 Spanish cavalry were seen on
the beach about fifteen miles from Ell Nor
70 this afternoon. The flagship was lying
at no great distance from the shore, and
they were within easy range, but no shots
were fired 1t is believed the Spanish
cavalry is establishing a patrol to pre-
vent repetition of such incidents as the
| Porter landing last night. The Ell Morro
batteries were believed to be firing at
something about s p. M. but it was I'M
possible to ascertain definitely whether
this was so or not. The Wilmington cap
tured the tiny schooner Sol of Sagua with
a cargo of sugar, but let her go after being
| careful to see that she went IN direc-
ton opposite to Havana
| The torpedo boat Foote is reported as
| having been fairly on the Matanzas bat
teries, but thus far not single casualty
of any kind in the fleet has been heard of
on the flagship.
Lieutenant Juan del Pine of the Spanish
infantry and his orderly were brought ,a
board the flagship this morning from the
gunboat Wilmington, to whom they had
peeH luTHSQ ONeI ny lliC SAuisCA
The cruiser captured the Spaniards while
they were in a small schooner bound for
Matanzas. Lieutenant Pine was on a fur.
Tough and going to see his wife and infant
child. The baby was born last Friday and
he had never seen it. Under these circum-
stances, Admiral Sampson and Captain
Chadwick decided to let the officer and his
orderly go under parole. They were sent
ashore in one of the newspaper dispatcn
boats.
Anxious for News
WASHINGTON, April 26.-The greatest
anxiety is shown at the navy department
for news from the blockading squadron.
Notwithstanding the frequent reports that
come from unofficial sources of engage
ments between the squadron and the shore,
no confirmation came officially. The prizes
reported to have been seized today by the
fleet were not officially reported in the dis
patches. but the press reports were re-
ceived with the greatest satisfaction by
the department officials. who in some cases
did not cease to declare their envy of their
brother officers of the fleet. In fact, 1t ls
becoming very hard for Secretary Long
to retain in the service of the department
their earnest desire to go to the front.
A few days ago for instance. Commodore
Bradford, chief of the equipment bureau.
rendered his resignation of that place and
asked to be given a warship. After con-
sidering the matter for a day or two, the
secretary was obliged to reply that while
he appreciated the sense of patriotism and
high professional spirit that prompted the
ba hot ba t1,,1
This he said was due to the fact that Com
modore Bradfords services at the head of
the equipment bureau We're more valuable
than they could be at the front.
Among the orders issued today was one
directing Captain A. p. Mahan, the author
and world-renowned authority on naval
tactics, to report for duty at the navy de-
partment. Captain Mahan is a retired Of
ficer and will be assigned to position on
the strategic board. Probably he will re-
place Admiral Walker, for whom the
president and Secretary Long cherish the
highest regard on account of his profess
sonal ability and who is to be assigned to
duty of the highest Importance in the i'm
mediate future.
Upon recommendation of Captain Lem
ley, judge advocate general, Secretary
Long today directed the release from a
Boston naval prison of twenty-eight sail
ors. The men have been in prison for
various infractions of military law and the
department believes that conditions war;
rant their restoration to active service.
1t appears that the assignment of Rear
Admiral II. Eerben. retired, to relieve
Commander Elmer in charge of the mos
quito fleet, was caused by the Ill health of
Commander Elmer, whose death was re-
ported today. More than dozen retired
officers were called into service by Secre-
tary Long today.