The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-06-16

adopted by the enemy from getting fair
chance at them. However the department
is assured that there is no real danger in
the situation, because IL seriously threat
ened by an overwhelming force the marines
with very short notice can retire aboard
the American ships, where they would be in
perfect safety. 1t is mainly sentiment, en-
bodied in a determination to keep the
American flag flying over the place where it
was first planted, and thus retaining for
the navy the honor of obtaining the first
position on shore, that keeps the marines
cncamped on the Bay of Guantanamo. II is
true, however, that an important secondary
purpose will be served by their presence,
as the place will afford a proper cable sta
ton when the French cable between Haiti
sna Santiago is spuced. 1t is possible to
operate a cable from a ship in the harbor.
but the communication in such cases is
precarious and undesirable. Word has
come to the Navy Department that the st.
Paul has left Cape Haitien with operators
and instruments for the cable, and 1t will
not be surprising if Sampson opens direct
communication with the United States via
Haiti at almost any moment What
threatened to be an international difficulty
over the operation of the cable under such
conditions has been removed, and it is
said that the French cable company own
ing the line has been most obliging in ac-
ceding to the request of our government.
THE SANTIAGO EXPEDITION.
Although Tampa dispatches said that the
transport fleet was going to double Cape
Antonio, the western extremity of Cuba, in
proceeding to Santiago, the naval officials
do not believe that is the case, for the rea-
son that the western route is fully two
hundred miles longer than the route by way
of Cape Maysi, and in addition, the trans
ports would have to fight the gulf stream
until they had got clear around Cape An
tonic. On the eastern course the ships
would have the full benefit of the favorable
current until they reached Cape Maysi,
about two-thirds of yhe distance to be trav-
eled. 1t is believed here that the idea that
the ships were westward bound grew out OF
the circumstance that they headed for the
Tortugas, the point selected for the fleet of
transports to pick up the heavier vessels of
the convoy squadron, such as the Indiana,
which has not been able to get within ten
miles of Key West, because of the lack of
water. The officials see no reason to correct
their original estimate that the troops will
be off Santiago Friday.
The attorney general has referred to the
Navy Department an appeal by Captain
Laze and the twelve members of the crew
of the prize steamer Argonauta to be al
lowed to go to Cuba. The Argonauta was
captured by the Nashville April 20 off Glen
fuegos, and was condemned as a fair prize
Her officers and crew were released upon
giving their parole not to take up arms
against the United States during the pres
ent war. They represent that their fam
lies live in Cuba, and ask permission to
Join them, promising to observe their parole
The Navy Department has been obliged to
refuse This request, contenting itself with
giving the men their liberty.
The secretary of the navy has chrstened
iceboat No. the Arctic. She was hired to
the government by the city Of Philadelphia
for an indefinite time for the sum of 81, and
is expected to prove valuable as a supply
boat. The yachts Silvia and Elfrida have
been allowed to retain their names on the
naval list