The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-06-10

parent this afternoon that the War De.
partment, through the energetic efforts of
it's censors has succeeded entirely in its
purpose to keep the movements of the
United States troops a secret. At the close
Of the day. it was impossible to learn
the whereabouts of the United States
troops, which had been for weeks gather
ing under command Of General Shafter in
Florida.
Stories of the appearance of a mysterious
warship in Cuban waters fioated through
the navy department during the day.
The officers quickly condemned them,
declaring that If the boats were Spanish
they were nothing more than small armed
launches and not to be feared by any
number of transports conveyed by such
fine gunboats as the Helena and Ban
croft. But when these stories reached
the war department. they were received in
a different spirit. Nothing is more help
less in warfare than an unarmed troop
transport full OF soldiers. She would fall
and the soldiers knowing their weakness
in this respect are loath to undertake to
GROSS Florida straits until these disagree
able visitors have been removed from the
pathway. Without respect to the charac-
ter of the strange craft said to be lodging
the plockaders at Havana, they will be
removed from the scene of action in short
notice, as it is understood that Sampson
has been made acquainted with the situ-
alton and will be expected to redeem his
promise to provide safe conduct to the
army when called upon. He has ample
force to conduct the operations at Senti-
ago to successful issue and still spare
vessels of any power desirable for use in
the Florida straits.
It was pointed out today by naval
officer that the Admiral since the arrival
of the marine battalion on the Panther
has at his disposal what he may regard as
a sufficient force of men to capture SRnti-
ago, even before the troops arrive. The
800 marines on the Panther added to the
marines already with the feet, would
make total of about 1900 men. Without
impairing the efficiency of his ships, Ad-
miral Sampson could spare thousand
blue. Jackets for landing party, and with
these total forces of $500 men, if the in
surgents who have been armed by the
United States government. do their share,
it seems possible for Sampson to capture
Santiago at short notice. There seemed
to be very decided air of expectation
this afternoon, among the officials who
are acquainted with the governments
plan of campaign that almost warranted
| a conclusion that an engagement of some
kind was expected today.
Steady progress is making upon the
| ships under construction by the govern
ment at the several navy yards, as re-
vealed by the monthly report from the
| various yards to Chief Constructor Hich-
born. On the battleships, the Newport
News people are ahead, having the Kear-
| sarge, and kentucky SO per cent advanced
| toward completion, and the Illinois 46 per
cent Cramp and Sons report the Ala
| bama So per cent along and the Union
| Iron works have progressed 3s pei cent
with the Wisconsin. Ten torpedo ooats
are now actually under construction and
have been completed to the following ex-
tent:
"The Rowan, s6 knots. building at
Moran Bros, 9e.5 per cent; the Dahlgren.
30 knots. building at the Bath Iron
Works Bath, Me-, 7s per cent; the T. A.
NJ. Craven, 80 knots. Bath Iron Works,
Bath, Me, so per cent; the Farragut, 80
knots. Bath Iron Works, Bath, Me, so
per cent; the Farragut. 80 knots, Union
Iron Works, San Francisco 80 per cent;
| the Davis and Fox 225 knots, Wolff and
Zwicker, Portland, Oregon. SS per cent
and 50 per cent respectively; the Macken-
zie, 20 knots, Charles Hilman, Philadel-
phia. 90 per cent; the Stringham, 80
knots. Harlan ana Hollingsworth, vii.
mington, Del, 2s per cent: the Goldsboro.
80 knots, Wolff & zwioker, per cent; the
Bailey, 80 knots, Gas Engine and Power
company, New Jersey, I-2 psr cent.
The submarine boat Plunger, building
| at the Columbian Iron Works, Baltimore'
similar in many respects to the Holland
10 said to be ~ per cent advanced