The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-06-10

were posted LOOdy DIT the navy uepdlI
ment, and, although there were signs
that the department was in communi-
cation with the south, the newspapers
men were. assured that there were no
events worth reporting treated of in
the messages.
The department is also very busy in
arranging details for the Manila ex-
petitions, having undei runen to make
ready the transports which will carry
the soldiers from San Francisco to
Manila. Work IN these is being hur-
ried under Geographic orders and by
the end of the week there will be q
sufficient military force afloat to en-
able Admiral Dewey, when it reaches
him, to do pretty much as he pleases
at Manila. This is an object very
much at heart just now; for, fully
recognizing the good military qualities
displayed by the insurgents, accord
ing to the newspaper reports, III their
comDats around Cavite, the officials
are lOath to rely entirely upon them
for any length of time, fearing a re-
lapse on their part into that
might startle the civilized world.
JAPAN WANTS TO SEE THE
FIGHT.
The Japanese are the latest to turn
up with applications for permission to
study the echnical features of the
present war and today Secretary Alger
granted special permission to Com
mander ketsuro Narila, of the Impe-
rial Japanese navy, and Lieutenant Sa-
neyuki Akiyama to go with the army
of occupation of Cuba.
There is considerable mystery. con-
corning the cutting of cables running
out of Cuba, and the continuance of
cable service from that island. It was
positively established that the French
cable, running from Santiago to Cape
Haytien, went out of service last Fri
day and remained out of working con-
ditiOn until Saturday. During the
tWenty-fOur hours interruption the ca
bic company was unable to carry any
business over this line. There is lit
tie doubt the interruption was due to
the work of the cable-cutting ship sent
out by General Greeley; but the mys-
terry Of the affair is that the French
cable began working again on Satur-
day. How this came about is beyond
explanation by the best cable experts.
The French cable mpan is as much
in the dark on this point as are the
anticipates here.
The matter is further complicated by
reports reaching the officials here to-
day that the cable again stopped
working at midnight on Monday. The
condition of this cable is regarded as
important by the authorities here as it
is one of the means open to General
BlanCO in his mmuniCatiO with the
Spanish authorities.
The senate today confirmed the nom
nation of S. S. Harvey, of Florida, to
be an additional paymaster in the
army
The president today nominated Hi
ram L. Grant, of North Carolina, to
be additional paymaster in the army
and Edward Wilson, of Georgia, to be
captain Third regiment, United States
volunteer infantry.
HONORS FOR THE MERRIMAC'S
CREW.
The president has directed Admiral
Sampson to forward a detailed report
of the gallant action of Lieutenant
Richmond Pearson Hobson, at Santi-
ago and as soon as that is received.
will send a special message to congress
recognizing the heroism displayed not
only by Hobson, but by the men who
accompanied him on the Merrimac.
The order for a full report is already
on the way, the president feeling it
best to wait official advices before
taking the action he now contem-
plates. What will be recommended for
HObsOn and his crew is not certain
now, but there will be probably a
recommendation for a vote of hanks
specifically naming Hobson, though
probably not naming the men. Medals
of honor. it is expected by those who
have talked with the president on the
subject, will be tsruck off for the lit
tie band of men and promotion of some
sort is in store for all of them. 1t will
take some days for Admiral Sampson
to get his report here, but probably
some time next week a message sig
nalizing the Merrimac incident will be
sent to congress.
MORE TROOPSHIPS SECURED
Assistant Secretary Meikeljohn has
chartered the steamships Indiana.
Morgan City and City of Para for
transport of the troops to the Philip
pines; has closed a contract for the
Victoria. Olympia, and the Arizona of
the Northern Pacific steamship line.
and secured the privilege of acquiring
the Tacoma and the Columbia if need
ed. all five on condition they are given
an American register. He also has
ordered impressed into service the
Senator the Queen. and the City of
Pueblo of the Pacific Coast Steamship
Company if found satisfactory.
CAPTAIN PHILIP NOT INJURED.
New York, June S.-A special cable
dispatch from Madrid says that IN the
course of Mondays c~annonadlng at
Santiago de Cuba Captain Philip, OF
the United States battleship Texas
was killed by a Spanish shell. There
is nothing in other dispatches from
West Indian waters to substantiate the
report.
Copyright by Associated Press.)
Kingston, ia, June S.-3:35 p. M
The report circulated IN the united
States that Captain Philip, commander
of the United States battleship Texas,
had been seriously injured by a shell
during the Commandment of the San