The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1898-04-29

Chartered-Will be Used as Transports
General Lee in washinston-win Call at
State Department To-day.
Washington, April 2s.-The shelling
of the Matanzas batteries was the topic
of absorbing interest throughout naval
and official circles generally to-day. 1t
was discussed on the basis of the press
reports from Key West, as the navy
department received no information
whatever on the subject. Secretary
Long said at 4 o'clock this afternoon,
as he closed UP his office work for the
day, that no report had been received
from Admiral Sampson, nor was the
navy department advised in any way
of the shelling of Matanzas. Mr.. Long
added that he felt no disposition to
keep from the public any news con-
cerning such an important event as a
naval engagement or a naval battle.
While it was essential that future
strategic moves should be guarded with
the greatest care, yet Mr.. Long recog-
nized that, as to battles and their casu-
alties, the public was entitled to know
what had occurred. The secretary said
that in the absence of official informa-
tion he was inclined to believe that the
shelling was confined to the exchange
of few shots and did not assume the
proportions of a regular bombardment.
When his attention was directed to re-
ports that the shelling was the result
of direct orders from the president, the
secretary said this was not so, as the
president was giving no direct orders
on any of these movements.
Purchase of Ships stopped.
The navy department has completely
ceased it's purchase of ships for con-
version into war vessels owing to the
exhaustion of the $50,000,000 war fund.
1t is confidently expected that con-
gress will come to the relief, as the de-
partment is still in need of auxiliary
vessels. The news of the safe arrival
at Liverpool of the big American sail
ing ship Shenandoah was glady receiv-
ed at the department. Consul Boyle at
Liverpool forwarded the information.
Port Royal Drydock.
The Port Royal drydock, according
to official information, will be accessi-
BILE to our warships, even the biggest Of
the fleet, should they meet with acci-
dent during the campaign. The report
from the constructor in charge shows
that the entrance to the dock is now
dredged and clear. The work Of dredg
Ing the basin is still in progress, and
while this is not absolutely necessary,
it is extremely desirable in order to
insure the safety of the ships in dock
ing, and the department is endeavoring
to hasten the contractors in their work.
They estimate that about fifteen days
more will suffice to complete 1t.
Plans for New Battleships.
The board of bureau chiefs met to-
day to consider the plans for the three
new battleships authorized by the
naval appropriation BILL Circulars will
be sent out tomorrow inviting bids
from the shipbuilders. The vessels will
be in the main very similar to the IL
linois, now building at Newport News.
They will be about 1880 tons displace-
ment, rs foot beam, 23 IL feet depth,
16 knots speed; will be covered with
heavy armor and armed with 1S and g.
inch guns in addition to numerous sec
ondary batteries. 1t can be stated
authoritatively that there is no present
prospect of a change in the head of the
navigation buerau. The present eff
cient chief, Captain Crowninshield,
though anxious to take his place in the
fighting line, has yielded his personal
ambitions and will remain at his post.
Eight Large Steamers Chartered.
The war department to-day chartered
eight large steamers of an average ca
pacity of about 1000 tong and able to
carry from 500 to 1900 passengers each.
These are to be used as transports for
the conveyance Of the first military ex-
pedition to Cuba. The names of the
boats are the Olivette and the Florida
of the Plant line, now in the Gulf; the
Southern Pacific company's steamer
Arkansas, the New York and Texas
companys vessel Comal, now at New
York, and the Malamo now en- route to
the Gulf, and three fine ships Of the
Boston Merchant and Miners line in
Baltimore, the Allegheny, the Berkshire
and the Decatur Miller. They will be
taken charge Of by the quartermaster's
department at the earliest possible
moment.
General Shafter in Consultation.
General Shafter In command Of the
United States troops now concentrated
at New Orleans, has been in consrlta-
ton with the officials to-day as to the
execution of plans Of the campaign, but
the orders given to him cannot be
made public. The president and cab
met will consider tomorrow the large
number of applications made for ap-
pointment to the poses of maior-gen-
eral and brigadier-general
General Lee in Washington.
General Fitzhugh Lee arrived here
late to-day after ten days visit to
his family in Virginia. With him came
Miss Cisneros, the young Cuban girl
rescued from Cubanas, who has been
the guest of Miss Lee. The general
shared the keen public interest in the
report of the shelling of Matanzas. He
had visited the city freqJu ntly and
was familiar with the lay of the land
and the defenses. He said the bat
teries were antiquated and were not
likely to offer any formidable resist
ance General Lee will call at the state
department tomorrow morning. Being
still an official, he asked to be excused
from discussing the war situation, and
1t,