The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-05-01

WASHINGTON. April sn.-All interest
today WIS concentrated on tho Philippines,
though II seemed almost hopeless to ex-
pect any news fressi that point. which II
for the present at least. the critical point
OF naval operations.
Indeed one high official well versed in
the plans of the strategic board declared
that upon the result OF the engagement
which Commodore Dewey Is expected 70
have had with the Spanish fleet today,
or within a day or two mt least might
depend 10 some extent the outcome of tho
war.
When Secretary Long left the navy de-
paftmsnt ne had received no word from
Commodore Dewey nor from any point In
the east. He has been very busy during
the day. and the same thing Was true Of
Secretary Alser. both being obliged to
senators. representatives aud other per-
sons Of supposed influence seeking to So
cure the appointment of constituents to
places In the army and nasS.
Secretary Long received dispatch from
Admiral Sampson relative to the shelling
of Matanzas batteries. but had no in-
formation whatever az To the reported
attack upon csrdenas yesterday. The inn
preston prevails at the department.
among those who are not taken into tha
secrets of the naval war board. that the
moves OF Admiral Sampson are OF strate-
gle character and no, accidental happen
ings, as might be supposed from their app
parentiy spontaneous character.
Key West Il evidently TO be made Q
base OF the first order OF Importance, -
far as the fleet II concerned, o;hefwise
Secretary Long would never have called
upon an officer OF such, high rank ~ Conn
modcre Berry 10 command the station.
The commodore has been relieved at the
Portsmouth navy yard. n. H.. by re-
tired officer Of equal rank
Two more retired officers OF high order
of ability are 10 be called into active serv-
lee Monday. In the persons OF Naval Con-
atructors II. ". Steele and w L. Min
toyne. The board Of bureau chiefs Is now
engaged in preparing the advertisement
calling for the construction OF torpedo
BEATS and destroyers. Ey "A special provi.
sion of the naval BILL the advertisement
Will run only three weeks. instead Of three
months. as Is usual.
The department will describe only the
general characteristics OF the torpedo
ifssat. leaving 10 the builders the submission
Of plans for their construction. Chief Com
structor Hiehbera said today that when
lhe department has placed the contracts
for the vessels authorized by the pending
nasal appropriation bill the government
will have under construction nt ona tinis
greater number OF vessels than II eeer
has had before since the war. and great
eF tesanase In the aggregate than Ut any
time during the eigil conflict. There vii:
ne not ies@ than fhirty-six veasela asio-
eether thus piaeed under construction.
three bsttieships, sixteen torpedo boat de-
stroyers. twelve torpedo boats. four coast
defense mentors aud one glnboat on the
Eikes
The honor OF being aeet engineer Of tho
mosquito feet has fallen 20 retired effi-
sho Is now A prosperous business Hisn of
New York hat la@ consented to <aer'tirs
his personal Interests 10 fight in ibe navy.
More electricians are wanted la the navy.
and The secretary today directed 4 special
recfs5tiag station 10 ba opened at ths
washington nagy yard al ] o'clock Monday
10 recruit the electricians.
The Chinese minister Mr. sFa Ting Fang.
called al tbs state department today and
had = talk with officials concerning the
war situation. He dis not bring a notes
of G.laina's neutrality. nor has ne received
word thss far from biz government that
cisins wil. declare her neutrality. The aa-
thoritses here would not be dsspiessed IL
chsns withheld her decree a NORTH longer.
az sueh a couss~ might be OF distinct adj
yantsgs 10 the GATED States In case Con