The San Francisco call., 1898-04-25


 % ST. VINCENT, Cape de Verde Y 4 Islands, April 24.-I was in- < % formed to-day by naval officer, % Y whose position is such that in- % < formation coming from him may < - be taken as absolutely reliable, % < that the only reason for the de- % -1 tentiOn of the Spanish squadron % % here is that the admiral has not % % yet received his sailing orders < % from Madrid. %
 This strictly confirms the denial cabled to the Herald yesterday of the reports of a mutiny in the crew and that the machinery of the vessels had been disabled. My informant also told me that the admiral and the other of ficers of the squadron were expecting orders to sail westward at almost any minute. This statement is borne out by the fact that every vessel has been for two days all prepared for a hur- Tied departure, fires being kept banked.
 Every one in the fort is being made to keep the bunkers of both cruisers and torpedo boats filled to their utmost capacity. To such an extent is this precaution carried that each morning NOlAiEAS | ulL si4DllSSlQC NllC AlCCN tS place coal that has been used during the preceding twenty-four hours.
 BUENOS AIRES, April 24.-The Spanish torpedo gun vessel Temerario is now lying at = IT in the inner roads at Mon video. The fact that she has not steam up and that there are no unusual signs of activity on board her may be taken as indicating that she is not likely to sail to-day It Is the general belief ere that the Span ish vessel will not undertake to give battle to tn Jnited States battle ship Oregon and gunboat Marietta, when are supposed to be in thi- vicinity on their way to the United States. The run yesterday to the outer roads was 10 try the machinery and to give the crew a practice run.
 The Oregon and Marietta have not yet been sighted at Montevldeo. Sub scriptions for war purposes which have been undertaken by Spaniards here are meeting with good success. Among the subscribers are many Frenchmen and Italians. The Uruguayan Red Cross Society has informed the Spanish com mission that it is prepared to send an expedition to Cuba. The Herald cor respondent in Rio de Janeiro informs me that 300 Americans there have eX- pressed a wis to go as sailors on board the Nictherov when she starts for the United States. The battalion formed by the Spaniards now includes more than 500 men.
 NEW YORK, April 24.-The Wash ington correspondent of the Herald says: Besides being officially informed to-day that the Spanish fleet at St. Vincent was still at that point, the Navy Department received adViceS that the Spanish torpedo gun vessel Teme- raTiO which was reported yesterday to have left Buenos Ayres, had simply dropped down the roads, and is still therefore, in Argentine waters. The fact that the Temerario has not put to sea is regarded as most suspicious by naval officers, and in connection with the retention of the Spanish fleet at Cape Verde Islands, is regarded as in dicative of the purpose of the Madrid Government to use the little effort to encompass, if possible, the destruction of the American battleship Oregon and her cOnsort, the gunboat Marietta
 I was told to-day that on account of the strained relations between the United States and Spain during the past two months. the exportation of coal from the United States to South American countries had been greatly reduced, and that there is danger of a coal famine in Brazil.
 Having Knowledge of this fact, the Spaniards, I was told by a member of the late legation of Spain before his departure from the city some days ago, would lay in wait in force for the Ore gon off Cape St. Roque and give battle to that vessel and the Marietta as soon as they were sighted Of course the Spanish Minister in Brazil will cable to his Government the arrival and de- parture of American ships, so that Spain will be able to gauge the move ments of her fleet with a view to the prompt interception of vessels flying the stars and strips.
 The report that the Navy Depart ment was advised by cable yesterday of the arrival of the Oregon and Mari etta at Punta Arenas is without foun- dation. In the first place, there is no cable communication with Punta Are mas, and in the second. the authorities have reason to believe that the Oregon has passed through the Straits of Ma gellan and is now on her way up the Atlantic to Rio. The fact that the in- structions given to the Oregon and Marietta required them to meet at Punta Arenas may have given rise to the report of the arrival of vessels there.
 It is the belief of officials that the Oregon will be able to- take care of her self, and that the Marietta will assist in this very noble duty.
 If it should be found that Minister Bryan is unable to obtain sufficient coal at Rio for the American ships col Hers will be sent down to the West h. rff arrN