The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-06-10
WHERE ARE THE TROOPS2
The Movements Are Kept Pro-
found Secret.
DANGER IN THE STRAITS
The Navy Department Declares That the
Suspicious Vessels Are Unarmed
Launches and No Menace to the
Transport OF Troops.

Washington. June 9-It became ap-
parent this afternoon that the war de-
partment, through the energetic offices
of the censor, has succeeded entirely in
its purpose to keep the movements of
the United States troops a secret. for
beyond question at the close of the day
IL was impossible to learn where the
United States troops are which had
been gathered under the command of
General Shafter in Florida.
Stories of the appearance of a mys-.
terious warship i'm cuban waters float
ed through the navy department dur
ing the day. The officers quickly con-
boats were Spanish they were nothing
more than some unarmed launches and
not to be feared by any number of
transports conveyed by such fine gun
boats as the Helena and the Bancroft.
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
boats. and the soldiers. knowing their
weakness i'm this respect. are loath to
undertake to cross the Florida straits
until these disagreeable visitors have
been removed from the pathway.
Without respect to the character of
the strange craft that are said TO be
lodging the blockaders at Havana.
they will be removed from the scene
of action i'm short notice. as 1t Is un-
I,rstnnA hapn
quainted with the situation, 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 al Santiago to
successful issue and still spare vessels
of any power desirable for use in the
Florida straits.
1t was pointed out to-day by naval
officer that the admiral, since the ar
rival OF the marfne oattarf6n on the
Panther, has at his disposal what he
may regard as sufficient force or men
to capture Santiago. even before the
troops arrive. The 500 marines on the
Panther, added to the marines already
with the fleet, would make a total of
about 1900 men. Without impairing the
efficiency of his ships, Admiral Samp-
son could spare 1000 blue jackets for
a landing party, and with this0total
who have been armed by the United
States government do ineir share. IL
seems possible for Sampson TO capture
Santiago at short notice. There seems
to be a very decided air of expectation
this afternoon among the officials who
are acquainted with the government
plan in the campaign that almost war
ranted a conclusion that an engage
ment of some kind was expected to-
day.
Steady progress Is being made upon
the ships under construction by the
government at the several navy yards.
as revealed by the monthly report from
the various yards to Chief Constructor
Hichborn. on the battleships the New
port News people are ahead. having the
Kearsarge and Kentucky 20 per cent
advanced toward completion and the
Illinois As per cent Cramp q Sons re-
port the Alabama 50 per cent along and
the Union Iron Works have progressed
IS per cent with the Wisconsin. Ten
torpedo boats are now actually under
construction and have been completed
to the following extent: The Rowan.
26 knotter. building at Moran Brothers,
Seattle. 9s.5 per cent; the Dahlgren, 30
knotter. building at the Bath Iron
Works. Bath, Me, % per cent; the Tam
Craven 30 knotter. Bath Iron Works.
Bath. Me. 30 per cent: the Farragut. 30
knotter. Union Iron Works, san Fran
cisco. so per cent; the Davis and the
Fox. 22.5 knotters, Wolf & Zewicker.
Portland. Ore. SIS and ~ per cent re-
spectively: the Mackenzie. 20 knotter.
Charles Hillman. Philadelphia. 80 per
cent: the Stringham. 30 knotter, Har-
land & Hollingsworth, Wilmington,
Del, 2s per cent: the Goldboro. 30 knot
ter, Wolf 4 Zewicker. Portland. Ore.
: per cent: the Bailey. 30 knotter. Gas
Engine and Power company, New Jer-
sey. 2li. per cent. The submarine boat
Plunger. building at the Columbian
Iron Works. Baltimore, similar in many
respects to the Holland. Is said TO be
~ per cent advanced.