Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1898-05-25
STILL IN THE DARK.
Government Keep the Public in
Ignorance of Happenings in
Southern Waters.

Washington, D. c., May 23.-The navy
department has settled down to quietly
wait for definite results in the naval pro-
gramme in West Indian waters. Every
inquiry is directed toward the location of
the respective squadrons and the chances
of an early conflict.
But the sum total of the official advices
throws little or no light on the time
when a battle may occur. 1t is said by
those best acquainted with the situation
that the decisive fight may occur within
the next few hours, or may not occur for
several days, possibly weeks.
At the same time the authorities be-
heve that the chances are greatly lessened
by Admiral Ceryera's prolOnging his elu-
sive plan for any considerable length of
time. There are several reasons for this,
but the main one is that the Spanish ships
have made inroads on their coal supply.
The run across from Cape de Verde used
up the greater part, If not all of this
supply Since then stops have been made
at Martinique, Curacao and Santiago,
but at no one of these places has 1t been
possible to take on more than enough coal
for temporary uses.
Washington, y. c., May 23.-Monday
morning at the war department witnessed
revival Of the ceaseless activity which
has characterized the military branch of
the government for two months past.
Sunday was a rest day for many of
the officials in name only, for they took
advantage of the absence of visitors to
catch up with the vast amount of routine
work which in many cases had to be tenn
pOrarily pushed aside for more important
matters during the week days.
During this morning there was an end
less number Of callers at the offices of
Secretary Alger, Assistant Secretary
Meiklejohn and Gen. COrbin's office, made
up largely of senators and representa-
tives and applicants for appointments in
the volunteer branch of the army.
PaymaSter-General Stanton has select
ed an official corps of paymasters for duty
with the Philippine expedition. Three of
these officers will go to Manila. They are
Well-tried officers who have been in the
service for Il long time. Their names are
Maj. Charles H. Whipple of Minnesota,
son of Bishop Whipple, and Charles E.
kllbOurne. An adequate amount of cash
to pay the soldiers for three months will
be made entirely of gold and silver. The
bank of California, located at San Fran
cisco, has offered to the government to be-
come its agent at the city Of Manila, but
inasmuch as Manila is not yet in our
actual possession, nothing has been done
in the matter.
The designation of some relia BILE finan-
cal concern as the fiscal agent Of the
United States in the Philippines no doubt
will be made, as this is regarded as alb
SOlutely essential to avoid the actual
transfer of large amounts of cash. Some
body has suggested that the government
purchase large consignment of MeXi-
can silver dollars. two Of which can be
bought by one United States dollar, and
that the troops at Manila be paid in these
coins. The Mexican government will
purchase considerably more in Manila
than the American coin of similar de-
nomination, and thus the soldiers for the
time being would derive a greater appar-
ent amount of compensation than if paid
in United States silver.
The government however, is not dis
posed to pay the men in deprecated coin,
for when the soldiers returned, the Next
can dollars they might have saved would
be CT less value by half than a similar
number of American silver dollars. The
proposition was never taken seriously, but
is suggested simply to show the varied
number Of propositions which the officials
Of the government are constantly receiving
during these times.