The record-union., 1898-06-04
How to Destroy the Mines the Prob
lem Now to Be Solved.
The Report That the Second Cadiz File I
Has Crossed the Atlantic to Join Ger
vera Given Little Credence
at Washington.

bulletin telling OF COInInOuOTe ScHlSS
reconnaissance at Santiago on Tues
day was all the information that the
Navy Department had to contribute 70
the press to-day. This bulletin went
to confirm the press dispatches which
told of the firing on the Notifications
at Santiago. which have been so stead
fastly discredited ever since the first
report 1t appears from the bulletin
given out that Commodore Schley con-
centrated pretty good fire upon the
Spanish defenses, and it seems prob
able that had he found conditions more
propitious than they were he would
have resolved the reconnaissance into
an assault in force.
The great natural strength of the
Spanish position and the formidable
character of the batteries, as indicated
by Commodore Schley, have confirmed
the naval officials in the belief that
they have been wise not to direct any
such reckless assault upon the place.
in the absence of proper forces, as
has been advocated in some quarters.
The problem would be simplified were it
known that there were no mines in the
channel. AS it is, the problem pre-
sented has enlisted the active interest
of the army engineers as we'll as of the
navy officers here. 1t is the duty of
the army engineers in this country to
lay Just such mines as are supposed to
be in place in Santiago harbor, and
they are curious to see how their
brothers in the navy propose to go
about the work of destroying them.
1t remains to be seen how Sampson
is going to solve this problem, whether
by the use of the Vesuvius with her
dynamite projectiles, by the aid OF
divers or by recourse to the old method
of dragging for the mines with small
boats, as in cable-cutting operations.
The owners of the Holland submarine
torpedo boat who had proposed to go
into Santiago harbor and destroy the
Spanish warships at SO much vessel,
have come forward with a request for
a practical test by the naval officers
of their craft. The Navy Department
was obliged to decline to entertain the
Watering and was in violation of in
ternational law. The principal objec-
ton was that the boat could not be in
regular commission. and in command of
a naval officer Besides, they con-
tended that she had not been thor
oughly tested. Now the boats owners
propose that a naval officer Off
GERS be designated to go down in the
Holland. and that she be commissioned.
Notwithstanding the rather positive
statement coming from Jamaica to the
effect that the second Spanish fleet
from Cadiz had crossed the Atlantic,
and is about to join Cervera to-day
at Santiago. the officers Of the Navy
Department refuse to be frightened at
what they declare to be a bugaboo.
1t appears that the basis of their con-
fidence is a telegraphic report of as
late date as yesterday, declaring that
the Cadiz feet is still at Cadiz More
over they know that there are not as
many as sixteen ships in that fleet.
Captain Sigsbee of the auxiliary
cruiser ST Paul reported at the Navy
Department to-day, and had con-
ference with Acting Secretary Allen
Messrs Thrall and Jones the two
newspaper correspondents imprisoned
at Havana and recently exchanged for
Spanish officers, were also at the Navy
Department during the day.
Acting Secretary Allen late this af-
ternoon appointed court Of inquiry to
examine into the collision on May 18th
between the United States ship Colum-
bia and the British steamer Foscolia
off Fire Island, which resulted in the
loss of the latter vessel. The court will
consist of Commodore w. p. McCann
retired: Captain George w. Sumner
Commander c. II. Sperry and Lieuten-
ant Douglas Robinson, retired, as judge
advocate. 1t will meet at New York
next Monday.
The Navy Department found ii neces-
sary to-day to make an explanation of
the method it had employed of advanc-
ing on the list the Captains Of the ves-
sells engaged In the battle of Manila
There appeared to be great incoesist-
ency in the recommendation. Captain
Frank Wildes Of the Boston. for in