Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-05-25


vas a lapse into sensational war
minors in Washington to-day, after
week of comparative quietude.
The rumors ranged all the way
from the capture of the little
N9ngroye with the crew of thir-
zen men. to the reported destruc-
ZION of the entire Spanish fleet by
SIMPSONS and Schley's combined
forces.
They were circulated with per-
sistence. Notwithstanding their
denial as soon as they could be
brought to the attention of anv
official capable of passing judg-
ment on their accuracy.
As the day rolled along the
officials themselves became appre-
bensiye, as was shown by the
frequency with which they called
Tor the latest newspaper bulletins.
At the close Of the day, how
ever. it was again announced in
the most positive manner that the
Navy Department had no informa-
ton to warrant the report OF any
sort Of engagement in the Wind
ward Passage. This did not spe-
cifcally cover the waters of the
West Indies, but in view of the
fact that the department has al
most pledged itself to let the pub
lie know of anything in The nature
Of a general engagement, possibly
the bulletin announcement is suf-
fcient to cover the case.
When Secretary Long started for
home after an exceptionally busy
day, lie stated 70 a group of news
paper men that the department
had received no information of
Importance In response to an in
curry as to where the Spanish feet
was located, Mr.. Long replied that
his belief was that it was still at
Santiago de Cuba.
Concerning the reported capture
of the Mangrove and the loss Of
ether ships, the Secretary dis
missed these stories as purely con-
jectural and not supported by
facts. Word had come from the
commander of the Mangrove since
the time of the alleged capture,
showing that the ship could not
have been in the hands Of the
Spanish.
Mr.. Long paid a handsome tri-
butte to the War Board and stated
that there was no purpose what
ever of changing the present sys-
TEN whereby this board co-operates
with him in giving every possible
assistance and advice, mainly in
the way of information, to the
Admirals in command. The office
If the War Board, the Secretary
pointed out was not to fight bat
ties; that was exclusively ire
province of the squadron COM
manders. The board acted merely
in an advisory way and at no time
had assumed executive functions.
The Spaniards appear to be maxi
ing ready for something more than
a defensive campaign at home, or
at least they are trying to create
the impression by other means
than news bulletins that issue al
most daily from Madrid.
The Navy Department now has
earned through reliable sources OF
tae greatest activity in the Spanish
navy yards, and Of the preparation
loF sea and for a long voyage OF
TWO OF the torpedo boat destroyers.
II Is given out that they are to join
NeIyera Immediately when his
squadron enters Cadiz harbor.
FoSslbly this statement is made
VIII deliberate purpose of mis-
tadlng American sailors into the
Oellef that Cervera has taken his
way homeward.
inquiries as to the whereabouts
VI lAe Oregon brought a reply this
aI'efnoon to the effect that the bat
DeSAlp was safe. Nothing could be
earned of her location. 1t is prob
'0ie mat kilograms said to have
emanated from the vessel were
H'7l al Key West but were brought
'nal port on some dispatch boat
"oM the Oregon. which is cooper
'ung with our fleets.
The cutting of the cables at San
so ana at San Juan de Porto
In" as reported to-day, was
'N'ary move Of the first import
a4Ve' Blanco has not one link of
a"lmunication with the outer
''0' Dut the Spanish commander
'ah Juan now finds himself to-
III the dark as to conditions
spain Or in Cuba, while the
,o, as OF that port as a place of
'''use for the Spanish flying SQUAD