The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-05-25
WASHINGTON RUMORS WILD
NAVY DEPARTMENT KEPT BUSY
MAKING DENIALS.


Ma information of the Capture of the
MangrOve or the Destruction OF
enc Soanfsh Fleet Received at the
Depnrtment--Spanis Fleet Be-
1ieved to BE at Santiago, and Ru-
uors of Her Departure Considered
Ruses-The Charleston COaIinS at
anvvaii May Result in Annexation
of the Islands.
Washington, May 24.-There was lapse
into sensational war rumors in Washing
ton to-day. after week of comparative
c,iat1de. The rumors ranged all the way
from the capture of the little Mangrove,
with a crew of thirteen men, to the re-
norted destruction Of the entire Spanish
fleet by sampson's and schley's combined
forces. They were circulated with per
sistence. Notwithstanding their denial as
soon as they could be brought to the at
tent;on of any official capable Of passing
Judgment on their accuracy.
AS the day rolled along the officials
themselves became apprehensive, as was
shown by the frequency with which they
called for the latest newspaper bulletins.
At the close of the day, however, it was
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 Windward passage.
This did not specifically cover the waters
of the West Indies, but in view of the fact
that the department has almost pledged
itself to let the public know Of anything
in the nature Of a general engagement,
possibly the bulletin announcement was
sufficient, to cover the case
When Secretary Long started for home
after an exceptionally busy day he stated
10 a group of newspaper men that the de-
partment had received no information of
Importance. In response to an inquiry as
to where the Spanish feet was located,
NIr. Long replied that his belief was that
it was stin at Santiago de Cuba. Con-
corning the reported capture of the Man
grove and the loss of other ships, the Sec
retary dismissed the stories as purely con-
jectural and not supported by facts. Word
has come from the commander of the
Mangrove since the time of the alleged
capture, showing that the ship could not
Nave been in the hands of the Spanish.
Mr.. Long paid handsome tribute to the
war board, and stated that there We're no
purpose whatever of changing the present
system whereby this board co-operales
with him in giving every possible assist
ance and advice, mainly in the way of
information, to the admirals in command.
The office of the war board the secre-
tary pointed out, was not to fight battles,
that was exclusively the province of the
squadron commanders. The board acted
merely in an advisory way, and at no time
had assumed executive functions.
The Spaniards appear to be making
ready for something more than a defen-
sive campaign at home, or at least they
are trying to create that impression by
other means than news bulletins that is
sue almost daily from Madrid The navy
department now has through Its own re-
liable sources reports of the greatest ac-
tivity il this Spanish navy yards and of
the preparatlons for sea for a long voyage
OF two Of the torpedo boat destroyers II
is given ont that they ar9 TO joir Cervera
immediately when his squadron enters Ca
diz harbor. Possibly this statement is
made with a deliberate purpose of mis-
leading American sailors into the belief
that Cervera has taken his way home
ward.
Inquiries as to the whereabouts of the
oregon brought a reply this afternoon to
the effect that the battleship was safe
Nothing could be learned of her location.
1t Is probable that the kilograms said to
have emanated from the vessel really
were filed at Key West, but were brought
70 that port on some dispatch boat from
the Oregon, which is cooperating with
our fleets
The Philippines expedition is now off in
dead earnest The sending of these ships
Will affect the Hawaiian questions Vtally.
Like the Charleston, the transports must
stop at Hawaii to replenish their coal
bunkers from the great heaps of coal that
Consul General Hayward has been piling
up Tor months past If the Hawaians let
us take this coal without the pretext that
we are using it to make our way to our
nearest home port, as is required by in
ternational law in such cases, they will
stand convicted of a breach of neutrality
that in the eyes of law of nations allies
them with the United States in hostility
to Spain The taking Of coal by the Amer
can ships at Hawaii 10 make an extern
save campagi against The Spanish pos
SESSIONS Il is believed here, will result in
compelling the United States either to as
sumo protectorate over. the islands or
TO annex them