The record-union., 1898-06-12
SACRAMENTO MORNINGS 12,

point just now in the movement of
troops, it is suggested here that some
time might be saved if the transports
start from Tampa Bay with the small
CONVOY already available. and arrange
to meet the additional and more power
full convoy from Sampsor's feet some
where in the neighbor hood OF the
Windward Channel. If anything at
all exists for the transports in the
shape of lurking Spanish gunboats. it
is not believed that there is an occa-
sion for apprehension N the waters
west of Cape Maysi, the eastern eX-
tremity of Cuba, and if this course
were made, fully thirty-six hours may
be saved in the time required for the
transports to reach Santiago.
The bulletin relative to Hobson's 8
feat, received at the Navy Department,
shows from the date that mail advices
have been received by the department
from the Admiral, but the officials have
nothing further to communicate than
the facts in this bulletin.
The arrival of the Monterey ut CorO-
nado Islands, two days out from Mare
Island, as reported in the press dis
patches from San Francisco, came as
a surprise to the Navy Department,
showing that the stop was not included
in the monitors itenerary. The loss of
eighty-five tons of coal by being
washed overheard is said by the Off
cials to be inconsequential, and not a
sufficient reason for the stop. The
collier Brutus, which is accompanying
the monitor, has on board 400 tons of
coal, enough to tow the Monterey
aroun dthe world, SO that it must have
been because of some slight accident
aboard ship that the Monterey went
into Coronado.
The great circle that the Captain Of
the Monterey has selected as the line
upon which he will proceed to the
Philippines, if started afresh from the
present location of the ship, would
bring the Monterey very close 20 the
be that she will stop there to coal N
some sheltered harbor, if it is found
desirable to do so. 1t is said, however,
by persons familiar with the present
disposition of the Administration, that
the plans do not contemplate the seiz-
ure of these islands by the Monterey,
nor yet of the island of Guajana, the
principal one of the Ladrone group, by
as was indicated in these dispatches
when she sailed from Mare Island,
touch at the Ladrone Islands en- route,
just as the Monterey may do in the case
of the Carolinas, but it is not the pres
ent intention to formally occupy any of
these islands. OF course, it is realized
that the development of other foreign
policy may in the end lead up to some
acquisition as necessary ports Of call
and coalipg stations on the long route
from San Francisco to Manila.
Secretary Long was at the Navy De-
partment to-day for the first time since
he was overtaken by lameneSs, about
ten days ago. For a man who has
suffered much physical pain, the Sec
retary looked remarkably we'll, and en-
tered with interest upon his duties, al
though he was unable to move about
actively. When asked what the de-
partment proposed to do in reference to
SIMPSONS graceful suggestion that
Hobson and his men be professionally
rewarded for their brave exploit in
sinking the Merrimac, the Secretary
said that he had already telegrapnei
Admiral Sampson to recommend for
mally to the department just what
measures of advancement he deemed
fitting. This is the usual course, the
Secretary not being as we'll prepared as
the commanding officer to judge of the
merits of the men and the difficulties
of their performances.
The naval orders to-day were for the
first time in a formal shape for ad-
vancing Dewey's Captains for their
conduct at the battle of Manila Bay.