The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-06-03
SAMPSON AT SANTIAGO
MAY NOT WAIT FOR TROOPS TO
Make ATTACK.
SPAIN IS FEELING FOR PEACE
Senor Castillo will Ask the Powers to Inter-
vene--Spain Protests Against the Ship
ping of Coal TO San Francisco
from British America.

Washington, d. c., June 2.-It was
plainly noticeable at the Navy Depart
ment. that the officials were expecting
news Of Importance, but that they did
not look for it Immediately. The firm
ness with which they have insisted that
Schley could have had no general en-
gagement with the Spanish ships and
forts at Santiago as was reported, ap
reared to he based on u full knowledge
of the plans under which the commodore
is acting. and the greatest concession
they would make toward admitting that
fight had taken place Tuesday was
to say that possibly Schley had detected
some earthworks going up and had raz-
ed them with Ills shells. They were con-
tidont he made no attempt to enter the
harbor 1t is believed now, however.
with Sampson in the field aud command
at Santiago, with an augmented force,
interesting events may be looked
for These are expected. too, knowing
the fact that no troops have yet started
from Tampa, as was established by IN
quiry at the War Department this after
noon. The insurgents are known to be
i'm force in the neighborh0od of Santiago
and through Captain DOrst, the war de
partment not only has been in cOmmuni-
cation with them, but has supplied them
fully with good weapons and an abund-
ance OF ammunition. The headquarters
of the best of the Cuban generals, Gar
cia, are distant from Santiago only -
miles, so that it is possible Sampson
feels strong enough with their support to
begin the assault by sea upon the DOOM
cd Spanish feet and forts without wait
ing for the arrival Of United States
troops from Tampa. The trend of the
news that came to Washington from un-
Official sources during the afternoon all
went to support this belief, so there is
some ground for the expectation of Of
ficials that important information may
be received shortly.
The Spanish government has made n
protest to the British authorities against
the shipping of coal from British Amer
lea to San Francisco for the use of
American warships.
1t is understood that Spain's protest
has not proved of avail. The subject was
referred 10 the Canadian authorities
who, upon investigation learned that the
coal shipments both from British North
america aud from Nova Scotia were IN
the ordinary course Of commercial trans
action. They were made by private par
ties in Canada to private parties in the
United States. Whether the coal sub
sequently passed into the hands of the
United States government for use by
the American navy was held to be out
side Of the province of the British and
Canadian authorities.
The Queen Regent Of Spain has in
structed Senior Castillo to ask the pow
ers to intervene for peace. That move
ment has not taken any course in any
form in Washington either at
the State Department or at any
Of the foreign embassies. Among
diplomatic persons it is thought
to be quite possible that Spain is feeling
her way toward securing peace but it
is not believed this will be of any active
assistance from the great powers. 1t is
known that Spain has counted most on
arousing the active interest of France,
hut ii has been unsuccessful.