The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-05-04


sary. or for any defensive operations
made necessary from the landing of a
hostile force--a possibility acknowledged
by the officials to he very remote indeed
but yet one to be prepared for In the
event II should arise.
AdjutaLt General CorbIn had con-
ference with the president yesterday
concerning the. nominations OF major
generals and brigadier generate, IL
Is understood to have been decided 10
name General Shafter. who has been
designated TO lead the army OF invasion
into Cuba; General Fitzhugh Lee and
General Wheeler. of confederate cav
airy fame. as three Of the major gem
erals. II is regarded as probable that
the president may also nominate Gen
eral Woodford. former minister to Spain,
to be a major general. Concerning the
appointments of brigadIer generals, ii
is said 10 be the purpose OF the presi-
dent. so far as possible. TO take the can
didates from the ranks OF colonels1n the
regular army. This will disappoint
some OF the candidates for important
commands. The exceptions. IL any. are
made. win be In favor OF those states
which furnish one or more brigades OF
troops. In such cases. II is believed the
president will appoint as brigadier gen
erals officers recommended to him by
the governors OF the states from which
the troops come.
The British, French and German gov
ernments have consuls at Manila, but the
cable interruption cuts them off from
any communication with their govern
ment. Who has cut the cable is a source
OF much speculation. A leading diplo-
mat said circumstances would indicate
that the cutting had been done by the
Spanish officials. on Instructions from
Madrid. In order to stop the transmits
sion OF further news OF the disaster
there and In that way calm the storm OF
popular indignation in Madrid. 1t is
thought TO have been impossible for
Commodore Dewey TO have cut the cable.
as he was unacquainted with its location
so miles seaward. ard. moreover. there
appears TO have been no motive for an
interruption OF cable communication on
his part.
The proclamation directed against the
Spanish residents of the United States
by the state department has not yet
been issued. nor Is 1t certain that it
will be issued. that probability depend
ing upon the course pursued by the
Spanish government in its treatment
OF American citizens in Spain.
China has issued neutrality proc
lamation. so there Is now no place left
on the Asiatic coast open to the free use
OF the war vessels Of either Spain or the
United States. This is remarkable. I'm
that China has never before issued a
proclamation. and the naval officers are
grateful for the consideration shown by
the Chinese government Ia Withholding
the issue OF the decree until informed
that the Americans had acquired a base
in the Philippine islands.
Reports received at the navy depart
ment from the Miantonomoh show that
the monitor was roughly handled by
the storm while making her way south
10 Key West from League island Her
decks were swept and frequent delays
were caused by the e'disarrangement OF
some OF the ships structure. Through
out Ii all, however. the propellng ma
chinery worked splendidly.
The Cuban authorities here expect to
receive early information direct from the
camp OF General Gomez, brought by
Brigadier General Nunez, who left here
about 10 days ago and succeeded in land
ing with a party and making his way to
Gonez's camp. The party was a small
one and took along some supplies. but
its main purpose was to open communi-
cation with Gomez and bring word as
to his resources an0 readiness for an
aggressive movement. Officials OF the
Cuban delegation say General Nunez
is likely to come out TO one of the Amer
, ican warships on his return trip. and
thence to Key West to make reports to
the authorities here.