Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-06-17
no NEWSYET AWHILE
VERY Important News Expected Soon,
Though.
GENERAL SnAFTER'S LANDING
SAMPSON Will Probably Have Cable Over
Which 10 Report II Promptly,
EORE TROOPS 10 BE MOVED.
Concentration, Probably al Pernandina,
Is Soon as Equipment Status Permits.
rRoMoTIoN ron HoBso
u,s wishes in the Matter, nv Re-
cards Choice Between Line and
stan. VIII he Consuitcd-New Gum
urerch for the Massachusetts.

WASHINGTON. June 16.-Ip the way
~ actual events there was little TO record
to-day; no word came from Sampson al
santiago. or from Dewey at Manila. This
.rssrce OF affirmative news from the re-
..eetive seats OF war gave rise TO no APP
--.h5nsion. however. The officials are
r.stine secure IN the belief that the ma
,.rss nj Guantanamo can easily maintain
themselves until the troops arrive. and
..- worst that can be feared at Manila
.. NOT harm 10 Dewey, but TO the Span
tards in the city.
The officials Of the War Department
s- not care 10 give out any specific in
formation as TO when General Shatter
with his troops will laud in Cuba, but from
certain signs OF restlessness exhibited by
frrm it is evident that they would not
p. surprised 10 have some very important
news within the next twenty-four or
tbir,v-six hours The naval officials are
confident that sampson will have estab-
lsHed cable connection within that time
SD that news Of the arrival of the Ameri-
r.r troop transports off Santiago should
rst be longer delayed than the time re-
rl.red for a dispatch-boat to make the
rir of forty miles eastward along the
coast 20 the shores Of Guantanamo har-
rar. where the cable will be working
under the protection Of Colonel Hunt
iuEtons marines.
ANOTHER TROOP MOVEMENT
There was an exhibition Of feverish ac-
1iyity at the War Department to-day ESQ
pronounced as 10 attract attention, even
IN these stirring times. It was appa-
~rrt that renewed efforts were making
t8 complete the equipment Of the troops
already gathered at the concentrates
points. and that preparations are in pro-
crfss TO move a number of troops. So
far. however. IT is stated that no orders
have gone out for the actual movement
and that what has been and is being
done In that direction Is merely prepara-
tory. Very likely definite action will
follow a conference which Secretary Alger
and the President win have with General
Miles. VINO is expected 10 arrive here to-
morrow from Tampa. The General Is
retver aware Of the exact state or htnesS
of the troops at the southern rendezvous
,,oipts than any one else, and the Presi-
dent and Secretary Alger, in all prooa-
niitv. will be bound by what he mas 70
say IN deciding upon the further dispo-
siHon Of troops.
- General Miles, as is thought to be
uroa,sbie. recommends a further concen-
tration Of troops on the southern sea-
board. the new camp at Fernandina' Fla
,guu he made ready for the reception OF
the additional troops. The officials have
bsen forehanded as to this camp, profit
inc bv the experience gained in the es-
enlistment of the two great camps at
r,nicksmauga and Camp Alger.
PROMOTION FOR HoBsoN.
The president has not yet decided what
measure Of reward shall be meted out to
Lieutenant Hobson for his brave achieve
yoart. The men ne led have been taken
care of: Secretary Long attended TO that
himself because it was matter enureiy
within his authority; and they have been
made warrant officers, the ideal Oh
sailors ambition. HoDson is to be ad-
,s,cs5. that is settled. The Department
called upon Sampson for a recommenda-
ton in this case. but in advance oil us
arrival had about decided TO advance
Hobson ten numbers, which would nave
rlsr.d him lust below Constructor Lin
Tsr5 when a doubt arose as to whether
the Young man would not prefer a trans
FER ~ the line. His relatives were con-
shifted among them his uncle, Represeh-
tstye Pearson. Of North Carolina, and II
WAS decided TO allow Hobson TO make his
choice as between the line and the stan
stems accordingly, have been taken 10
seouaint him with the Departments pur-
rose. and ask his pleasure in the matter
GI,% BREECH FOR MASSACHUSETTS,.
The Navy Department has sent to the
b-ttIeshiD Massachusetts complete new
b-each mechanism for one Of the lS-lnch
Guns Of that ship. This was due 10 d
report reaching the department about
week ago that the breech Of one OF the
guns was out Of order The new me-
c6auieo will be delivered IN "a day OF
TWO. and can be readily substituted Tor
the old breech.
The condition of this l3-lnch gun gave
rise 10 rumors to-day that the MasSd-
cbusetts had suffered rather severely dur
Ink the arst action of Santiago. and mat
TWO of the biz guns were disabled and
.-luper had been killed. There was no
basis for the rumor beyond the disordeTed
tTeech mechanism referred TO.