The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-07-17
Will March Out
with HOnOrS OF War
The Surrender has been Definitely Settled; the Spanish Coors will be
Hauled Down To-day and the Stars and Stripes Hoisted-
The Generous Treatment Of Fallen Foe

ton has created new bureau to take
charge of that subject alone. This VIII
be known as the Bureau of Transporta-
ton. and will be directed by Colonel
Hecker, who has, in the short time he
has been at the War Department. proved
his executive abilities. His chief as
sistant will be Colonel Bird. of the
Quartermaster's Department which was
formerly charged with all matters re-
lating to transportation.
The appearance of General Brooke at
the War Department to-day gave token
of the purpose of the administration to
begin Immediately preparations for the
dispatch of a military expedition against
Porto Rico. The general made what is
regarded upon the whole as Il satisfac-
tory report as to the sanitary conditions
existing at Camp Thomas, and showed
that the troops were in Il condition now
to leave for Porto Rico if called upon.
1t is understood that two weeks time
will be required to assemble the trans
ports, get the troops and supplies aboard
mt one of the most available seaports,
which in this case is likely to be New
port News. owing to the successful out
come of the last expedition from that
port, and sail away for Porto Rico.
WILL TIGHTEN BLOCKADE.
Luckily for the navy. Sentiago has
capitulated just on the eve Of the hurri-
cane season in the West Indies The
big battleShips are able to go through
this weather with some discomfort. but
the smaller blockade boats will find the
task of continuing the blockade fraught
Ia,, -,et.
the intention at any cost to tighten the
lines of blockade, particularly at those
ports connected with Havana by rail-
The surrender of the eastern end of the
island to the United States will afford
some ports of refuge for our naval YES
sells in case of absolute need
Secretary Long has decided that Ad-
miral Cervera may secure Il parole, if
certain details can be arranged, and he
wishes to do so The admiral is expect
ed with his fellow officers and prisoners
at Annapolis tonight.
Commander Brownson, of the auxiliary
cruiser Yankee, was in conference with
Secretary Long to-day, arranging for
the trip of this ship with the large
cargo of ammunition for Commodore
Watson's squadron in its attack on the
coast of Spain. The Yankee is at Nor
folk. and will sail tomorrow for San
tiaao She will reach there about next
Tuesday, and the big stock of ammuni-
ton will then be placed aboard the bat
tleships and cruisers This transference
of powder and shells is delicate opera
ton requiring time, and it is probable
that the week will be well along before
this and the recoaling of the Yankee
will permit the squadron to actually get
under way for Spain.
WATSON STARTS SOON.
Owing to the important mission of
Commodore Watson's squadron, and its
possibility of long absence from TN
American port every magazine on the
ships will be full when the ships sail.
Admiral Sampson recently made requisi-
tion for the ammunition supplies, as
these had run low as IL result of the en-
gagement with Ceryera's squadron and
the frequent sheIling of Santiago. One
load already has been taken down on a
supply ship and the Yankee now fills
up the full quota. Each battleships will
have about 200 tons of powder, with 30
to 20 of the largest 12-inch, or 13-inch
shells, according to the size of the big
guns: 20 to 80 S-inch Shells 200 to 800
i
Of the shells for six Founders and other
medium sized guns, and 500 to 800
rounds for the small rapid fire guns.
The cruisers carry approximately the
| same allowance, without the shells for
| the 12-inch and 13-inch guns. Aside
from this equipment of shells. the squad
/, ron is well provided with solid armor
| piercing steel shot. There has been no
| piercing steel shot. There has been no
call for Il renewal of the supply of the
! armor-piercers. as Admiral Sampson s
| fleet seems to have used very few of
| them thus far, confning their work to
the big explosive shells. The latter, al
though not made for armor piercing, are
tested by the Navy Department to pass
through four inches of solid steel not
exploding until through the steel. They
have done such execution that Admiral
Sampson has reserved almost his entire
stock of armor picrcers.
The Navy Department will not set a
time for the departure of Commodore
Watson's squadron, but with the de-
livery of the Yankees supply of am
munition very few days will be lost be-
fore this formidable squadron will be
InI e.,