Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1898-05-27
.CERvERA FENCED IN
schIey Has the Drop on
49,. the Spaniard.
NO WORD FROM SCOUTS
This Confirms the Opinion That the
Spanish Fleet IN iu the Santiago
Harbor. President Calls
CounciIof War.
(By Telegraph.)

w ASltlNGTON, May 26.-Secretary
Long said at the close OF office hours
today that no word had come from
any Of the scouting vessels so numer-
Gus in West Indian waters concerning
the Spanish flying squadron, therefore
he concluded that Cervera was still in
Santiago harbor.
1t is supposed that Schley is lying
outside watching the entrance to pre-
vent the egress of the Spanish vessels.
but while there Is evidence of a certain
kind on that fact. there has been no
official confirmation OF it.
This is a little remarkable in view
Of the fact that 1t is only Il days run
for one OF Schley's swift torpedo boats
from Santiago to cable port at Haytl.
There is also curious lack OF infor-
nation from the newspaper dispatch
boats on this point. 1t was supposed
that the censors might have exercised
from the dispatches OF the newspaper
men any reference to tho fleets. but
this would apply according to the
statement of the Navy Department
officials here. only to that part Of the
dispatches that might relate to the
whereabouts of the United States
forces and the censors would exclude
reference to the Spanish squadron.
Notwithstanding the officials profess
unshaken confidence In their original
belief that the Spanish squadron is Sc
curely bottled up In Santiago habor.
there Is no concealment by them of an
itense desire to secure some absolute
trustworthy information on that point.
1t is not to be doubted that with the
question still open the beginning of the
military operations are retarded, for as
long as there exists a possibility of the
Spanish naval force being at large,
there is an indlsposition to start the
troop transports for Cuba.
Probably 1t was the uncertain state
of affairs that induced the President
<n a "a White
House today between Secretaries AL
ger and General Miles and the members
of the naval war board, Admiral ST.
card, Captain Crowninshield and Cap
tain Mahan. AS stated by one Of the
members Of the conference, thstpurpose
was to go over the whole sftuation,
from the Philippines to Cuba and Porto
Rico. and decide just how far the
plans already laid should be modified to
meet existing conditions. This inyolv-
points as the propriety of the imme-
diate advance of the military forces
upon Cuba, the credibility OF the advi-
ces SO far had touching the location of
the Spanish squadron; the policy of
preceding the Cuban expedition. or
against Porto Rico, and finally the eN-
tent of the military assistance to be
sent to Admiral Dewey at Manila. AS
already indicated. the proceedings We're
Rather III inc HAIuTe OIL a consultation
than of a war council, where q fun de-
cision is demanded at once, SO that it
is not probab all of these important
questions We're disposed OF at the coun-
ell. None OF the members of the con-
ference felt authorized to tell what
had taken place, but there are thought
to be patent Indications or a decision
to embark military expeditions, wheth-
er for Cuba or Porto Rico can only be
conjectured in the course OF the next
few days.
There was a lack of news today from
Admiral Dewey and this convinced the
naval authorities that there could be
littel credence placed In the Madrid
report of an accident to the Baltimore.
In the rush Of military preparations
the War Department officials have
not been able to give much attention
to preparations of the regulations for
the procurement OF the $4,000 addition
al volunteers called for yesterday by
the President. 1t is still uncertain
just how far the national authorities
themselves nor Is it positively known
that Independent organizations, COM
panies. batttalions and regiments,
raised by individuals will be accepted
en- bloc. If any so doing the department
is required to accept the officers with
the men, indeed, 1t Is now questioned
whet her, under the law. the department
could If it would, accept services Of
officers undersuch conditions as the
governors Of the states appear to be the
only persons authorized to issue COM
missions below the regimental grade
There are many other vexatious ques-
tons to bet settled before tn resu-
lations can be promulgated but, for
tunately. in the judgment of the de-
partment officials due notice having
been given to the people Of desire for
more troops by the government there
is no occasion for haste in deciding
upon details in view Of the fact that
the full draft Of men called for under
the arst proclamation has not been
secured.
The department officials were en-
gagged today largely with the execution
Of a new law providing for the organl-
cation of certain independent forces,
with the result that it was able to an
ncuce regulations governing the exam
ination of applicants for commissions
in the engineer regiments and organl-
cation for the immune regiments.
An evidence of the growing interests
of European countries In the war was
the appearance at the state Depart
ment today OF Captain A. Wester
newly appointed military attache to the
came to the department with Minister
Grip for the purpose Of securing per,
mission to accompany the ohiteu
States military forces to Cuba.
ALGER AND MILES; CONFER.
WASHINGTON, May 26.-secretary
Alger and General Miles conferred to-
day with two officers from the star
Of General Garcia, General Enrique
CollaZo and Lieutenant Coionel ChaEies
Hernandez, who came direct from IaI
cia's headquarters bearing credentials
from him They accompanied Lieuten-
ant Rowan Of the United States army
on his return from Garcia's camp. ana
days' VOYAGE in nm open boat from the
north coast of Cuba until picked up
by small sloop which carried them
to Nassau They reported first to the
Cuban delegation here, and secretary
Ouesada was careful to keep their
presence secret until General Miles
had made the fact known. This re-
relieved them from further secrecy and
today General Calico and Colonel
Hernandez gave an interesting account
Hoparo1 Gorcta'9 forces and SIR