The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-05-06
THE ATLANTIC SQUADRON
z -
Sails in Search of the
Spanish Fleet.
TO TAKE PORTO RICO.

4 Sufficient Fleet OF Smaller Vessels
Left to blockade Cuban Porss-The
Troops at Tampa Remain Until AZ.
ter News. Of the Naval Engagement.
Active Drilling Among the Troops.
The Rush OF Cuban Volunteer TO
Join the Army Of Invasion.
Tampa Bay Hotel. Tampa Fla, May
At appear 10 be almost a settled de-
lief among army officers here that no
movement OF United States troops to-
ward Cuba will fake place until after
the meeting Of the Spanish fotilla with
the boats Of Rear Admiral SIMPSONS
squadron. which is now believed 70 he
inevitable. This may cause a delay OF
several days beyond the time believed
70 have been fxed upon, and Il is pos
sFble that nearly two weeks may elapse
| before the movement is actually under
way, as the Spanish fotilla is not ex-
pected to reach Porto Rico, its suppos-
| ed destination, inside of ten or twelve
days from the date Of its sailing. New
ertheless everything possible is being
done to put the United States troops
in readiness for immediate shipment.
Plans for division hospitals and the
allotment of surgeons were practically
completed today. The First infantry
n Of the regiments which will be
landed in Cuba, was put through the
emergency entrenchment drill, throw
ing Up entertainments with tin cups,
skillets, tin pans or W7haever was con-
! venient and long practice marches in
heavy marching order was given other
regiments.
RECRUITING CUBANS.
Preparations for the landing of a
large force of native CubanS at some
| point in Cuba within convenient reach
of General Gomez's army are being
pushed to a conclusion as fast as pos
sible. How large a fore there will be
is as yet uncertain.
The Cuban recruiting offices thai
| have been opened her are fairly over
whelmed with applications for enlist
ment and it is very probable that close
to 800 men will he armed and ready
for service under the ann of Gomez
before the end of the week. Most of
the CubanS who are now in the West
Tampa camp have already had ON
siderable military training. Their num-
Der is being constantly increased by
arrivals from New York, Jacksonville
and other recruiting points. Between
thirty and forty young Cubans arrived
here today from New York and will be
followed tomorrow by about $50 more
from there, all enlisted at the junta
headquarters.
Two or three United States naval Of
fcers, thoroughly familiAl Nth the Gu
ban coast, are nov in Tampa for the
porpose of eScorting the Cuban expe-
dition to Cuba and will remain with it
until the junction with Gomez's army
is effected. 1t is said to be the plan
to have one or more of the gunhoats of
the American fleet now in Cuban
waters meet the transport boats at
some point north of Key West and
protect them until the landing Is eff
fected.
ADMIRAL SIMPSONS FLEET
SAILS.
Key West, May 4.-1:4J a. m.-This
harbor is again empty. Rear Admiral
SIMPSONS fleet has sailed and the stu
alton is one of renewed expectancy.
There is a strong impression prevailing
that the news from the fleet will tell
of an important engagement Of the
same character as the Asiatic squad
l ron : N1dIllld NlClOIy. CAll CHcH Ho
interesting developments are expected
except POSSIBLY the bringing in OF new
prizes.
The exodus of naval men, after a
! brief return visit here, has been the
only incident of the dullest day since
hostilities opened. Where they have
gone is officially unannounced, but sur
mise is plentiful and varied. The fact
that the big battleships and monitors
coaled to the fullest capacity before
steaming away is to indicate a
plan occupying considerable time.
The Cuban blockade is still rigidly
kept by the smaller cruisers. under the
temporary command of Captain Con-
verse, of the Montgomery.
The only rivals here today were
the steamer Evalyn, from Newport
News, with a cargo of coal for the feet
and the revenue cutter Window, from
Hampton Roads.
In the harbor $50 marines, with their
officers, are still packed away on the
Panther, broiling in the tropical sun.
Only the officers have shore leave. The
Panther is to be sent north to be made
into an auxiliary cruiser.
According to Captain Little. OF the
fishing schooner Antonio y Pace. ZAP
! tured by the gunboat Newport a few
days ago: ava Is on the verge OF
famine. The soldiers are selling
whatever provisions are accessible. and
citizens are burying their food in yards
and cellars. IF 7 could have slipped
past the blockade says Captain Little
my fish would have brought their
weight in gold"
TO CAPTURE PORTO RICO.
London, May 5.-A dispatch to The
Daily Mail, from Key West sent 10y
way of Tampa in order to escape cen
sorship, asserts Of positive knowledge
that Rear Admiral SIMPSONS fleet
will steam at full speed to Porto Rico.
| either to destroy or to occupy h coal
ing station as a. naval base before the
Spanish squadron arrives and then put