Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-04-28
Fleet Sails for Man1a-Cty VIII Be
Given 80 Minutes to Surrender.
Blockade Satisfactory to Naval Authorities, Who
Doubt Reported Spanish Moves.

III" purpose of affor1ing additional pro-
lection to north Atlantic ports.
AS To the report of the imminence Of
a naval battle off the Philippine islands
the naval authorities here seriously
doubt whether the Spanish fleet will
make a stand against the American
ships Their reason fur this belief Il
that the Spanish feet is very inferior
IN number and quality To- the American
force under Admiral Dewey.
The department officials. therefore.
are satisfied that the Spanish neet viii
not battle On the high seas With Ad-
! miral Dewey. hut Will remain in port u
4 secure the protection If the batteries
Of Manila. and are not expecting an
engagement for about two days With
out giving any explanation for setting
this time, the Department allows it to
be surmised that the estimate is based
! on its knowledge Of Admiral Dewcy's
| Whereabouts.
There is no certainty that there VII
Pc an engagement Al all III the immedi-
ate future, the main purpose of the
American expedition being to seize and
hold some suitable Spanish territory in
the Philippines as a base of operations
in Asiatic waters. 1t is possible that
this can be done without attacking the
other fleet al all, by sezing a suitable
port On some adjacent island, without
Qualifications, the sympathics of whose |
inhabitants are towards the Insurgents !
No word has come to the department |
UP to the close Of office hours Of the !
arrival Of the Nontserrat at Cenfue- /
Cos. The officials are inclined to be- |
ievc that if she has got into that port |
she did 50 before the blockade Of Glen
fuegos had begun.
The very fact that the Madrid OIL
Gals have rather ostentatiously de
clared that the Spanish feet has sail
ed to lombard the cities on the North |
American coast, is taken as a certain !
indication at the navy department of
the utter improhability Of such 4 move
mcnt. If this We're contemplated the
Spanish officials would be the very last
to make their purpose public.
The navy dcpai tmont as yet has
made no arrangements for the care of
prisoners taken by our Warships, but
the legal officers of the department
think they should be sent to the Bos-
ton naval prison.
Some Vexation was felt at the injury
sustained by the Gushing. 1t is said
that this is the first serious breakdown
she has suffered in the nine years of
her service. Luckily the department
will be able to replace her very shortly.
for President Malster Of the Columbian
Iron Works, called at the navy depart
ment, this afternoon. to announce that /
the torpedo boat Mckee. a 20 knotter,
would he ready for trial, tomorrow.
She will be sent at once to Norfolk to ,
iittF tii' HlIl7 ltQtHtS tl'thti eliiI
then will join the squadron.
In the war department there is 4
growing belief that the campaign prop :
cr in Cuba will nos be in full swing be ,
fore next fail, when the rainy season {
has ended The belief, however, has i
not prevented the officers whose duty T.
it is 70 get the troops together from
pushing their work with the greatest
energy Thus within l. hours after the I
HUI bin became a law, the department I
was able TO begin to send out circulars
the methods to be followed ]
in recruiting the regular army up to It's a
Continued on page ID fl