The San Francisco call., 1898-07-07


 son with what has gone before to-day was very quiet at the War and Navy departments. There were bulletins posted In the former department, but there were none of more recent date than yesterday and, so far from indi eating an impending battle, the general tendency of these bulletins was to show that no forward movement is in absolutely immediate contemplation. Deep concern is felt here at the de- privations and sufferings of our troops lying in trenches and field hospitals surrounding Santiago, and there is everywhere a disposition to insist that herafter haste shall be made slowly and that the equipment of our soldiers, their commissary and quartermasters' supplies, their ammunition and their hospital stores shall be complete in every respect before they advance further. This is likely to be the rule, even at the expense of time and in the face of the criticism of an element that has been vehemently insisting upon rushing the campaign without regard to cost in blood and money.
 Confidence is felt that there will be no friction between the army and navy commanders and that the conference between them will result in an agree ment on joint plan for the prosecu ton of the campaign In the event that this belief should not be well founded the President is prepared to act himself by orders from first hand. There is much of force in the naval argument that if Sampson is obliged to enter Santiago harbor before the forts are captured he will jeopardize the safety of the whole of the ironclad fleet under his command, since by the sinking of one of these ships in the narrow channel, through a Spanish mine or shell, the fleet would be left helpless and exposed to destruction under the guns of the forts, to which they could make no reply, owing to the elevation of the latter. On the other hand the army officers seem to be iusti- fled in avoiding the tremendous sacri- lice of life that would be involved in again trying our soldiers upon the Spanish defenses until they have been materially reinforced in numbers and strengthened by artillery.
 Sampson did not report to-day to the Navy Department, but the War De partment sent over a very agreeable message from Shafter announcing the readiness of the Spaniards to exchange Hobson and his men. It is believed that this was accomplished some time during the day, though notice of it has not yet been received.
 me Tact that several of the vessels selected for Watson's fleet were in the thick of the engagement of .Julv 2 promised to delay somewhat the de- parture of the Eastern squadron for the shores of Spain. The vessels have con- sumed good deal of coal and doubt less have expended a large quantity or their highest grade ammunition in the furious attack on the steel war ships of the Spaniards. It will be necessary to replenish these stores be- lore the long ocean voyage Is begun However, Secretary Long has given rush orders for the preparation of this squadron, and 1t certainly will be off in the course of a few days.
 The movements of the Cadiz fleet are very puzzling to our experts here. weakened as 1t is by the sending back of the torpedo-boat destroyers, the Spanish squadron bound for the Phil 1ppines seems destined to go to sure destruction, as did Cervera's unlucky ships when they headed westward from the Cape Verde Islands. The Spaniards are without doubt fully aware of the inferiority of their fleet. and why they persist in sending 1t to be sunk in the Philippines is mys- tery. The department was advised to- day that the squadron was passing through the Suez canal, and as the yes sels must have paid the heavy toll re- quired In advance, the indications are now regarded IS conclusive that the ships are actually bound for the Phil ippines. This belief stimulates the preparations here for Watson's sail ing. He will strike straight after Camara, who, in the end is doomed to be caught between Watson and Dewey.
 Secretary Long regarded the report that the Alfonso XIII had been de- stroyed while trying to run the Ha- vana blockade as the best news of the day. It had not come to him in any direct official way, but through a re- port from General Greedy chief signal officer, who had received a cipher mes sage, stating briefly that the Spanish ship had been overhauled near Mariel while trying to get through the block ade, and was a total loss as a result of the fire upon her. Both the Secre- tary and General Greedy regarded the report as authentic, but there was a desire to get more details, as this has been something of a spectral ship.
 The Alfonso XIII was an iron gum
 
 military mast; square rigged, 2S0 feet long, 43 feet beam and Is feet draught She had a displacement of 309O tons She had a speed of seventeen knots for short distances and an average speed of fourteen knots; carried eight cen large guns. five machine guns and five torpedo tubes. Her officers and crew numbered 370.
 Secretary Long is quite hopeful that several of the Spanish ships of the Cervera squadron can be saved. in part at least, and possibly as a whole Assistant Secretary Allen shares in this belief and thinks that the Cristobal Co., lon can be got off the rocks as an en- tirety, and that the hull, upperworks and guns can be made available. She was the best armored cruiser in the Spanish navy, and if she can be f1oated and repaired will make a valuable ac- quisition to the American navy. Allen is hopeful also that the Vizcaya and Oquendo can be saved in part. Infor- nation has reached the department that the hulls are not badly damaged The contract with the Merritt Wreck ing Company is by the day. and may be cancelled at any time if the Govern ment finds the salvage is not progress