Evening star., 1898-04-01
Suppressed Excitement Among Gov
ernment officials.
IN TIE Big MILITARY BUILDING
Interest IN the Whereabouts Of the
Spanish FIotIIIa.
MANY UNAVAILING REGRETS

vi
the United States were under consideration.
served in a great degree to make the
White House a greater center of interest
than usual. In consequence there were
fewer callers at the State, War and Navy
Departments than has been the case for
some time. Still there were enough TO
keep the officials busy. and especially the
Secretaries up to the hour for departing for
suppressed excitement everywhere around
the big building in which the three great
departments of the government. which are
most concerned in the present emergency
are located This was augmented by the
receipt of telegrams and resulting hurried
conferences between the officials.
Center of Interest.
The State Department. perhaps, was a
greate- center Of interest thanthese of the
war and navy. as 1t was expected that some
statement would be made by the officials
giving the purport of Spain's answer to the
American proposition.
Secretary Shern an was early at his desk.
as was also Assistant Secretary Day, moi
however. before the latter had made a
hurried visit to the White House and had
few moments consultation with the Pres
Department few minutes before IL for
the cabinet meeting. Shortly before IL
O'Clock Assistant Secretary Day left the
State Department for the White House,
returning soon after.
In less than half an hour later, in re-
sponse to a telephone message, he again
time. Before Secretary Longs departure
ha nf
bureau chiefs and also Senator Hansbrougn
and Representative Handy. Secretary Al
ger gave an interview to Senator Proctor
and Representative Crump.
The increasing tendency of the officials
not to impart to the public news of the
prospective movements of ships and other
details of an impo rtant character, was
responsible for the apparent scarcity OF
news. 1t is felt by the officials that too
much publicity should not be given to
mary off these matters. as it might in
cases seriously interfere with the arrange
ments and intentions of the department.
The Spanish FlotiIla.
Probably no other matter is so engross-
ing the attention of the officials as the
prospective approach of the Spanish tor
pedo f1otilla which is now on its way from
the Canary Islands to Porto Rico, and some
news of the sighting of the ships compos-
ing the fleet is anxfously awaited by the
officials. Opinions differ somewhat as to
the time at which the flotilla should arrive
at Porto Rico, which is understood to be
its primary destination. The date Of their
arrival will depend very largely on the
condition of the weather encountered in the
passage across the Atiantic.s It is sug-
fnd In, 40
winds prevail at this time, which, If en-
countered by the fleet, will seriously I'M
pede it's passage. But if the conditions are
favorable in all respects. it is believed ut
the Navy Department that the arrival of
the fleet at Porto Rico may be expected
about the 4th or 9TH of the present month.
If. on the otker hand. bad weather has
been experienced, and the ships have been
put TO very severe usage by the elements.
there may be delay of some days before
reaching Porto Rico Considerable damage
may result to the ships in the course Of
their passage, and if this is the case it may
take several weeks to again put them :n
condition for se1vice.
Regret of Naval Officers.
Naval officers generally concede that
there is a decided element of danger in
the presence of a torpedo fleet near our
shores, and many of them regret that it
has been permitted to come SO far. Their
light draught and rapid speed makes them
especially dangerous, and it was suggested
today that they might be able, after leav-
ing Porto Rico. to run. unnoticed, into
Havana harbor, where they would be
material addition to Spain's naval strength.
Officials generally decline to say whether
any representations were made to Spain
with a view to delaying the departure of
the fleet. or whether any action has been
taken by our government. looking to its in
Perception while en- route, Even if sucn
steps had been taken, the officials say, to
make them public at this time would be a
very unwise step. as it would interfere with
any program the government had in hand.
Even should the government desire to in
tercept the vessels while on their way to
Porto Rico. it is said. 1t could not con-
sistently do SO in time of peace, as this
would be manifestiy an unfriendly act.
The naval officials are also watching
with much interest the movements of the
Spanish feet. which is now rendezvoused
at Cadiz This is composed of five ves-
sells, two Of which, the Cristobal Colon and
the Maria Teresa, left Carthagena the
other day. 1t was stated today that there
was no Information at hand respecting
these vessels further than that already
made public.
Views of the StrnteEical Board.
Secretary Long said this afternoon that
the visit Of the strategical board to the
White House this afternoon was for the
purpose Of getting the benefit OF their
views as TO the best course OF action to
pursue in case Of an actual outbreak of