Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1898-05-02

n.
GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS BUSY
Departments at Washington Active as
.-. on Week Days.
(By Telegraph)
WASHINGTON, May Mo word
from Manila. This was the first renly
given in official circles today TO news.
gatherers, rejecting the immense in
near the Philippine islands. Secretary
Long arrived at the White Hous., short
ny before IL o'clock. He said he had re-
eelVed no news of importance from any
quarter up to that time There was
no slsnlneance in his call, as he came
secretary felt that press dispatches
would bring news of action in the Phil
lpplneS before the official dispa.tchas
could arrive. AS the President came
from the White House to take the
carnage he saluted the small party in
ing no news OF importance was con-
'eSeu to the White House
Inc active centerS at the State. War
ana Navy Departments were as busy
as on week days, despite the quiet
sunday calm without. which filed the
Secretary Moore and Assistant Score.
iaFS Auee We're together for some time
at the State Department An official
notification of neutrality had been re-
ceired from Siam. This was regarded
as important, in that it completed tha
neutral attitude of all eastern Asia.
save China. No word came from China.
50 that 1t is inferred her ports are sti,i
open TO the American fleet.
AT the Navy Department Assistant
secretary Roosevelt and most Of the
bureau officers were on hand 10 attand
70 matters OF pressing importance
Senator Davis, chairman of the Senate
committee on foreign relations, called
during the morning and had q talk with
Mr. roosevelt. The leading naval Of
ncialss took the view that no reliable in
formation was likely to be received a.
to operations in the Philippines for a
day or 50. and possibly for week
e tAtter talking with naval officials. SEN
ator Davis said he did not expect any
authsntlc information for a week.
Inc ilrst reports would necessarily come
from Spanish sources, ais they contrplItd
the cables. and the SENATOR had no
doubt the reports would be colored to
sho" a Spanish victory and correspond
ing American reverse. He Thought the
PUBIC should be prepared for this.
Inc actual raSlts, he believes. would nor
De known until a dispatch boat returned
TO Hong Kong. Which. being 600 miles
from Manila. would defer authentic in
atlon perhaps until the latter part
of the week.
The Navy Department received off,
clal confirmation OF the arrival Of the
ba ttleship Oregon at utio de Janeiro.
This was the subject of general salts
faction. for it means the very material
of Admiral Sampson's
fleet before Havana. within the next
fortnight. The Oregon has been making
thirteen knots. or about 800 miles a day,
and II Is calculated that she will come
the 5000 miles between Rio and Cuba
in ten days. She must COAL however,
before starting northward and this Will
take sev=naR days. Once with the
blockadlng fleet. Admiral SIMPSONS
tirst line will be made up of four SUI
pero batbleships of practically the same
strength and equipment
The new Sunboat Topeka, Just ar
rived at New York, is ready for service
with the exception of batteries. She had
been prepared for service, but the guns
were turned over to the War Depart
ment owing 10 the pressing needs 9th
CT guns are available, however, and the
Topeka will be in commission within a
few days.
Captain Richardson Glover will take
command OF THE gunboat Bancroft, at
tomorrow morning. The Bancroft then
VIII go to Cuba to Join Admiral Samp
sons fleet
Captain Mshan. the wen known naval
author and strategiSt, is expected daily
70 assume a place on the strategy board.
me strategy board was in session for
a time. but their discussions, as usual,
were guarded with much secrecy. Il Is
understood that the course OF THE Span
lSh fleet, which left Cape Verde on Fri
day, is source Of much interest. If,
as reported, the fleet is actually coming
h s IL xxy;II !,r
by the naval authorities here. What
they have most feared was that the
fleet would hug the other side,
compelling our fleets to go in quest Of
them. If they come to Porto Rico, it
will meet the best hopes Of the naval
authorities here.
Captain Rodgers, who has been a.
the head Of the auxiliary board buying
ships in New York. called at the de-
partment today. There is some talk
that he will be assigned to command
one of the American liners under char
ter, possibly the Paris. which has jus.
arrived after eluding Spanish ships
Secretary Ayers office was open, but
the secretary did not core down. The
officials were busy stemming the tide
of work which has accumulated dur
ing tine recent rush. Adjutant Genera
there was no army developments. his
purpose also being to get abreast OF
accumulated work.
The published report that the State
Department had notified the various
embassies and delegations in Washing
Ion that a land invasion OF CUBA would
begin ON Wednesday next, is pronounced
oy diplomats to be a canaru. No such
notice has been given.
REGULATIONS RELAXED.
Government Anxious to Secure Men