The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-06-04
He Proved the Spanish Position to
Be Strongly Fortified.
SIGSBEE IS IN WASHINGTON.
The Navy Department Had TO Explain
Skips in Naval Promotions-Some
Were Jumped Further Than
Others-Court Of Inquiry
Into the Columbia-Fos-
Gala Collision.

WASHINGTON, June "a brief bulle-
tin telling of Commodore Schley's recon-
noisance at Santiago on Tuesday was all
the information the Navy Department had
TO contribute to the press to-day.
The bulletin went 10 confirm the press
dispatches which told of the firing on the
fortihcations at Santiago, but which have
been so steadfastly discredited ever since
the first report.
The great natural strength of the Span
ish position and the formidable character
of their batteries. as indicated by Com
modore schley. have confirmed the navy
officials in the belief that they have been
wise not 10 expect AIRY such reckless as
sault upon the place IN the absence OF
proper forces, as has been advocated In
soms quarters.
The problem would be simplihed were II
known that there are no mines III Inc
channel As il IS, the problem presented
has enlisted the active interest Oh army
engineers as well as the navy oincers'
1t is the duty OF the army
engineers in this country 20 lay just SUCH
Santiago harbor, and they are curious 20
see how their brothers in the navy pro
nose to 20 about the work OF destroying
them. ..-t.,
THE owners Of the Holland submarine
boat who had proposed TO 90 into S'Eu-
ago harbor and destroy the splnlsh war
sbips al so much a vessels, nave come
forward with a request lor "a piac lic''
test bv the naval clhcers OF .heW crdll.
Captain siesbee of the auxiliary cruiser
ST Paul. reported az the Navy bepdIl-
mont to-day and had a conference WIN
Acting Secretary Allen. Messrs' IhI"4
ana Jones. the two newspaper foTIeSPon-
dents imprisoned at Havana and reee1IF
exchanged Tor Spanish officers We're aiSo
at the Navy Department during the uay'
Acting Secretary Allen late TINS even
ing appointed q court OF inquiry TO Co.
anime into the collision on May %th' pc
tween the United States cruiser Columbia
and the British steamer Foscalia' OH flre
Island. which resulted in the loss Of the
iatter vessel. The court will consist OF
Commodore ". /. McCann, retired; cap
tain George W. Summer Commander e.
II. Sperry and Lieutenant Douglas Robin,
retired, as judge advocate. 1T VIII meet
at New York next Monday.
The Navy Department found it neces-
sary to-day 10 make an explanation of the
method II had employed of advancing on
the naval list the captains Of the vessels
engaged in the battle Of Manila. There
appeared to bee q great inconsistency In
the recommendation. Captain Wildes, OF
the Boston. for instance. going up only
i've numbers. while Commander Wood OF
the little Petrol jumped ten Admiral
Dewey himself went up only two num-
hers. The reason for this. according 10
the Department officials. is that a num-
of the higher grade is worth much more
than number in the lower grade. so
that what appears TO be an inequality is
in fact exact equality as near as calcu-
lation could make IT,
The advance of these officials on the
naval list has caused some very curious
"skips." such for instance. as I'm the
case of Captain Sigsbee Captain Crown
inshield and Captain O'Nen of the ord
nance Bureau who were an passed over.
NO OFFICIAL IMPORTATION.
WASHINGTON. June A--The Navy
Department. up to an early hour this
morning had received no additional ad-
vices from either Admiral Sampson or
Commodore Schley. 4Ae department Of
fcials have no information concerning
the engagement reported 10 have taken
place at santiago. Official advices arc
not expected before tomorrow.