New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-04-23
MARINES TO LAND FIRST,
A FORCE OF SIXTEEN HUNDRED TO GAIN
CONTROL OF MATANZAS.
ruw VESSELS FOR THE AUXILIARY FIEET-THE
DISPOSITION OF PRIZES AND THE DIvIs-
ION OF THE MONEY

Jon OF THE MONEY.
icy TELEGRAPH TO THE 7nIBuNEl
washington, April 22.-With the arriva, Of the
Panther at Key West with eight hundred ma
vines on board, under Lieutenant Colonel Hunt
inston the landing forces OF the Marine Corps
IN the squadron there will number over sixteen
hundred men. A battalion Of eight hundred
NOW with the squadron, has been placed under
command Of Major Robert l.. Meade. These
forces will be the first ashore IN Cuba. and will
probabiy be in control OF Matanzas before the
Army forces start from Tampa. The detach-
nent OF 50 many marines from shore duty has
left the navy yards practically unguarded and
recruits are being solicited to III the va
cancies as we'll to provide guards for the
four American liners and the four euxiliaries
purchased from the Morgan Line. The PAN
Their will stop az Hampton Roads. and IL is
expected that she will be accompa MED from that
point to Key West by one or more cruisers. the
Columbia and the Minneapolis perhaps being
selected for the purpose. The Panther Is wholly
unarTned and defenceless 1t having been neces-
sary TO hurry the marines South al once AS
soon as she completes her present duty as a
transport vessel by landing the battalion in
Cuba, she Will return North for armament and
.he auxiliary cruiser Resoute. which will be
fully fitted out in the mean time. is destined to
relieve her as marine guardship Of the Navy.
Captain A S. Barber until recently COM
handing the battle-ship oregon. and at present
old 10 Secretary Long. and the Naval mem Der
o. the War and Strategy Boards has been
chosen TO command the protected cruiser New
ark The Newark is almost ready at Norfolk
and will go into commission next week proceed
ing at once to Join the Gulf blockading squad
ron
The Auxiliary Board in New-York was d.
rected to-day to secure large steam vessel to
be used AS naval store and supply ship. to he
under the direction OF Paymaster- General Stew
art who will her 70 transport; food and
supplies to the Culf squadron and 10 such
naval forces as may be landed on Cuban soil
Negotiations were finally concluded to-day for
the Menemsha, which is TO he used as a dis
t.lIery ship to furnish potable water 70 Cap
tain SIMPSONS fleet. Her hold VIII he largely
taken up with fresh water tanks and distl,nc
apparatus. in addition to which she will carry
large quantities OF coal 10 supply fuel to the
warships in an emergency
The reported capture OF a Spanish merchant.
man has already led to numerous inquiries as
10 the disposition OF prize vessels II appears
from examination OF the statutes made in
the Treasury Department to-day that one-hat
OF the value OF the prize Will go TO the Govern
nent. and Of the other half one-twentieth part
Will 60 10 the commanding officer OF the feet:
the captain will receive one-hundreGth. and the
balance OF this half will so 10 the officers and
crew making the capture. Division among the
officers and crew after the commander receives
one-tenth Of the total. Will be made 10 all on
board according TO the rate OF their pay. Naval
vessels within signal distance at the time the
capture Is made also entitled to share
Of the prize After the captured vessel and her
sold proceeds
the Treasury and dsbursed 70 the officers and
crew.