The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1898-04-29
GENERAL sHAFTNER.

British, French. German and other for
eign steamships, 50 that the heavy
tonnage tax would be practically in
significant as against American steam
ships, while 1t would be very onerous
against foreign shipping. A transat-
lantic liner of 10000 tons, he said,
would pay at 20 cents per ton 50, 900
every time it entered an American port.
1t does not seem likely that official ac-
tiOn is possible, as the heavy tonnage
tax is considered a war expedient
which foreign shipping must bear so
long as they use American ports
The shelling of the Matanzas bat
teries was the topic of absorbing in
terest throughout naval and official
circles generally yesterday. 1t was
discussed on the basis of the press re-
ports from Key West, as the navy de-
partment received no information
whatever on the subject Secretary
Long said as he closed up his office
work Of the day that no report had
been received from Admiral Sampson,
nor was the navy department advised
in any way of the sheling OF Matanzas.
The secretary said that i'm the absence
of all official information he was in
clined to believe that the shelling was
confined to the exchange of a few shots
and did not assume the proportions of
a regular bOmbardment When his at
tention was directed to reports that the
shelling was the result of direct orders
from the president the secretary said
this was not so, as the president was
giving no direct orders on any of these
movements.
The $50, 900, 900 War Fund Exhausted
The navy department has completely
ceased its purchase of ships for CONVEX
sion into war vessels, owing to the eX-
hauston of the $4,000, 600 war fund. 1t
is confidently expected that congress
will come to the relief, as the depart
ment is still in need Of auxiliary ves-
sells
The news of the safe arrival at Liver
pool of the big American sailing ship
Shenandoah, reported captured by
Spain, was gladly received at the de-
partment. Consul Boyle, at Liverpool
forwarded the Information.
The board Of bureau chiefs met yes
terday TO begin the consideration Of the
plans for the three new batteships au-
thorized by the naval appropriation
bill, and progressed so far that cir
cuars were sent out today inviting bids
from the shiubuilders. The vessels viii
be in the main very similar to the bat.
tleship Illinois, now building at New.
port News.
Brigadier General William r. Shafter,
who commands the brigade of troops
at New Orleans, was at the war de-
partment yesterday, having been sum
moned to Washington for conference
with General Miles, the commander Of
the army. The officials of the war de-
partment decline TO say for what
specific purpose General Shafter came
to Washington, but rumor connects it
! with tie landing Of United States
! troops in Cuba so that food may be
! sent to the starving people in the ISL
| and
A striking sign OF the imminence Of
the invasion of Cuba was contained in
the chartering yesterday by the war
department of eight large steamers of
an average capacity Of about 1000 tons,
and able TO carry from 500 to 1900 pas
sengers each. These are to be used
| as transports for the conveyance of the
first military expedition to Cuba.
The president and cabinet will con-
slider today the large number of ap-
plications that have been made for ap-
pointment TO the posts of major gem
eral and brigadier general 1t is con-
fidently believed that Consul General
Lee, General Wheeler Of Alabama and
eX-Minister Stewart l.. Woodford will
be made major generals.
l The French embassy has received Q