Evening star., 1898-05-10

know the approximate locality of the fleet.
it is quite certain that nothing definite has
been received thu; far to the cruising
and search for the Spanish ships. it was
felt that the next few hours would deter
mire beyond further question whether the
Spanish fleet, which left the Cape Verde
Islands, did i'll fact come to Porto Rico, or
diverge northward back to Cadiz for a for
niidable concentration of the strongest
ships of the Spanish navy. In the latter
event Admiral Sampson will have no Span
ish fleet to fight at present, save those
small craft in Cuban waters. 1t will leave
the course free to the Oregon to make a
juncture with the fleet. and will also leave
Admiral SIMPSONS hands free for atten-
ton to Porto Rico or Cuba.
Secretary Long said to q Star reporter at
o'clock this afternoon that he had not
received a word from Admiral Sampson
today. and that he had no news whatever
to tell.
Callers on Secretary Long.
Secretaries Long and Alger had a large
number of callers before they went to the
cabinet meeting. General Woodford, our
late minister at Madrid, spent some time
with Mr.. Long. Afterward he was asked
to break the strict reticence he has main
tained by giving his views of Commodore
Dewey's achievement at Manila, to which
h replied:
THAT would be gliding refined gold"
A party of prominent New Workers.. in-
clUdlng o. II. P. Belmont, Schuyler Cros-
By and Charles A. Moore, had talk with
Mr.. Long for the purpose, it was under
stood, of making a gift of considerable I'M
portance to the government. 1t will prob
a no in 40 han of art
whether a yacht o. larger craft was not
disclosed. Other callers included Senators
Tillman and McLaurin of South Carolina,
Perkins of California. Bacon of Georgia
and Representatives Adams of Pennsylva-
ria and Mccall of Massachusetts. The
South Carolina senators offered the serv-
ices of a number of expert electricians
now students at Clemson College, Ander-
son county, S. c..
To Command the Buffalo.
Commander Joseph N. Hemphill, who has
recently rendered such excellent service
in the bureau of navigation, Navy Depart
ment, in the recruitment of the navy, Is
to be rewarded for his efforts by being
placed in command of the dynamite cruiser
Buffalo. formerly the Nictheroy. pur-
chased from the Brazilian government and
now on her way to Norfolk She left Rio
de Janeiro shortly after the departure of
the battle ship Oregon and the gunboat
Marietta. AMI owing to her superior speed
will probably arrive at her destination be-
fore either of the others reach American
waters. Commander Hemphill has been
ordered to hold himself in readiness to
command the Buffalo. and will be prepared
to join her on her arrival at Norfolk later
in the month. 1t is said that other officers
on duty in the bureau of navigation have
success.
Mr.. ROOsevelts Farewell.
Mr.. Roosevelt said farewell today to the
officers and clerks of the Navy Depart
ment- 1t is safe to say that not one of
| the employees, from the highest to tine low
est, declined the invitation which was sent
around to all the bureaus to call at the
assistant secretary's office and say good
| bye to Mr.. Roosevelt. There were many
expressions of regret at his departure. and
| the whole affair was lacking in that per-
functory character which so often attaches
to ceremonies Of the kind. Some of the
| employees of the department united in pre-
| senting to Mr.. Roosevelt a very handsome
| silver-mounted cavalry saber which he dis
played with pride upon his desk to all Of
| his callers. The new lieutenant colonel ex-
poets to leave Washington for San Antonio
upon telegraphic advices from Col. Wood
commanding the regiment. which are ex-
/ pected within day or two at the latest
Wreckers Paid $4,000.
The Navy Department has just closed
| the accounts of the contractors for wreck