Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-05-27

were louHu PROVING around one OF
the batteries at Key West with box
containing dynamite. When a ser
geant tried to arrest them they fired
on him.
A rumor was current in New York
today that Cervera's fleet has left
Santiago de Cuba.
Gen. Brooke told Col. Harries
that the District volunteers would
probably go to the Philippines.
Probably the calling of the conference at
the White House yesterday has led to the
revival Of the runner of an immediate
movement upon Cuba, as well as upon the
Philippines 1t may be stated however,
upon the best authority, that aside from
the Philippine movement. which has been
already determined upon and even in
itiated. it has not yet been finally decided
when to begin the Cuban invasion and as
far as Porto Rico is concerned, whether to
attempt an occupation of the island al all
or not. In other words. the plans are in a
tentative state, subject to alterations any
moment, just conditions develop
There was revival this morning of the
almost daily rumor that Gen. Miles was
about to depart on his trip to Tampa,
which Is. of course, construed to mean the
direct beginning of the invasion of Cuba.
As a matter of fact. there is just as much
foundation for this statement today as
during any day in the past week The
commanding general has had a special car
ready for himself and staff lying In the
Pennsylvania station in this city ready to
start at a moments notice for Tampa He
has been anxious to depart himself for
many days past. and has been restrained
Only because conditions were not ripe for
the movement. When that moment ar
rives a start will be made, but whether
that will be tonight or a week hence is
absolutely not now known even to Gen.
Niles himself.
No Report From the West Indies.
When Secretary Long started for the
cabinet meeting this morning he was with
out any more iDforma tion than he had yes
terday morning as to the movements of
the fleets in the West Indies. Notwith-
standing the repeated statements, which,
of course, will come true in the end If per-
sisted in. to the effect that he has been In
communication with Commodore SchIey OFF
Santiago, the Secretary stated that he had
not received any message from Commodore
SChley since his brief report made several
days ago from another point in Cuba.
Therefore the department is in exactly The
position it has occupied for the last few
days so far as its knowledge of the fleets
goes. 1t has heard through unofficial. and.
II Is hoped reliable, sources that the Span
tsh fleet is in Santiago harbor and that
Scbley is lying in wait outside. But it has
SffN S,fkf,.
so that the statement cannot be said to be
beyond question The department having
waited so lcrg as dignity seemed to require
for news directly from the squadron. has.
II is believed, now taken steps to secure IL
through its own inquiries, and consequently
IL may be expected at any moment that
some OF the dispatch boats or scouting yes-
seIs VIII bring news Of the squadron to Jne
OF the cable stations, probably in Hayti
Tor transmission to the Navy Department
European Mediation.
Another rumor which was revived this
morning with some degree of plausibiIity
related 10 certain attempts on the, part of
representatives of European powers TO Sc
cure peace through direct Representations
TO the United States government Like the
other rumor. this meets with an absolute
and unqualified denial at the State Denart
ment. and. so far as known. neither in
Europe, through the United States repre-
tentatives. nor in Washington has our
government bsen approached on this SUBJ
3ect. The frequent repetition of this story
is believed by the officials to be perhaps I'm
the execution OF a policy of inquiry, with
a view TO sounding public sentiment In
this country as to the terms of peace that
would probably be acceptable. The con-
ditions mentioned in these stores-the re-
tention by Spain OF the Philippines and
Porto Rico in return for the release of
Cu5a-represent the very minimum offer
that might be e1pected from the Spanish
side, but as Eocst peace treaties are In the
nature of compromise bargains. II carnot.
OF course. be supposed that that is the
maximum price Spain expects to pay for
her Indulgence In losing war.
To Supplement- the Mosquito Fleet.
The Navy Department Is making read,
for the purchase of a number Of small steam