The herald., 1898-05-21
If Imf REPORT IS TRUE
x1z SQUADRON Is SAFE FoR A
WHILE
PLANS OF FTHENEwwAR BOARD
~ Host Carefully Concealed From
the Public and Sampson Has Not
Been Heard From

tA0 3 WVxxS A00 sun R8VA kk00 ~ W
Been Heard From
Associated Press Special Wire
WASHINGTON, May 0.-All of the news
that was given out today at the navy de-
partment was comprised in the one short
bulletin posted at the close of the day.
stating that the department had informa-
tion believed to be correct that Admiral
Cervera. with his flying squadron, was at
Santiago de Cuba. This went to confirm
the Newspaper reports and also the Mad
rid cablegram published this morning. the
latter rather unusual circumstance, for
the Spanish bulletins have been notably
deceptive ever since the flying squadron
left Cadix. Accepting this statement as
correct, it indicates that there is little
probability of hostile meeting between
Sampson and Schiey and Admiral Cervera
Immediately. Looking over the charts Of
Santiago harbor, the war department soon
discovered that the place would be a verit-
able rat trap for the Spaniards, with its
marrow entrance, in which a single Amer
lean monitor could blow up the whole
Spanish fleet.
Barker Retires
The naval strategy board. rechristened Of
late the war board, is to lose one of its
most active and valuable members in the
person of Capt. Barker. He leaves Wash
ington tomorrow for Hampton roads 20
take command of the fine protected cruss-
er Newark, which has just been extensive
ly repaired at the Norfolk navy yard. 1t
IL expected that the Newark will Join
Sampsop's squadron in the West indies as
soon as she can get there. 1t has not been
determined who will succeed Capt. Barker
as member Of the board, a place requiring
the very highest professional qualifications
and involving knowledge Of strategy, rs
taught scientifically, which is not the pos
session Of all naval officers. 1t may be that
the vacancy may not be filled at present,
although there is favorable mention CT
the name Of Admiral Ramsay, retired, in.
that connection.
Gibbon Goes, Too
Another loss to the department will oc-
cur tomorrow when Lieut. Gibbon leaves
to serve as one OF Capt. Barker's officers
on the Newark. This young officer has
displayed the greatest energy in securing
for the services of the navy the various
naval militia organizations of the states.
and, as an incident to that work, he was
obliged to put forth his best efforts to Sc
cure the formation of new organizations
where none existed and additional battal-
ions in states that already possessed a
naval militia. The great value Of his work
ls shown by the fact that many Of the ves-
sells of the auxiliary navy and most Of
the old monitors that have been commits
stoned for coast defense purposes are
manned almost altogether by the naval
militiamen.
Dewey's Relief
Preparations go on steadily for the Phil
ippines military expedition. Gen. Merritt.
who will command, stopped in Washing
ton this morning, on his way westward
from New York, and spent most Of the day
In consultation with the officials of the
department, arranging the details of the
expedition.
Another transport was secured today,
and the department is showing q disposi-
tion to treat Gen. Merritt with the utmost
liberality in the equipment of his force. It
is expected that the advance guard on one
vessel. under the command of Gen. Otis,
will sail out Of the Golden Gate tomorrow.
bound for the Philippines.
Shoeless Soldiers
The complaint Of the shoeless among the
volunteers just brought into the army will
soon be silenced. as the war department
has just placed orders for 100000 pairs of
soldiers shoes.
A beginning was made today toward the
tho 1f I'D
forces under authority conferred on the
president by special resolution. The ma
tional guard will have no part in these
organizations, which will be made up OF
engineers. immunes and electricians.
The STAFF regiments are coming out rap
idly in the general orders issued daily by
the department. the appointments being
made generally upon the request of the
major generals and the brigadier generals
vet to be provided for in this matter.
The state department today announced
that the Polaria, the Hamburg american
liner, which was authorized to land certain
passengers in Havana, had declined to avail
herself of the privilege, so that the depart
ment Is relieved Of what promised to be an
embarrassing incident and of the necessity
Of establishing what might prove to be a
dangerous precedent.
Consular Reports
The department published in the shane of
consular reports today some statistics
from United States Consul Williams at Ma
nila. They show that last year, out OF
a. vessels of all kinds departing from the
Philippines q were from the United States
80 from Great Britain, 70 from Germany. Al
from Spain. The arrivals were in about
the same proportion. Mr.. williams, whose
report IL dated April 2. shows q most -four.
ishing condition Of the Manila customs. the
receipts for February last, exceeding by
oe7.s4s the receipts for the corresponding
month of 1897.
The Coal Question
Omcials here dismiss az pure invention
the story coming from Montreal that for.
'msr Minister Polo has secured for Spain a
ooaling station ON one Of the French island,
of st. Pierre and Miquelon, on the New.
3oundland coast. At the French smbass,
the report IL treated with much contempt
~ the French decree Of neutrality is bind
Ing on tho French governor Of those island,
and sffectually prevents the granting O
such exceptional privileges a. coaling sta
lions It II not generally known tina
France possesses these small isiands in In,
North Atlantic. When the French gave u,
canada ana Newfoundland to the Brftisi
q Vas provided in the treaty Of Utrech
that France should retain the two island
= y Rsrrs and Niquslon. which hav,