The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-07-17
SCRAMBLE FOR SHIPS.
Return Of the Prisoners a Big
Undertaking.
PLANS TO BAG PORTO RICO.
Army at ChiCkamauga In Good
Condition.

War Department - Newport News
atIon-SantIagO's CapituIation Jusa
Before the Hurricane Season Com
sidered Fortunate by the Navy De-
partment-Big supply of Ammuni-
ton to lie Sent to Commodore
WntEOn's Squadron.
Washington, July 16.-!Ths fact that
appeared at last satisfactorily established
this evening, after another twenty-four
hours active cable correspondence with
Cen shafter, was that the Spanish army
had surrendered.
About that there could be no doubt, but
unfortunately tho details are still good
deal beclouded as set out In Gen. Skaters
last dispatch.
1t rs realized here that the terms impose
ed by the commissioners as 10 the remov-
al of the Spanish troops, now augmented
TO formidable total, involve grave re-
sponsbllity for our government. Sill, tha
staff corps of the war department have
risen so we'll to meet every emergency as
1t occurred that there can be no doubt OF
their ability to solve the large questions
presented by the necessity of removing this
army across the Atlantic.
Fortunately Secretary Alger in antlcipa-
tion of heavy demands upon the DEPART
ment in the matter of transportation has
a new bureau to take charge of that sub
| ject alone. This win be known as the bu-
reau of transportation and win be direct
| cd by Col. Hecler who has. in the short
time he has been at the war department.
proved his executive abilities.
His chief assistant win be Col. Bird of
the quartermaster's department. which was
formerly charged with all matters relat-
| ing TO transportation.
The appearance of Gen. Brooke at the
war department to-day gave token of the
purpose of the administration to begin inn
mediatey preparations for the dispatch of
a military expedition against Porto Rico.
The General made what is regarded upon
! the whole as a satisfactory report as to
the sanitary conditions existing at Camp
| Thomas, and showed that the troops were
In condition now to leave for Porto Rico
| IL called upon
| II is understood that two weeks time
will be required to assemble the transports.
get the troops and supplies aboard at one
of tho most available seaports, which i'm
this case is likely to be Newport News ow-
ing to the successful outcome of the Iase
expedition from that port, and saIl for
Porto Rico.
Luckily for the navy Santiago has capit-
ulated just on the eve of the hurricana
season in the West Indies. The big battle
ships are able to go through this weather
with little discomfort, but the smalIer
blockade boats win find the task of ton-
| tnuing the blockade fraught with posi-
| tive danger. 1t is however, the intention
| at any cost to tighten the lines Of block
| ade, particularly at those ports connected
| with Havana by rail. The surrender OF
the eastern end of the island to the United
| States will afford some ports of refuga
| for our naval vessels In case Of absolute
| need.
Secretary Long has decided that Admiral
| Cervera may secure a parole If certain
| details can be arranged and he wishes
to do so. The admiral is expected with
his fellow officers and prisoners at AM
napolls tonight.
Commander Brownson of the auxiliary
cruiser Yankee was in conference with
| Secretary Long to-day, arranging for the
trip of this ship with the large cargo OF
ammunition for Commodore Watson's
squadron In It's attack on the coast of
Spain. The Yankee Is at Norfolk, and
will sail tomorrow for Santiago. She
Will reach there about next Tuesday, and
the big stock of ammunition will then be
placed aboard the battleships and cruisers
This transference of powder and shells Is
q delicate operation, requiring time, and
1t is probable that the week Will be well
along before this and the recoaling of the
Yankee win permit the squadron to act
ually get under way for Spain.
Owing to the inDOrtant mission Of COM
modore Watson's squadron and it's possi-
bilty of long absence from an American
port, every magazine on the ships will be
full when they sail. Admiral Sampson re-
Gently made request for ammunition and
supplies, as these had run low as the re-
suit OF the engagement with Admiral Ger
vera's squadron and the frequent shelling
OF Santiago. One load already has been
taken down on a supply ship and the YAM
kee fills up the fun quota. Each battle
ship viii have about 200 tons of powder,
with fifty to seventy of the largest l2-inch.
or 13-inch shells, according TO the size
of the big guns; seventy to eighty S-inch
shells, 300 to 300 Of the shells for 6-pounders
and other medium-sized guns, and 900 TO
800 rounds for the small rapid-hre guns.
The cruisers carry approximately the
same allowance without the shells for the
l2 and 13-inch guns. Aside from this
equipment of shells, the squadron Is we'll
provided with solid armor steel-piercing
shot. There has been no call for re-
newal OF the supply OF armor piercers, as
Admiral Simpsons fleet seem 10 have used
very few of them thus far, condning their
work to the big explosive shells. The lat
ter although not made for piercing,
are tested by the navy department to pass
through four inches of solid etell not
kcontinued on Sixth Pagel