The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1898-06-30

Gen. Shafter took with him TO Cuba the
military balloon equipment prepared un
der the direction of Gen. Greedy, OF the
Signal Office. Ii is in charge of Capt.
Joseph Maxfield, an experienced officer of
the corps, who viii supervise all opera
tons connected with its use. Experience
has demonstrated the usefulness and
adaptability of the balloon in time of war
in ascertaining the movements and opera
tions of the enemy and in reporting these
results promptly by means of telegraphic
communication TO the ground below TO
skillful operators who in turn will trans
NIT the information to the commanding
Generals. The two foreign balloons OBJ
tanned by Gen. Greedy in France, and
which lately arrived in New York, are now
also at Tampa and will be used in future
operations in Cuba and Porto Rico.
THE NAVY.
The President has recommended TO Con-
gress that Assistant Naval Constructor
HObson, who sank the Merrimac, be trans
ferIed 10 the line of the Navy with such
promotion as the President may decide
and receive the thanks Of Congress; that
Naval Cadet J. W. Powell be advanced
two. numbers and to be an Ensign; the
commander, First Lieutenant +. II. New
comb, OF the revenue cutter Hudson, for
gallant service in assisting the torpedo
boat Winslow and men to safety at Car
depas, be given the thanks Of Congress
anu q EDiO mccall, n silver D1eGdl DC gwen
each officer of the Hudson, and a bronze
medal To each Of the crew.
The northern patrol squadron has been
ordered to change its work at once for Key
West. The ships OF the squadron are the
San Francisco Katahdin, Columbia. Prairie
and Badger. The idea that the Spaniards
will invade this coast is now evidently
abandoned and the thought that the war
was now undoubtedly TO be carried by
them with vigor into the enemy's country
filled the heart Of every officer and man
with delight
Admiral Sampson cabled the War De-
partment on June p that by means OF a
flag Of truce he had learned that Hobson
and his men were well, and had been re-
moved from Moro Castle TO the city of
Santiago, four miles distant. This lifted
q weight Of anxiety as 10 the condition of
this band of heroes, for, since the recent
bombardment, in which MORO Castle suf-
fered somewhat, there has been uncer-
tainty as TO whether Hobson and his men
were dead or alive.
Final approval was given the ot her day by
the Secretary of the Navy for the CON
struciion of three big battleships under
designs agreed upon by the special board,
and bids were asked from the leading
shipyards of the country. IL is proposed
that these vessels shall be completed in
less time than any large ships OF the Navy
have been, and large penalties are to be
imposed for failure to meet contract re-
quirements. No bid will be considered
that does not contemplate the building oi
the ships in less than IS months In gen
eral appearance and type the ships will
be similar TO the Alabama and Wisconsin
type, although there are some important
changes in the design tending TO make
them higher rate war craft. Their speed
however. will be but 16 knots, and there i
general criticism that ii should be no
higher in view of the speed obtained
abroad by battleships of equal displace-
ment, which in several instances have
reached Is knots and more.
Reports by two Spanish prisoners taker
last week were that the shells from tho
kesuyius caused absolute horror in Santi
ago, where the people say that the Ameri
cans throw earthquakes into the harboi
at night. None Of these shells struck thu
city. One hit the battery on Cayo Smith
demolishing it, blowing the guns over tn,
front Of the works and killing the Who'll,
garrison. The shock was felt iii Santiag,
itself.
The Reina Mercedes, of Ceryera's feet
sunk in Santiago harbor, lost her com