The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1898-06-11
KEPT THEIR SECRET.
Absolute Success of the Censorship
of the War Department.
TROOPS WHEREABOUTS UNKNOWN.
Mysterious Vessels Seen In Cuban Water
Give Concern to the War Depart
ment for the Safety of the
Troops In Transit.

WASHINGTON, j une lO.-lt became ap-
parent yesterday afternoon, that the
war department, through the energetic
Offices of its ccnSors has succeeded en-
tirely in its purpose TO keep the move
ments of the United states troops Il
secret. For beyond question at the
CLOSE OF the day it was impossible to
learn where are the United States
troops which had been for weeks
gathered under command of Gen. Shaf-
ter in Florida.
Stories of the appearance of four mys-
FERROUS war ship in Cuban waters
tioated through the navy department
during the day. The officers quickly
condemned them, declaring that If the
boats were Spanish they were nothing
more than armed launches, and not 10
be feared by any number of transports
conveyed by such fine gunboats as the
Helena and the Bancroft.
But, when these stories reached the
ear of the war department they were
received with u different spirit. Moth
Ing is more helpless in warfare than
ali unarmed troop transport full OF
| su.diers. She would fall au easy vie
time Is the smallest gunboat, and the
| soldiers, knowing their weakness In
| this respect. are loath TO undertake to
cross the Florida straits until these
| disagrceable visitors have been re-
moved from the pathway.
Without respect to the character OF
the strange craft that are said to be
! - a. IL ,r- ~ nT-n IN - thnvv
will be removed from the scene of ac-
ton in short notice. as it is understood
that Sampson has been made ac-
quainted with the situation and will
be expected to redeem his promise to
provide safe conduct to the army when
called upon. He has ample force to
conduct the operations at Santiago to
a successful issue, and still spare YES
sells of any power desirable for use in
the Florida straits.
1t was pointed out yesterday by a
naval officer that the admiral, since
the arrival of the marine battalion on
the Panther, has had at his disposal
what he may regard as a sufficient
force of men to capture Santiago, even
b1AoiS IiN liOcPo oAAA'N lin w ~
rines on the Panther added to the Ta-
rIncs already with the fleet would
make 4 total of about 800 men.
Without impairing the efficiency of
: Iii, ships. Admiral Sampson could spare
1,Cg1 blue jackets for d landing party,
ana with this total force of 800 men,
if the insurgents, who have been armed
Ky the United States government, do
their share. itsecms possible for Samp-
son 20 capture Santiago at short notice.
There seemed to be Il very decided
amount OF expectation among the Off
cials who are acquainted with the gov
eminent plans in the campaign that
almost warranted a conclusion hat an
engagement OF some kind was expected
YESTERDAY.
Steady progress is making upon the
81. p under construction by the gov
GRIM, nj At the several navy yards. as
, revealed by the monthly reports from
the various yards to Chief Constructor
Iiichborn: On the battleships, the
Newport News people are ahead
having the Kcarsarge and Ken
tuclly 80 per cent. advanced
toward completion, and the Illinois
Is per cent. Cramp II Sons report the
Alabama So per cent. along and the
Union iron works have progressed IS
per cent. with the Wisconsin. Ten
torpedo boats are now actually under
construction. and have been completed
to the following extent:
The Rowan. ~2C-knotter, building at
Moran Bros, Seattle. $50 per cent.
The DahlGren, 30-knotter, building
at the Bath iron works. Bath. Me-, 70
per cent.
The 7. A. Craven, 30-knotter. Bath
iron works, Bath, Me-. 50 per cent.
The Farragut, 3O-knotter, Union
iron works, san Francisco, so per cent.
The Davis and Fox, 2.5-knotters,
Wolff Il Sewickers. Portland, Ore, SO
and 81 per cent, respectively.
The Mackenzie, ~2O-knotter, Chas.
Hillman, Philadelphia, 80 per cent.
The Stringham, 3O-knotter, Harlan K
Hol~lingsworth, Wilmington, Del, Is
per cent.
The Goldsboro. ~3O-knotter, Wolf &
Sewicker. seven per cent.
The Bailey, ~30-knotter, Gas Engine
and Power Co., New Jersey. 2OH per
cent.
The submarine BOAT Plunger, build
ing at the Columbian iron works, Bal
timore, similar in many respects to the
Holland, is said to be 72 per cent. ad-
vanced.
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