Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-05-12
GENERAL WAR SITUATION.
Continued from page ~

Notwithstanding what appear to be
contirmatory newspaper advices rela-
Cape Verde fleet at Cadiz, the navy de-
partment officials are beginning to en-
terrain strong doubt of the accuracy
of the report.
1t was not possible during the day
to obtain anything like an official con-
firmation of the official report received,
yesterday, but this is not to wondered
at in view of the success which the
| Spanish government has so far met
with in keeping secret the movements
of it's ships
Until news comes from Admiral
Sampson of his doings in and around
Porto Rico, it cannot be said definitely
what programme shall be decided on as
sestcd that some of the TROOPS now be-
| ing hurried so rapidly to the gulf
with Admiral Sampson in the reduc-
ton of the Notifications at San Juan
| de Porto Rico and the occupation of
| the islands.
| 1t is felt that the admiral will be in a
rather disacreeable plight, supposinS
even that he managed to reduce the
forts with his fleet, if he were obliged
to remain there in occupation of the
place for his lack of troops when h"
might otherwise be urgently needed
either on the Cuban coast or some
where in the Atlantic to meet the
Spanish fleet.
An evidence of the wisdom IF having
troop transports near at hand in sucn
cases is shown by the predicament
Admiral Dewey is believed to be in at
Manila. Nhere fer lack Of troops he is
una bic to occupy the town and to pre-
vent atrocities which the insurgents
are capable of working upon their help
less Spanish foes.
The revival Of doubts as to the
Whereabouts of the Cape Verde squad |
ron caused a renewal Of anxiety as toI
the Oregon. The ship was at Bahia Il
last accounts and is believed to have
started day or TWO ago up the /
Brazilian coast to JOHN SIMPSONS /
squadron in the West Indies She VIII 7
have to make a run of 5000 miles. which /
will occupy the Oregon 10 days only. as
she is in fine fettlc and averaged Is
knots an hour ON the long run around /
from san Francisco.
However. ii is believed that Admiral /
Sampson is as well posted as any on"
in Washington as to the conditions
existing in the West Indies and he
doubtless Will do whatever is necessary
in his judgment to safeguard the ship
in her run up the coast.
During the past month the bureau
of construction and repair Of the navy
department spent 81 80, 900 in the repair
and Quitting of ships and none Of this
money went to new construction. This
is said to be the largest expenditure in
this particular line made by the cqutr-
ment bureau. even during the days Of
the Civil War.
Lieut.. Col Roosevelt, today. turned
over the duties of assistant secretary of
the navy To Mr.. Allen and later held a
reception at the department TO all the
employees.
The rush orders to the Charleston
which went out. today. will have the
result, possibly. of obliging the depart
ment to send another vessel, probably
the Philadelphia, along with the troop
transports which are expected to go out
from San Francisco about the end of
the week, since it is unusual in time of
war to send such transports without a
war ship for convoy.
Preparations are visible, particularly
in the quartermasters and commissary
branches of the war department. for
the expeditions to Cuba and the Philip
pines. An order mas been given for the
purchase If 10000 hammocks for the
use of the men in tropical chimes.
For the feeding of the men the COM
missary department has made arrange
ments for the purchase and shipment
to Gulf points, but mostly to Tampa of
over 5000. 900 rations which Il is esti-
mated will supply an army of 10000
men over 80 days. assuming that they
are given full rations during that time
1t is probable, however, that por-
ions of this great amount of supplies
are intended for the relief of the re-
lief of the reconcentrad0s who are dy-
ing from starvation in Cuba.
For feeding the men who Will go on |
the expedition to the PHILIPPINES the
cCmmissary department made ar
ranSements for the delivery at san
Francisco of over Loo. 900 ratiOns for
the delivery at san Francisco of over
100000 rations. enough to accommo-