The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1898-05-06

Washington, April 3O.-The Smelling
of the Matanzas batteries was the
topic Of absorbing interest throughout
naval and official circles generally yes
terday. 1t was discussed on the basis
of the press reports from Key West,
as the navy department received no
information whatever on the subject.
| Secretary Long said, as he closed up
his office work Of the day, that no re-
port had been received from Admiral
Sampson, nor was the navy depart
ment advised in any way Of the she'll
| ing of Matanzas. Mr. Long added that
he felt no disposition to keep from the
event as a naval engagement or bat
tie. While it was essential that future
strategic moves should be guarded
with the greatest care, yet MI. Long
made it clear that this did not apply to
events after they had actually &C.
Cured, for as to battles and their at
tendant casualties he recognized that
the public was entitled to know what
had occurred. The secretary said that
| in the absence Of all information he
was inclined to believe that the she'll
ing was confined to the exchange of q
few shots and did not assume the pro-
portions Of regular bombardment.
When his attention was directed to re-
ports that the Smelling was the
Result of Direct ORDERS
from the president, the secretary said
this was not SO, as the president was
giving no direct orders in any of these
movements. The navy department has
completely ceased its purchase Of ships
for conversion Into war vessels, owing
to the exhaustion of the $5O.OOO,OOO
war fund. 1t is confidently expected
that congress will come to the relief,
as the department is still in need Of
auxiliary vessels.
The Port Royal dry dock, according
to welcome official information, will
be accessible to our warships, even the
biggest Of the feet, should they meet
with accident during the campaign.
The report from the constructor in
charge shows that the entrance to the
dock is now dredged clear. The board
Of bureau chiefs met to begin the con-
sideration Of the plans for the three
new battleships authorized by the ma
val appropriation bill and progressed
so far that circulars will be sent out
to-day inviting bids frfom the ship
builders.
A rather striking sign Of the immi-
nence Of the invasion Of Cuba was
contained in the chartering by the war
department of eight large steamers Of
an average capacity of about 1000
tons and able to carry from 500 to
1000 passengers each. These are to be
Used as Transports
for the conveyance of the first mill
tary expedition to Cuba. Gen. Shafter,
in command of the United States
troops now concentrated at New Or
leans, has been in consultation with
the officials as to the execution of the
plans of the campaign, but the orders
given to him cannot be made public.
The president and cabinet will con-
slider the large number of applications
that have been made for appointment
to the posts of major general and
brigadier general, and there is some
expectation that he will nominate Il
few of these officers tomorrow. Gen.
Lee arrived here late yesterday after
q ten days visit to his family in Vir-
ginia. With him came Miss Cisneros,
the young Cuban girl rescued from
Cabanas, who has been the guest of
Miss Lee. The general shared the
keen public interest in the report of
the Smelling Of Matanzas. He had WIS.,
tied this city frequently and was IA
miliar with the lay of the land and the
defenses. He said the batteries were
| Anticipated and We're not likely to Of
| fer
Any Formidable Resistance.
The French embassy has received a
cable dispatch from the foreign Office
Mt Paris announcing that decree of
neutrality between the United States
and Spain had been issued, and that
a detailed copy will be forwarded by
mail. The state department has also
been informed that Mexico, Argentine
| Republic, Korea and Belgium have
proclaimed neutrality. Korea's neu-
trality is considered important, owing
to her proximity to the Philippines.
The state department has heard
nothing from Germany, but this
causes no apprehension owing to the
strong assurances Germany has given
that she will observe strict neutrality
between the two belligerents. The
Portuguese minister expects the Of
fetal declaration almost hourly. At
tention is now being centered on the
course Of Austria. Her delay in de-
claring neutrality causes no material
inconvenience as Austria has no ports
ut which Spanish ships can take ref
uge, but it discloses that Austrias
strong tendencies are with Spain, ow-
ing to the dynastic relations between
the thrones Of Austria and Spain.