The herald., 1898-04-26

harbor and not very far distant from the
Foote, fired three shots at the torpedo
boat. They all went wide of the mark and
the Foote returned to the Cincinnati,
where she reported the result of her sound
ings and then announced she had been
| fired upon. The Cincinnati was anxious
to steam In instantly and reduce the Span
ish batteries, but she was not permitted to
do so.
| No captures are reported by the fleet OF
Matanzas. 1t Is alleged that two Spanish
gunboats we're seen in shore. but the re-
port could not be verified
Insurgent Supplies
NEW YORK, April 25.-A dispatch to the
Herald from Washington says: Arrange
ments have been completed by this gov-
crnment to supply the Cuban insurgents
with arms and ammunition.
| The government is preparing now to land
in Cuba from 25 900 to 10000 stand Of i'm
proved Springfield rifles, number of ar
tillery batteries, rapid-fire Maxim guns and
an abundance of ammunition for the effec-
tive use of them. 1t cannot now be said
when these munitions of war will be placed
in the hands of the insurgents, but when
the proper time comes for the A, 900 armed
Cubans to cooperate with the American
forces they will be thoroughly armed and
equipped for battle
| When Estrada de Palma and Brigader-
General Castillo visited the War Depart
ment last week the plans for delivering the
arms were adopted. General Castillo IS
thoroughly familiar with the topography
of Cuba and knows every road that leads
to the coast and the safe anchorage for
vessels.
The government will probably this week
send vessel to a secluded place along the
coast. The vessel will have on board the
arms and ammunition anxiously want
ed by the Cubans and 1t will be protected
by one or two gunboats
On shore the large Cuban force will be
In waiting. 1t is said that the entire Gu.
ban army may be concentrated at this no.nt
under the protection OF the guns of the
warships.
The munitions of war will be landed as
rapidly as possible as a large number of
men can do the work, and the arms and
ammunition will be taken to a place of
safety for distribution. These arrange
ments have been made by the Cuban Jun
ia and General Castillo in behalf OF Cen
eral Gomez, and the latter will be- at the
head of his army to receive the arms when
on the day agreed on they will be ready
for delivery
1T is understood this government will not |
deliver the arms to any one but Gen. |
eral Gomez in person, and he will, as
guarantee of good faith, receive them. |
General Miles believes that If the insurg-
ents are properly armed and supplied with
the artillery they have so long needed, they |
can do more effective work and render the
American troops invaluable aid in driv-
ing the Spaniards from the island.
The Local Coasts
SAN FRANCISCO, April 25-Within
twenty-four hours three government
boats will have been assigned to patrol |
service in and about the local harbor.
Today the cutters Rush, Corwin and
Grant lowered their revenue flags and
hoisted the navy ensign instead. They
have been formally turned over to the
navy department and will Immediately be |
transformed into gunboats for coast pa
troll service. A naval board, of which |
Capt. Kemp is senior member came down |
from Mare island today and inspected the !
three vessels. 1t was stated by one of the |
members of the board that the vessels can
be made ready 4or sea duty in less than
twelve hours. In fact the officers strongly |
intimated that at least two of the vessels,
probably the Corwin and Grant would 90
to sea tomorrow.
The United States steamer Albatross
was sent to the Union iron works today to
receive an overhauling preparatory to en-
tering into actual naval service.
The new government tug Unadilla, at
Mare island. made her first appearance in |
her new warpaint.
Steamers Coaling
NEW YORK, April 25.-The American
line steamers St. Louis and New York |
(now the u S. s. Harvard) are being
coaled today. every inch of space usually
used for freight being used for coal.
They are under sealed orders to sail
and nothing definite can be learned as to
their destination. One report is that thAy
are to carry coal to the blockading fleet
at Havana and then proceed to Cramps
ship yards, but this could not be confirmed
Another rumor is that they are to act as
scouts and in case Spanish warships should |
be sighted return at full speed to report
the fact. The cruiser New Orleans, it is
also alleged will be sent to sea today on
an errand similar to that of the former
American liners.
The Naval Militia
SANTA BARBARA, April 25-The Sixth
division Of the naval militia, Lieut.. D. F.
Hunt is now recruited to its maximum
limit of 104 men, with many more appli-
cants. They are ready for instant call
A battalion of home guards was formed
tonight, Capt. I. B. Hardy In command,
for the purpose of affording adequate de-
fense for the coast in this vicinity against
privateers. 1t Is expected that this bat
TALON will number 300 or more when or
ganization is complete.
French Interests
ST. THOMAS, w. l., April 25.-The first
class cruiser Admiral Rigault de Cen
GULLY leaves here tomorrow for San Juan
Porto Rico, to protect the interests of |
France in those waters.