The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-04-28

Washington, April 27-The war sit
uation is substantially this:
The blockading squadron remains
passive before Havana, with no pres
ent purpose of bombarding or of draw
ing the fire of the shore batteries. The
strategic purpose of an effective block
ade of the Cuban capital is being ac-
complished to the entire satisfaction
of the authorities here. There is no
Indication that a part of the fleet will
be withdrawn for the purpose of af-
fording additional protection TO North
Atlantic ports. AS to the reports of
the imminence of a naval battle off the
Philippines, the naval authorities here
seriously doubt whether the Spanish
fleet will make a stand against the
American ships. Their reason for this
belief is that the Spanish fleet is very
inferior to the American force under
Admiral Dewey The department.
therefore, is satisfied that the Spanish
fleet Will not go to do battle on the
high seas with Admiral Dewey, but
will remain in port TO secure the pro-
lection Of the batteries of Manila, and
the department is not expecting an en-
gagement for about two days.
HOW THE ESTIMATE IS BASED.
Without giving any explanation for
setting this time, the department al
lows it TO be Surmised that the estimate
IS based on its knowledge of Rear 1ad-
miral Dewey's whereabouts. There is
no certainty that there will be an en-
nj q q in Ia To
ture, the main purpose of the Ameri-
can expedition being to seize and hold
some suitable Spanish territory in the
Philippines as a base of operations
It is thought this can be done by net
attacking Manila at ALL but by SEEING
some convenient point on the islands
No word has come to the department
up TO the close of office hours of the
arrival of the Montzerrat at Cienfue-
gos. The officials are inclined to believe
that if she has gotten into that Dort.
she did so before the blockade of Glen
fuegos had begun.
UNCLE SAM IS "ON."
The very fact that the Madrid Off
Gals have rather ostentatiouslS de-
clared that the Spanish fleet has sailed
to lombard the cities on the North
American coast, is taken as a certain
indication at the navy department of
the utter improbability of such a move
ment.
If this were contemplated, the Span
ish officials would be the very last to
make their purpose public
The navy department as yet has
made no arrangements for the care of
prisoners taken by our warships, but
the legal officers of the department
think they should be sent to the Boston
naval prison.
Some vexation was felt at the injury
sustained by the Cushing. 1t is said
that this is the first serious breakdown
she has suffered in the nine years Of
her service. Luckily, the department
viii be able to replace her very short
", for President Master of the Column /
bian iron works called at the navy de- |
partment this afternoon to announce
that the torpedo boat Mckee. a 20 |
knotter. would be ready for trial to-
morrow. She viii be sent at once to (
Norfolk to have the finishing touches /
added and then will join the squadron. /
CUBAN CAMPAIGN.
In the war department there is a /
growing belief that the campaign
proper in Cuba will not be in full swing
before next fall, when the rainy season
has ended. That belief, however, has
not prevented the officers whose Gu-y
IL is TO get the troops together, from
pushing their work with the greatest
energy. Thus within u hours after lie
Hull bill became a law the department
was able to begin to send out circulars
prescribing the methods to be followed |
in recruiting the regular army ZIP TO
its full war strength of $4,000 men. The
enormous amount of work involved IN
thus increasing the army, regular and
volunteer, has caused General Miles ID
abandon his southern trip for the
present.
PROTESTS AND APPEALS.
The officials of the department were
overwhelmed today with all sorts of
protests and appeals against their ac-
ton in making the assignment of troops
among the volunteer forces, and many
changes may be looked for
Senators, members of the house of
and state officials ,
Secretary Ayers office at the ;
war department today, suggesting
changes in the apportionment of the
troops the states were called upon to :
furnish, or asking for change of rem T;
devious.
Secretary A r already has made I
several changes from the original desig- {
nations OF the character of troops J
wanted and the place of concentration. 9
Governor Hastings of Pennsylvania :
md his adjutant general came to Wash +
ngton today TO secure some modifica-
tons of the order as affecting that
state. Secretary Alger took Governor
Hastings request under consideration
Ex-State Delegate Garphy of Arizona
old Secretary Alger that the terri
DRY was anxious 10 furnish more SOL !
liers than the apportionment called for, r
yiz., two troops of cavalry The offer n
vas taken under consideration. h
RECRUITING TO BEGIN. !
Now that the Hull army reorganiza- p