The age-herald., 1898-05-23
RUMOR OF NAVAL
 BATTLE DENIED Official Bulletin Issued by Navy Department Yesterday ARMY HEADQUARTERS BUSY As Much Activity Shown as Is UuSuaIy
 Manifested Week Days. TROOPS FOR THE PHILIPPINES The City of Pekin, The Sydney and The Aus traIia Will Leave Tuesday, Carrying
 2,40O Men Under Commad
 of Brig. Gen. Anderson.
 
ARMY HEADQUARTERS BUSY
TROOPS FOR THE PHILIPPINES

Washington, May 22.-The rumors of great naval battle current last night. were disposed of by the navy department early today in the following official bulletin:
 No truth in the published statement concerning an engagement off St. Nicho- las Mole, Hayti, in which twelve ships were sunk"
 This was posted not only for the general information, but also to quiet the alarm among relatives and friends of those on board the American ships. As rule the department adopts the cautious phrase- ology of stating that official informa- ton has been received, but to make assur- ance doubly sure in this case, the depart ment declared, "There was no truth in the reports" This indicates that the official information is such as to warrant the statement that the American and Spanish squadrons have not met.
 The board of navigation, navy depart ment, where official dispatches are received, was open throughout the day, but the offi- cials were engaged on the outline work, and there was none of that evidence which would tend the receipt of information or of expectancy which would indicate the near approach of the two fleets. In the absence of exact information as to the location of the fleets, this serenity in naval circles was a fair indication that the ofa- clal advices did not give promise of an im- mediate engagement. It is evidently the view of the war board that an engage ment, if it can be brought on, will be de- cisive of the whole war and there is no purpose to allow such momentous results to go off on a huke, or too precipitous move in deference to the public pressure for results, but to move firmly, yet eau tiously, and insure victory when there is a fight.
 ARMY HEADQUARTERS BUSY.
 Army headquarters was as busy as OH week days. as the moving of large bodies of men gives scant time for Sunday rest. An extended dispatch was received from San Francisco, giving the final details for the embarkation of troops for the Phil ippines next Tuesday. It. stated that the City of Pekin, the Sydney and the Aus tralia would sail on that day with the First regiment of California volunteers, the first O1sgon volunteres, one officer and fifty men from the heavy artillery of the California volunteers, making in all 125 officers and 2,4OO men under Brigadier-Gen- eral Thomas Anderson. Although General Anderson takes charge of this command 1t is understood that General Otis, who is in San Francisco. will accompany the expedition. The Pelxin was originally se- cured by the navy department, but as she is so large and serviceable as a troop ship the army is using her in conjunction with the navy Besides the troops she will carry supplies and ammunition for the navy.
 General Miles spent the morning in his office, but in answer to inquiries said there was nothing to anonunce as to his plans or the concentration of troops in the south.
 Secretary Alger called at the white house at 10:30 o'clock and was with the president for fifteen minutes. Later the president, accompanied by Myron T. Herrick. of Cleveland. who, with Mrs. Herrick, a . guest at the white house. went to church. Up to this time the white house had re- ceived no war information of importance.
 PRESIDENT WENT TO CHURCH
 Secretary Day and Assistant Secretary Cridfar were at the state department part of the day, but it was said by those Tn authority that no word of importance had been received by our consular officers in the West Indies. They would be about the first to report an engagement in that To- cality
 The report from Madrid that the officials there threaten to cut the cable from Gall weston If our ships Isolate Blanco by cutting the cables at Santiago. are received with
 
 cable routes. The cable from Galveston runs to Vera Cruz and other Mexican ports. It is so far west that the Spanish admiral could not reach 1t without Q phe- nomenal run, and if he succeeded in cut ting 1t, there would be no strategic ad- vantage aganst the United States. as the line is rarely used for government busi- ness.