Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-06-04
The President Spends Much Time in
the War Room.
bis INTEREST In THE DISPATCHES
What Was Said by Congressman
About Reports.
THE ERRIMAC HEROE S

Whether not the President had re-
ceived official news from the front, there
was good deal of mystery and activity
around the White House today. All of the
official visitors noticed unusual hustle
among the employees in the war room" of
the Executive Mapsion, and commented
Upon this feature.
The President received the mornings
press dispatches, and displayed deep inter-
est in their contents. He spent some time
in the war room himself, either sending or
receiving dispatches. In going to the war
room the President had to pass through the
reception room, which was filled with con-
gressional visitors waiting for word with
him. He remained some time. giving rise
to considerable speculation as to his work.
What Congressmen Said.
A positive statement was made during the
morning by two Congressman that cipher
dispatches of the greatest Importance
had been received by the War and Navy
Departments. 1t was said that these tele-
grams conveyed the news that Admiral
Sampson had sunk the Merrimac in the
Santiago channel; that a short time later
the Spaniards blew up the wreck of the
vessel with dynamite and took other meas
ures for clearing the harbor, which indl-
Gated that they were expecting reinforce
ments and a battle. The man who gave
this Information was positive in his asser-
tfons and said that the Navy Department
officials believed that the Spanish reserve
squadl on was about to arrive to attack the
Americans from the rear while Cervera
would run out of the harbor and Join in the
battle
In some respects the information was
similar to the press news which had ar
rived during the morning. and this gave
rise to belief that the informant had fail
ed TO distinguish between press news and
omclal dispatches Press bulletins are sent
the departments through courtesy and the
onclals who receive them mention to call
ers tnat such and such news has been re-
celVed Many callers get the idea that the
news is official and talk to their friends.
Ine informant as to the dispatches said
that ne had no doubt that the departments
had received official cipher dispatches.
Sinking the Merrfmac.
Regarding the sinking of the Merrtmac
the opinion among White House callers
was unanimous that the work was done in
tentionally by Admiral Sampson. They are
sure II was not an accident or the unex-
pected result OF the fire from the Spanish
batteries. There has long been talk that
an obstruction Of some kind would be sunk
in the harbor for the purpose of irving to
lmprison Cervera, but it was pointed out
at the same time that the Spaniards could
remove an obstruction of this kind with
more ease than it could be placed by the
Americans. If the vessel was not sunk as
an obstruction it was sent in as a sacrifice
to locate the Spanish mines, it is said by
experts and amateurs.
REQ inc
heroic men who piloted the Merrimac to
destruction, it is felt that the Spaniards
would not dare to shoot them knowing
what the feeling of the world would be.
1t is suggested this afternoon that the
Spaniards are anxious to make the Ameri-
can government believe they are expect
ing reinforcements. If they could succeed
in establishing this belief the sending of
troops would have to be again delayed.
The entire program recently made would
have to be changed or Indefinitely delayed,
and unlimited suspense would characterize
everything.
Shook Hands With u Drummer Row
President Mckinley yesterday shook
hands with the youngest drummer boy in
Camp Alger. He is Garfield Finlayson of
Company A, SD Michigan Regiment. He
and took in the White House. Although
thirteen years old he is small for his age
but bright, witty and anxious to fight the
Spaniards. His father is dead and his
mother allowed him to come on He was
the object of much attention, and a num-
Der of lady visitors at the White House
took great interest in him. One kind-heart-
ed woman, with tears in her eyes. gave him
two 81 bills, and others made contributions
The little fellow is from Detroit and was
a newsboy. He swears by Secretary Alger,
because every Christmas General Alger
gives each newsboy of Detroit a new suit
of clothes. There are over 800 Of these
hustling little fellows who are the recipi-
ents of General-Alger's goodness.
The Red Cross Society.
Miss Clara Barton and George Kenyon of
the Red Cross Society had a conference
with President Mckinley this afternoon re-
garding the work of the society at the
front. The conference is preliminary to a
more definite understanding with the gov
eminent to the field of work of the So
ciety, which has powerful backing in New
York for whatever 1t may undertake.
The President will receive the new Bra
lillian minister on Monday morning at IL
O'Clock.