Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-04-29

About Ready More Battleship
Plans-Boats to Garry Troops to
Cuba-Many Men Who Want to
Be Generals Neutrality Procla-
nations Give Spain the Best Of It
Thus Far-A Complaint About
the Proposed Tonnage Tax.
Washington, April 28-The Smelling
Of the Matanzas was discussed here on
the basis of the press reports from Key
West, as the Navy Department receiv
ed no information whatever on the sub
ject. Secretary Long said he felt no
disposition to keep from the public any
news concerning such an important
event as naval engagement or bat
tie. While it was essential that future
strategic moves should be guarded with
the greatest care, yet Mr. Long made
it clear that this did not apply to events
after they had actually occurred, for
as to battles and their attendant casu-
alties he recognized that the public was
entitled to know what had occurred
The reports that the Smelling was ON
direct orders from the President, the
Secretary said was not so, as the Presi-
dent was giving no direct orders
The Navy Department has ceased its
purchase of ships for conversion into
war vessels owing to the exhaustion of
the $50, 1000, 900 war fund. 1t is conf
IDENTIFY expected that Congress will
come to the relief as the department is
still in need of auxiliary vessels.
The news of the safe arrival at Liv-
erpool Of the big American sailing
SHIP SHENANDOAH
was gladly received at the department.
Consul Boyle, at Liverpool, forwarded
the information
The Port Royal dry dock, according
to welcome official information, is ac
cessfble to warships, even the biggest
of the fleet, should they meet with acct
dent during the campaign. The report
from the constructor in charge shows
that the entrance to the dock is now
dredged and clear. The work of dredg-
ing the basin is still i'll progress, and
while this is not absolutely necessary
it is extremely desirable in order to in
sure the safety of the ships in docking,
and the department is endeavoring to
hasten the contractors in their work
They estimate that about fifteen days
more will suffice to complete it,
Tie board of bureau chiefs met to-day
to begin the consideration of the plans
for the three new battleships author
lied by the naval appropriation bill,
and progressed so far that circulars will
be sent out tomorrow inviting bids
from the ship builders. The vessels
will be in the main very similar to the
battleship Illinois, now building at
Newport News. They will be at about
1880 tons displacement, 70 feet beam,
2312 feet depth, 16 knots speed, will be
covered with heavy armor and armed
with
10 AND 6-INCH GUNS,
in addition to numerous secondary bat
teries.
1t can be stated authoritatively that
there is no present prospect of change
in the head Of the navigation bureau.
The present efficient chief, Captain
Crowninshield, though anxious to take
his place in the fighting line. has yield
ed his personal ambitions to the urgent
demands of Secretary Long and the
President, and will remain at his post.
He is in good health notwithstanding
the severe strain TO which he has been
subjected.
imminence of the invasion of Cuba was
contained in the chartering to-day by
the war department of eight large
steamers of an average capacity OF
about 1000 tons and able to carry from
500 to 1,200 passengers each These are
to be used as transports for the con-
veyance of the first military expedition
to Cuba. The names of the boats are
the Olivette and Florida. of the Plant
line, now in the gulf, the Southern
Pacific Companys steamer Arkansas.
the New York and Texas Company's
vessel Comal, now at New York, and
the Maiamo, now en- route to the gulf.
and three fine ships Of the Boston Mer-
chant & Miners line in Baltimore. the
Allegheny, the Berkshire and tse De-
catur Miller. The price paid for these
vessels is from $1,000 to ST., 900 for the
thirty days for which they are engaged.
They will be taken charge of by the
quartermaster's department at the
earliest possible moment
Gen. Shafter in command of the Uni
ted States troops, now concentrated at
New Orleans, has been ~ consultation
with the officials to-day as to the execu-
ton of plans OF the campaign, but the
orders given to him cannot be made
public.
The President and cabinet will con.
slider tomorrow the large number OF
applications that have been made fos
appointment to the posts Of
MAJOR AND RRJCAnIEI, CE>-U,p.p