The record-union., 1898-07-12

Drought with him a formidable array of
facts gathered from the newspaper re-
ports of the naval battle, to show that
nre was the element that worked the
greatest destruction among the vessels
OF the Spanish squadron, and that
Wherever American vessels had been
hit, even in the case of tiny torpedo
boats, they had escaped such fires be-
cause all of their woodwork was fire
proof. So impressed was Secretary
Long with the statement that he had
concluded to reconvene a special board
which was appointed some time ago to
deal with this matter, and which had
recommended that the use of prepared
wood be curtailed in some measure in
American warship building.
Naval officials say that serious ir-
regularity occurred at the time the
ships of Admiral Cervera's fleet hauled
down their colors and surrendered. In
cairies have brought out the fact that
the breech locks of the guns We're
thrown overbyard, thus disabling the
guns and making them practically
worthless, and the valves by which the
ships We're flooded were opened after
the surrender, which was breach Of
the rules of warfare, the enemy hav-
ing Ceased HSntinS anu IdNiHS dSheo
for quarter 1t is said that further de-
struction of the ships at such a time
was both wanton and dishonorable, and
that if the persons responsible for it
are located they are liable to be held
accountable.
The department has not yet received
the report of the court of inquiry, show
ing in detail the injuries to these ships
press report of the boards findings say
ing that only the Maria Teresa could
be saved, excited much surprise, as it
was confidently believed that the Colon
also could be saved in whole or in
part. The officials are still hopeful that
the full report of the board will show
that there is a chance of saving the
Colcn.
Notice from General Shafter to the
effect that he has proposed to begin the
assault and bombardment Of Santiago
to-day intensified the interest with
which news from the front is being
awaited at the War Department, and
there We're many inquiries at the office
of the Adjutant General beginning in
the early morning for the latest dis
patches To all of these but one an
sWSr was returned, General Shafter
has been given free hand to deal with
the situation subject to but one con-
dition, namely, that the Spaniards in
Santiago must be captured
And he had not informed the War
Department as to the details of his
plans further than was indicated in the
dispatches received from him yesterday
The belief here is that the affair of yes
terday was of little Importance being
perhaps but a feint on the part of the
Spaniards to uncover the American bat
teries or to discover some weak spot
which might be made the point of at
tack in a sortie when it comes to that
The officials here do not conceal their
apprehension that the enemy may es-
cape from Santiago under cover of
darkness and are consequently relieved
each day when dispatches from the
front show that they still occupy the
town.
The President himself was so much
concerned over the possible escape of
the Spanish forces that he directed the
sending Of explicit orders to General
Shafter to prevent it at all hazards.
This fact, taken with the Generals dis
patch of yesterday, formed the basis
of the opinion expressed at the War
Department yesterday that Skaters
attack would not be made immediate
ly. 1t was gathered from these re-
ports that he had succeeded in extend
ing his lines clear around the city,
and it was feared that if he began the
attack before completing the circum-
valuation the enemy, under the strength
of his attack, might escape through the
uncovered northwest section and re-
treat towards Manzanillo over the road
traversed by the reinforcements that
last reached Santiago. Now, however,
Shafter reports that he expects to COM
plete his lines to-day, presumably using
for the purpose the reinforcements
which reached him Saturday and yes
terday, and it is expected the attack
will be no longer delayed.
Several kilograms were received at
the Navy Department over night from
Admiral Sampson. 1t is said that they
did not relate to the attack on Santi-
ago, but touched on the organization
of Watson's fleet and the movement Of
certain transports which had been the
object of inquiry.
Captain General Blanco is making
(! desperate efforts to get in supplies
through the American blockade lines.
Inspired by the successful attempt of
the Purissima Conception to land sup
plies on the island of Cuba, he is now
causing to be loaded another steamer
at a Mexican port with the intention
of running the blockade and bringing
in food and ammunition to the be-
leaguered Capital This is large ship
of about $500 tons, and she already
has taken on a bountiful supply of
food. and is expected to load 1000 600
cartridges The craft is believed to be
the steamer Montevideo. now at Vera
Cruz, and protests have been lodged
with the Mexican Government by the
American Consul there against the
clearance of the vessel. The Montevided
is an auxiliary cruiser of the Spanish
navy. il is said. and carries a consid-
erable battery. Notice of the Monte
video's movements will be communi-
Gated 10 the blockading squadron inn
mediately, and it is entirely improb-
able that she will be able to repeat tb4
feat OF the Purissima Conception.
A long list of names of wounded and
sick enlisted men came from Tampa
over the wires to the War Depart
ment. These names are being care
fully verified and arranged in lists by
the department, and as this work is
time consuming ii will scarcely be
ready for publication before the close
of the day.
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