Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-06-04
GENERAL WAR SITUATION.
Continued from page ID

The principal objection was that the
boat could not be in regular commits
sion and command of naval officer.
Besides, they contended that she had
never been thoroughly tested. Now
the boats owners propose that a naval
officer or officers be designated to go
down in the Holland that she be COM
missioned.
Notwithstanding the rather positive
statement coming from Jamaica, that
the second Spanish fleet from CadiZ
has crossed the Atlantic and is about
to join Cervera at Santiago. the ofli-
GERS of the navy department refuse TO
be frightened at what they declare TO
be a bugaboo.
1t appears that the basis of their con-
fidence is Geographic report of as late
date as yesterday, declaring that the
Cadiz fleet is still at CadiZ. Moreover.
they know that there are not so many
as 16 warships in that fleet.
Capt Sigsbee of the auxiliary cruiser
st. Paul, reported at the navy depart
ment, today, and had conference with
Acting Secretary Allen.
Messrs Thrall and Jones, the news
paper correspondents imprisoned at
Havana, and recently exchanged for
Spanish officers, We're also at the navy
department during the day.
Acting Secretary Allen. late this af-
ternoon, appointed a court of inquiry to
examine into the collision, May %, be
tween the United States cruiser Column
bia and the British steamer Foscolia
off Fire Island, which resulted in the
Of ha IA vessel The fDllct VIII
consist of Commodore w. p. Mccain,
retired, Capt. Geo w Sumner, Com
mander c. II. Sperry and Lieut. Doug
las Robinson. retired, as judge advo-
cate. 1t viii meet at New York, next
Monday.
The navy department found it neces-
sary to explain the method it had en-
ployed of advancing on the naval list
the captains of vessels engaged in the
battle of Manila. There appeared to be
a great Inconsistency in the recon-
mendation. Capt Frank Wildes of the
Boston, for instance, going up only five
numbers while Commodore Wood of
the little Petrol, jumped ten. Admiral
Dewey, himself, Went up only two num-
bers.
The reason for this. according to the
department officials is that a number in
the higher grade is worth much more
than a number in the lower grade, 50
that what appears an inequality is. in
fact, exact equality as near as calcu-
lation could make it.
The advance of these officers on the
naval list has caused some very curious
"skips," such for instance, as in tn
cases of Capt. Sigsbee. Capt. CroWnin
shield, and Capt. O'Nel of the ordnance
bureau. who We're all passed over.
Naval officers, today. are giving out
the impression that the general attack
on Santiago is to he deferred until the
troops arrive from Tampa. If this is
so then nothing can be expected in the
way of an engagement for some time to
come, for it was stated at the war de-
partment today, that no troops have
yet boarded the transports and several
days twill be required to make the pas
sage from Tampa to Santiago.
The attention of naval officers has
been attracted to the positions in the
harbor occupied by the Spanish flag
ship Crstobal Colon and the hulk
Reina Mercedes Lying in the narrow
est part of the channels. the ships.
when in danger of capture, might be
scuttled and thus absolutely prevent
the entrance of the American ships.
While this would also prevent the
egress of the Spanish vessels it would
tend to make the reduction of Santiago
an extremely difficult task and one re-
During long time for the Spanish
ironclads lying in the harbor could pe
counted upon to easily repel any at
tack coming from the land side until
such time as the troops managed to Sc
cure the support of heavy artillery.
The sudden appearance of the cruiser
Cincinnati at Hampton Roads is eX-
planned al the navy department by the
statement that her boilers are to be re-
tubed