The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1898-05-16
{ 4 I n Il !
BEFORE
THE STORM.
War News in an Un-
naturally Calm Con-
dition at all
Points.
SPAIM'S SHADUN SUUADRUN
Navy Department Takes No
Stock in Stories Of a
Second Fleet.
SEVENTY THOUSAND VOLUNTEERS
Organization of Our War
Army Rapidly Approach
ing Efficiency.
GUARDING STRATEGIC SECRETS
Officials Bring Their Utmost
Efforts to Keep the Enemy
in the Dark About
Our Ships.
SPANISH CABINET CRISIS
Sagasta Trying to Form More vigo-
rous Ministry--English
Alliance Gossip.

WASHINGTON, d. c., May 10, 1oso--
At ii o'clock the President had not
been advised of any important develop
nient in the war situation,sso far as could
be learned There were some interesting
exchanges of views on the situation be-
tween the President and those who saw
them. but to all of them, up to that hour
he stated that there was no important
dispatches and also suggested that 1t was
a little early for news.
Secretary Long made similar responses
to some of the senators and representa-
lives who were numerous not only at the
White House, during the afternoon, put
also at the War and Navy Departments
General Pickett, who made the famous
charge at Gettysburg. and OF General
Tongstreet who are anxious for staff ap-
-nointments The President gave the two
voung men assurance that they doubtless
would he provided for. General Walker
also is anxious to go to the front NM
self. The President said that If General
walker continued to insist on going he
would give him command If posslpie,
but urged that his services were needed
in Congress.
Seventy thousand volunteers have now
been mustered into the service OF the
United States Government and the larger
norton of these are ready to start 1mme-
diately for the mobilizing points. great
many are already on their way and from
now on there will be a steady stream OF
soldiers travelling across the country and
toward the Gulf until the entire move
ment has been completed.
The changes in the assignments OF
many of the volunteers. as originally de-
termined upon, has caused more or less
confusion and a large number of Senators
and Representatives were at the War De-
partment today endeavoring to ascertain
the precise status of the troops of their
States and to see that their equipments
and transportation were provided for.
It is confidently hoped tnat. py the emu
of the week practically all of the volun-
teers will have been mustered into the
service. and arrangements for the proper
division of the combined regular and
volunteer troops into corps, abr1gades, etc,
will then be well under way.
The fifteen thousand or more troops
who are to be concentrated at Washing
Brigadier General Francis L. Guenther,
who has Just been promoted from colonel
of the Fourth artillery His assignment,
l,s purpose Of putting the soldiers in thor
Guenfher is now commandment at the
place to which Senator Sewell Of New Jer-
sew was originally assigned.
The regiment of infantry which the Dis
trict Of Columbia will furnish to the vol
! l1nteer army is nearly all mustered IN.
Some of them are now encampyed across
fhe Potomac River in Virginia, and as
soon as the entire regiment is ready all
will cave for ChickaInauga, where the
greater portion Of volunteers are to con-
extraordinary activity prevails in every
branch of the War Department, and one
Of the best evidences of the increased
business is an order just issued which
provides for keeping the telegraph office,
y heated in the department, opened for the
transaction of business during the night
The office has accommodation for over
"a dozen men, all Of whom are kept busy
the entire time.
1t is said to be the intention OF Secres
tarv Alger not to fill the vacancy Of
ouartermaster in charge Of the transpor-
fation Of volunteers, to which chairman
Rlanchfrd of the Joint Traffic Associa-
tion. was appointed. but who declined the
honor conferred upon him.
The Navy Department takes with great
allowance the report that the Spanish
strategisrs have succeedeq n senqlng q
second squadron under Admiral Nillamil.
to the West Indies, and that It also IS on
Martinique Even II the alleged 1nfor1na-
atom aid not bear the suspicious earmark
If Madrid date, the Department Wouiu
not be surprised TO hear that Admiral Wiz
lanil as well as Admiral Geryeras was
with the Spanish force IN the Sarlppeah
7;7s; The fact that the report came from Ma
<5rid SATISFIES the officials here that this IS
anof6er Spanish ruse TO centre our at
fenIl0n ol Magt9nla wa4s HE 5a,5 asp5rt saRs hns
+ s6af a Xl57niraI Vi11amil hae with him the
ssss,;;ssar< Gisneros Catalina and Princess
- xsIur3as. zt y kl,ozn, however, fnat