The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-06-04
ScHLEY LIKELY TO GO SLOW.
ATTEMPT TO ENTER SANTIAGO BAY
IMPROBABLE.

steps VIII First BE Taken to Knock
out the Mines at the Entrance to
the HnrbOr-Owners of the Holland
Submarine Boat Anxious 20 Do the
WorL-NO stock Taken I'm the story
of the Arrival of spain's SECOND
Squadron at Santiago.
Washington, June "a brief bulletin
telling of Commodore SchIey's reconnois-
sance at Santiago on Tuesday was all the
information the navy department had TO
contribute to the press to-day. This puile-
tin went to confirm the press dispatches
which told of the firing on the foruhca-
tions at Santiago, but which have been SO
steadfastly discredited ever since the first
report.
The great natural strength of the span
ish position and the formidable character
of their batteries. as indicated by Com
modore Schley,. have confirmed the naVai
officials in the belief that they have been
wise not to direct any such reckless as
sault upon the place in the absence OF
proper forces, as has been advocated in
some quarters.
| The problem would be simplifed were 1t
known that there were no mines an the
channel AS it is the problem presented
| has enlisted the active interest Of the
army engineers, as well as the naval Of
ficers here.
| 1t is the duty of the army engineers in
this country to lay just such mines as
are supposed to be in place in Santiago
harbor, and they are curious to see how
their brothers in the navy propose to go
| about the work of destroying theme
The owners of the Holland submarine
boat who had proposed to go into santi-
ago harbor and destroy the Spanish war
ships at so much a vessel, have come for
ward with request for a practical test
by the naval officers of their craft.
Notwithstanding the rather positive
statement coming from Jamaica to the
effect that the second Spanish fleet from
Cadiz has crossed the Atlantic and Is
about to ioin Cervera to-day at Santiago.
the officers of the navy department refuse
to be frightened at what they declare to
be a bugaboo. 1t appears that the basis
of their confidence is telegraphic 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 sixteen warships in that fleet.
CAPT. sigsbee, of the auxiliary cruiser
st. Paul, reported at the navy department
to-day and had a conference with Acting
Secretary Allen.
Messrs Thrall and Jones, the two news
paper correspondents, imprisoned at Ha-
vana and recently exchanged for Spanish
officers. were also at the navy depart
ment during the day.
Acting Secretary Allen, late this after
noon. appointed a court of inquiry to ex-
anime into the collision on May Is between
the United States cruiser Columbia and
the British steamer Foscalia. off Fire ISL
and. which resulted in the loss of the lat
ter vessel The court will consist Of Com
modore w. P. Mccain, retired Capt.
George w. Sumner, Commander c. II.
sperry and Lieut.. Douglas Robin, retired
as Judge advocate. 1t will meet at New
York next Monday.
The navy department found it necessary
to-day TO make an explanation Of the
method 1t had employed in advancing In
the naval list the captains of the vessels
engaged in the battle Of Manila. There APP
peared to be a great inconsistency of the
recommendation, Capt Frank Wndes OF
the Boston, for instance, going up only
five numbers, while Commander 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
of the higher grade is worth much more
than a number in the lower grade, so that
what appears TO be an inequality Isl jim
fact. exact equality, as near as calculation
could make it, The advance of these Of
fcers on the naval list has caused some
very curious "skips," such, for instance,
as in the case of Capt. sigsbee, Capt.
Crowninshield and Capt. O'Neil Of the
ordnance bureau. who were all passed
over.
RAPID-FmE oNE-POUNDER.
| 81 frfu ~ n