The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1898-05-19

WASHINGTON, May 1S.-sEcRE-
TARY LONG GAVE OUT THE VEL
COME INFORMATION TO-DAY.
THAT THE BATTLtlsHIP OREGON.
THE SECOND LARGEST CRAFT IN
THE AMERICAN NAVY. HAD Sue
CEssFuLLY COMPLETED HER
LONG TRIP FROM SAN FRANCISCO
MAKING THE ENTIRE CIRCUIT OF.
SOUTH AMERICA. AND WAS NOW
SAFE.
Whether or not she has Joined >Ad-
mIral sampson's feet, the secretary
would not say. The rigid secrecy OF the
navy department was relaxed only
enough to make known the best news
the navy department had received since
the battle of Manila, as It meant not
only that the Oregon was out OF harms
way from concerted attack IN this one
ship, by the whole Spanish squadron
now In southern waters. but also that
her great fighting strength would be
added TO Admiral Sampson's force In the
near future, II, indeed, 1t had not already
AUGMENTED the admirars strength.
The Oregon left San Francisco about
s,x weeks ago, before the war had OPEN
ed. and at that time It was not admitted
that she was to Join the ships In ATTAIN
dc waters. She stopped at Callao for
dispatches. and then went round the
"hsrn," and then up the east coast OF
South America. In all the trip covered
more than 1900 miles
Tho Anxious Stretnh.
The last stretch from Bahia to the
wlndward Islands. has been followed
With anxiety by naval officials, for. by a
strange coincidence. the formidable
Spanish squadron OF armored cruisers
and torpedo boats approached tina
Windward Islands at the very time when
The Oregon was due there. Itahad been
suspected that the Spanish admiral
would try to intercept the battleship
with his superior force. and before 1eav-
/ Ing Bahia Captain Clark, OF the Oregon.
was warned to keep a close lookout for
the Spanish fleet In reply Captain
Clark expressed his confidence in being
able to hold his own, single, handed with
the Oregon, against. all the Spanish
cruisers. The only apprehension he felt
was to the torpedo boats under the
Spanish admiral's command, for these
are new and practically unknown ele-
ment against the modern battlesMp. and
Captain Clark. while confident OF hold
Ing ou: against these. also said q chance
blow might be struck by them. ) 4
Notwithstanding Captain Clark's as,
surances, the navy department contin-
ued to feel that q meeting between the
Spanish squadron and the American
batueship on such unequal terms was
far from desirable. and might bring
most serious results. For this reason
the official Information reaching the au-,
:horities to-day was a source OF most
hearty congratulations. Where the re-
port came frum was not made known,
but the mere fact that Secretary Long
regards the Oregon as safe makes It evil
dent that she has passed well to the
northward Of the Windward Islands,
ASIDE from this bit OF Information,
Secretary Long said at the close OF Office
hours that there was no further news
to be given out. 81
The chnricston's Long Voyage. .i
The cruiser Charleston, which started
today on her long Journey to meet Ad-,
niFal Dewey at Manila, should arrive
there in about twenty-four days, allow.
ing q couple OF days at Honolulu for
coal. Nothing better illustrates the
value OF the swift long range cr,Iisero of
me type that make up the Spanish NY
ihs squadron than the fact that they
would be able 10 make such a run as
his directly from San Francisco to Ma
ma without stopping anywhere for coal
al rate OF speed about twenty-five per
cent greater than the Charleston.
Admiral Dewey's cablegrams show
mat that he is able to maintain the
ground he has gained until reinforce
Ments arrive in the usual course, 80 that
me Charleston will get there in time to
serve his purposes. The stock OF am
munitton which the Charleston carries
IS believed to be the great essential just
now, the fierce engagement ut CaWte
having consumed q large part ot the
american ndmlral's shot and shell.
Ihere Ia good deal Of talk at the war
department to-day OF the possibility of
an Issue by the President Of another
.ali Tor volunteers. but careful inquiry
,ehds to warrant the statement that this
Is at least premature and that no fur
tneF call is likely to Issue until the ag-
sTeeate number Of soldiers already call
60 Tor have responded and have been
uuIy equipped for service. This laet
matter, the equipment Of the new troops,
Is the main source OF delay and prom