Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1898-05-13
FROM WASHINGTON.
Correspondence Of the Alexandria Gazette
WASHINGTON. May l3.

House the war bill relieving holders OF
mineral claims from the necessary as
sessments during service in this war
and one Of similar scope giving home
steaders leave OF absence and II dis
charged for service wounds deduct
ing their full term OF enlistment from
the required FIVE years homestead resi-
dence.
The navy department was al excite
ment this morning upon the receipt OF
the news that Admiral SIMPSONS
squadron had begun the bombardment
of San Juan de Porto Rico, and fuel
was added to the flames when the news
came later that the Spanish flying
squadron had been sighted of Martini
que. giving promise of heavy fighting
10 come. 1t is surmised that Admiral
Simpsons object in making the attack
10 this fashion, without landing force
of troops in reserve TO occupy the town
it were captured, was to destroy the
Notifications and make the harbor use
less to the Spanish flying squadron as
place of refuge. The reports SO far re-
ceived show that he did not com
plete that undertaking yesterday.
Sampson already knows OF the move
uents of the Spanish squadron, for the
Uni;ed States scount Harvard which
out iato Martinique yesterday is said
to have found there one OF the torpedo
des. rogers composing the Spanish feet
and certainly would report the fact to
Sampson via St. Thomas if possible to
do so. There is a suspicion, however,
that the United States has not been
treated with perfect fairness in the
matter OF the use Of the cable from
Martinique and that messages OF the
utmost Importance, such for instance
as those reporting the movement OF the
Spanish shipz, have been delayed an
uncouscionable length OF time to the
grea. embarrassment Of our forces. 1t
is suggested that the Spanish squadron
has been lying in wait for the Oregon,
which with the Marietta and Nicthe-
roy sailed on the 18th from Bahia to
ioin Sampson. aud the reported activity
of the Spanish torpedo boat destroyers
in running in and ont of Marliuique
seems to show that they are being used
as scouts to give the rest on the squad
ron notice OF the approach OF the Amer
lean battlesbip.
The navy personnel bill, the source
of agitation throughout the navy for
years aud efec ing complete reorgani-
ton OF that service, has been agreed on
by the House committee on naval af-
fairs and will be reported to the House
in few days. By it toatswains, gun
ners, carpenters and sailmakers shall
after ten yeas from Gate CT warrant be
commissioned chief boatswains, chief
gunners, chief carpenters and chief
sailmaker5 to rank with, but after,
enggns.
The Cabinet meeting to-day lasted
only thirty-fve minutes. The news,
which is regarded as entirely authentic,
is that the Spanish fact has been sighted
off Martinique Island about $50 miles
southeast of Porto Rico. None of The
members doubts the ability or purpose
of Admiral Sampson to destroy it, as his
feet is superior at nearly ali points.
The information that the Spanish
squadron has been sighted off Marti-
nique caused decided sensation
throughout raval circles as this brings
close to Admiral SIMPSONS squadron
the formidable collection of Spain's
strongest and most modern vessels Il
IS this feet which was reported to be
lying at Cadiz. Evidently the latter
report was inspired by Spanish strategy
Martinique is French Island lying $50
miles east OF Porto Rico and 700 miles
from tie eastern coas. OF Cuba. 1t is
one OF the outposts of the West Indies
and is the natural point at which the
Spanish fleet, coming from Cape Verde,
would first make landing. 1t must
now pass the French Island Of Guada-
loupe to the west, the Danish Island Of
ST. Thomas, little further west, and
then its course is open to Porto
Rico unless Admiral SIMPSONS
feet engages it before that move
is made. As they stand now the
TWO fleets are about 500 miles apart,
which by hard sailing of both fleets
would cover one day, or by the sailing
of one feet would bring them togeth-
er in two days. The Spanish squadron
is made up of seven first class ships, OF
which four are armored cruisers and
three destroyers. This ia as near the
exact strength az can be stated, for the
reports from Cape Verde and from
Cadiz have caused much doubt as to
the exact strength of the Spanish
squadron. But, allowing for the tor
pedo boats aud other craft returned to
Cadiz, there is little doubt that the
Spanish squadron off Martinique has at
least seven wal ships of formidable d.
mansions.
A caucus OF House democrats to con-
slider the Hawaiian annexation resolu
ton may be held early next week. a
large majority Of the democrats oppose
annexation.
Direct orders were given General
Miles this morning suspending for the
present the movement of the invading
army upon Cuba. General Miles there
fore has postponed his departure for
the South and it is announced authori
tatively by War Department officials
that it cannot be stated with definite.
ness when General Miles will leave.
W. K. Alexander, who was yesterday
nominated for assistant quartermaster,
with the rank Of captain, is from Camp.
bell county, Va, aud is 8 son of the
late clerk of the court there. None OF
the members Of the House from Virgin.
ia knows anything about j. W. Haight,
also of Virginia, who was nominated for
assistant adjutant general, with the