The herald., 1898-04-02
TOO GREAT PUBLICITY
MIGHT CAUSE MISCARRIAGE OF
PLANS
APPREHENSION IS EXHIBITED
Concerning the Arrival Of the Torpedo
?, T1ctilla, but No Steps Taken
to Intercept It


Assocateo Fress sp
WASHINGTON, April line srea'
building In which the state' war aAu 10 n'.
departments are located was anso 100.
end to end today Teiegrams cams 'ni..
md fast, and hurried conferences "et 10Y
between OFFICIALS, Out there was Sonpe.
lively little news ootaanaoie. neiore 90.
rotary Longs departure 10 .no w e|
House he saw number OF bureau enielA
and also Senator AansDrousn t.iio -'ep.o.
sentative Handy. secretary Ase. So
m interview to Senator Ffoctor .no Iep'
4sssntative Crump. Inc inofeas'ns ISL
0snoy OF the OFFICIALS not 10 impair. " 'ne
public news OF the prospecuVs mo- einens.
Of ships ana other details OF An impol .an'
character Wa responssuie Aor us appai 81
ucarcity Of news. IL 10 heit Dy tue oAlsisiS
khat too much puphoaty snouio no. 10 81. i.
IN to many OF these matters' as IL hlisn'
interfere seTtously WIN the arrans einsH'S
and intentions OF the department
THE TORPEDO FLEET
Probably no other matter is so engross-
tns the attention Of the officials as the
nrospectave approach Of the Spanish tor
nsdo fest now ON its way from the Canary
Sa1ands to Porto Rico, and some news OF
ma sighting Of the ships composing the
fleet 4 anxiously awaited Opinions differ
somewhat as to the time when the f1otilla
mould arrive at Porto Rico, which is I'M
derstood to be It's primary destination, as
lts arrival will depend very largely on the
6ondftion of the weather encountered in
;t1,e massage across the Atlantic. Strong
trade winds prevail at this time, which, IL
met by the fse., will seriously impede its
passage. But IL the conditions are favor
xbl> in all respects, 1t is believed at the
hayy department that the arrival Of the
hest at Porto Rico may be expected on the
9Th or 6th of the present month. II, on
The other hand, bad weather has been ex-
psrisnced and the ships have been put to
very severe usage, they may not arrive for
two days later. Considerable damage may
result to the ships In the course Of their
passage. and, If this is the case, it may
take several weeks to put them again in
condition for service.
Naval officers generally concur in the
opinion that there is decided element OF
danger In the presence Of torpedo feet
within reasonable distance OF our shores,
and many OF them regret that the fleet has
been permitted to come 30 far. Their light
draft and rapid speed make these boats
especially dangerous. and 1t was suggested
today that they might be able, after ieav-
ing Porto Rico' TO run unnouceo INTO Ha'
vana harbor. where they would De ma
terial ADDITION TO SPANS naval strengtn.
WILL PLAY FAIR
OFFICIALS generally dechne 10 say wnetner
any representations were mace TO spain
Win We" TO oeiayihs the departure OF
sne nees' OF Whether any acuon mas Deem
tAk@ ny OUT government iookns 10 us
'n'ofception "nie en- route Even II sucn
steps nAo oeeh taAen' the oHiciaiS say tnat
70 "aAe the.n pubic a. Inns 'in'e "oulo DC
."y unwNse s'ep' aS IL wouio in.eriere
VIZ. '4y pros.aAn lug government iau III
..au. Ive" snoulo .ne eoseliiien. oesire
: - r.e.osD. Gus sesseis wnile on .holl way
VI " Ni'o' =. - saiu a. oouio noe CONSIST
49, w ~ ~ slIo VI pe"So. 40 IL "ouio NC