Evening journal., 1898-06-10
THE MYSTERIOUS SHIPS.
Vessels Seen Of Cuba Were Part Of
Our Own Fleet.
MARINES MAY HAVE BEEN LANDED
Believed In Washington That sampson's
Soldiers Have Begun the Invasion.
Whereabouts OF shafter Unknown.
Progress on the New Warships

Whereabouts OF shafter Unknown.
Progress on the New warships.
WASHINGTON, June 10.-It became
apparent yesterday afternoon that tho
war department, through the energetic
Offices OF It's censors. had succeeded en-
tirely In It's purpose TO keep the move
ments Of tho United States troops Sc
cret. for beyond question at the close
Of the day II was impossible TO learn
here where are the United states troops
which had been for weeks gathering un-
der command OF General Shaftor In
Florida
Stories OF tho appearance OF mysteri-
GUS warshlps in Cuban waters floated
through the navy department during
the day. The officers quickly condemn
ed them. declaring that II the boats
were Spanish they were nothing more
than small armed launches and not TO
be feared by any number Of transports
conveyed by such fine gllnboats as the
Helena and Bancroft. But when these
stories reached tho war department
they were received In a different spir-
H. Nothing - moro helpless in warfare
than an unarmed troop transport fun
Of soldiers. She would fall an easy vie
tim TO the smallest gunboat, ana the
soldiers. knowing their weakness IN this
respect. are loath TO undertake TO cross
the Florida straits until these disagree
able visitors have been removed from
tho pathway. Without respect TO the
character OF tho strange craft that arc
said 20 bo douging the blockaders at
Havana. they win DO removhd from the
scene Of action In short notice. as It IS
understood that Sampson has been
made acquainted with tho situation and
Will bo expected TO redeem his promise
70 provide safe conduct 70 the army
when called upon. Ho has ample force
TO conduct tho operations at Santiago
TO successful issue and stlll spare yes
sells of any power desirable for use I'm
the Florida straits
It was pointed out yesterday by a
naval officer that the admiral since the
arrival OF the marine battalion on the
Panther has at his disposal what he
may regard as a sufficient force OF men
70 capture Santiago even before the
troops arrfVe. The 500 marines on the
POnther, added 20 tho marines already
with the fleet. would mako a total OF
about 1000 men. Without impairing
tho efficiency Of his ships. Admiral
Sampson could spare 1000 bluejackets
for landing party. and with this
total force OF $500 men. n the insur-
gents who have been armed By tho
United states government DO their
share, Il seems possible FOR Sampson TO
capture Santiago at short notice. There
seemed TO be very decided air OF ex-
pectation yesterday afternoon among
the officials who are acquainted with
the governments plan In the campaign
that almost warranted the conclusion
that an engagement OF some kind was
expected yesterday.
Steady progress is making upon the
ships under construction by the govern j.
mont at tho several navy yards as re-
vealed by the monthly reports from the
various yards 10 Chief Constructor
Hichborn. On the battleships the Now
port News people are ahead, having the
ISoarsarge and Kentucky 50 per cent
advanced toward completion. and the
Illinois ~ per cent. Cramp q Sons re-
port the Alabama % per cent along, and
the Union Iron works have progressed
ss per cent with the Wisconsin.
Ten torpedo boats are now actually
under construction and have been com
pleted TO the following extent: The
Rowan &c knotter building by Morar
Bros, Seattle, sS.5 per cent: the DahI-
greu. 30 knotter building at the Bath
Iron works Bath. Me. 70 per cent: the
7 AZ NJ. Craven. 30 knotter Bath Iror
works, Bath. Me-. so per cent; the Ear.
ragut, 30 knotter, Union Iron works
San Francisco. so per. cent; the Davi,
and Fox. 22.5 knotters. Wolff & Zwicker
Portland, Or SS and 50 per cent, re-.
spectively; the Mackenzie. 20 lxnotter
Charles Hillman. Philadelphia, 30 pei
cent; the Stringham. 80 knotter, Harlar
& Hollingsworth, Wilmington. Del, I.
per cent; the Goldsborough. 30 knotter
Woln & zwicker, Z per cont: the Bailey
30 knotter Gas Engine and Power com
pany. New Jersey. 2h per cent.
The submarine boat Plunger. bufdin.
at the Columbian Iron works. Baltl
more similar In many respects to TIN
Holland. is said TO be 70 per cent ad
Vanced