The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-06-10
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WEAR AN AIR OF EXPECTANCY.

WASHINGTON, June 9.-It became ap-
parent this afternoon that the War De
partment through the energetic offices OF
It's censors has succeeded entirely in It's
purpose TO keep the movements OF the
United States troops q secret, for be-
yond question az the close of the day 1t
was impossible TO learn here where the
United states troops are which had been
for weeks gathering under command Of
General Saafter ia Florida.
Stories of the appearance Of mysterious
warships I'm Cuban waters hoated through
the Navy Department during the day.
The officers quickly condemned them, de-
claring that 81 tho boats were Spanish,
they were nothing more than small arm
ed launches and not TO be feared by any
number of transports conveyed by such
fine gunboats as the Helena and San
croft But when these stories reached
the War Department, they were received
with a different spirit
TRANSPORTS HELPLESS.
Nothing is more helpless I'm warfare
than an unarmcd troops transport fun or
soldiers. She would fall an easy victim
10 the smallest guuboat and tle soldiers.
KNOWING their weakness in this respect
nre loath TO undertake the crossing OF
the Florida straits until these disagree
able visitors have been removed from
the pathway.
Without respect 10 the character OF the
strange craft that are said 10 be lodging
the blockadcrs at Havana. they will be
removed from the scene of action In short
notice. as 10 is understood that sampson
has been made acquainted with the situa-
tlon and will be expected to redeem MS
promise 20 provide safe conduct Tor the
army when called upon.
AMPLE FORCE.
Iie has ample force 10 conduct me
operations al Santiago 10 a successful
issue and Still spare vessels Of any
power desirable for use in the Florida
straits.
IL was pointed out to-day by a naval
officer that the Admiral since the arrival
OF the marine battalion on the Panther
has az his disposal what he may regard
as a sufficient force of men TO capture
Santiago even before troops arrive. inc
$40 marines on the Panther. AIDED TO the
marines already with the heet, would
make a total Of about 1900 men. With
out impairing che efficiency or MS SHIPS
Admiral Sampson could spare lV0 blpe
Jackets for "a landing party and with this
total force Of 25oO men. n the insurgents
who have been armed by the United
States Government do their share II
seems possible FOR Sampson 10 capture
Santiago a. short notice
AIR OF EXPECTANCY.
There seemed to be a very decided air
of expectation this evening among OF
fcials who are acquainted with the gov
ernments plans I'm the campaign that
almost warranted a conclusion that an
engagement of some kind was expected
to-day
steady progress s. making upon the
sbips under construction by the govern
ment al the several navy yards. as ne
vesled by the monthly reports from the
various yards TO Chief Constructor Hich-
horne ON Tho battlcships the Newport
Nevys people are ahead. having the kear-
saree and Kentucky IS per cent. ad-
yanced toward completion, and the Hi
nois Is per cent; Cramp sons, the
Alabama. 80 per cent along and the
Union Iron Works have progressed 5S
per cent. with the Wisconsin.
TEN TORPEDO BOATS
Ten forpcdO boats are now actually un-
dor construction and have been COM
nletod 10 The following extent; The
Towan &c knottcr building az Moran
prothcrs. Seattle. 9S.5 per cent the
pahlgrcn. 30 knOttcr. building az the
Bath Iron Works. Bath, Me- % per cent
the r. A. NJ. Craven. 80 knotter Bath
Iron Works. Bath. Me- 10 per cent; the
rarragut. 90 knottcr. Union Iron Works
san Francisco so per cent; the Davis
and Fox. 225 kno.ters, Woln and Swiok-
er Portland. oregon, 81 and ~ per cent
respectively. the Mackenzie, ~ knotter'
Charles Hilmau Philadelphia ~ per
cent. the Sfringham. 20 knotter, harian
snd Hollingsworth. Wilmington, Del, 2s
per cent. the Goldsborough. 30 knotter.
Woln and Swicker. 2 per cent; the
Bailey. 20 knotfer Gas Engine ana
Power Company. New Jersey. il per
cent
The submarine boat Plunger build
<nR A. the Columbian Iron Works, Balu-