The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-05-03

OF the Matanzas batteries was the
topic Of absorbing interest throughout
naval and official circles generally to-
day. 1t was discussed on the basis
OF the press reports from hey West, as
the navy department received no infor-
nation whatever on the subject. Sec
rotary Long said at 4 O'Clock this af-
reTnoOn, as he closed up his office work
OF the day, that no report had been
received from Admiral Sampson nor
was the navy department advised in
anyway Of the Smelling Of Matan-
zas. Mr.. Long added that he felt no
disposition TO keep from the public any
news concerning such important event
as a naval engagement, or a battle.
Tn. secretary said that in the absence
nf all official information, he was in
cI.ned ITO believe that the Smelling was
confined to the exchange of a few shots
ana did not assume the proportions of
, a regular bombardment. When his at
tention was directed to reports that
the Smelling was the result of direct
orders from dhe president, the Secre-
tary said this was not so, as the pres
IttHI was ~ HO dIItNI oIuGIo ol
any of these movements.
The navy department has ceased its
purchase OF ships for conversion into
war vessels, owing to the exhaustion
OF the $50, 900, 900 war fund. 1T is con-
fidently expected that congress Will
come to the relief as the department.
is still in need of auxiliary vessels.
PORT ROYAL DRYDOCK READY.
The Port Royal drydock, according
to welcome official information, will be
accessible to our WarshipS, even the
biggest of the fleet, should they meet
with accident during the campaign.
The report from the constructor in
charge shows that the entrance to the
dock is now dredged and clear. The
work of dredging the basin is still in
progress, and while this is not absO-
Iutely necessary, it is extremely desir-
able in order to insure the safety of
the ships in docking, and the depart
ment is now fastening the contractors
in their work. They estimate that
about fifteen days more will suffice to
complete it.
NEW WARSHIPS TO BE BUILT.
The board of bureau chiefs met to-
day to begin the consideration of the
plans for the three new battleshipS au-
thOrized by the naval appropriation
bill, and progressed so far that Circu-
lars will be sent out tomorrow inviting
bids from the shipbuilders. The vessels
will be in the main very similar to the
battleShip Illinois now building at
Newport News. They will be about r.
600 tons displacement, IS feet beam, 231a
feet depth, 16 knots speed. will be COW
cred with heavy armOr and armed with
10 and 6-inch guns, in addition to num-
erOus secondary batteries.
PREPARATIONS FOR INVADING
CUBA.
A rather striking sign of the immi-
nence of the invasion of Cuba was con-
tanned in the chartering today by the
war department of eight large steam
erS of an average capacity of about
q 900 tons and able to carry from 800
to 200 passengers each. These are to
be used as transports for the convey
ance of the first military expedition to
Cuba. The names of the boats are the
Olivette and the Florida, of the Plant
Line, now in the gulf; the Southern Pa
cifC Company steamer Aranzas; the
New York and Texas COmpany'S vessel
Comal, now at New York, and the Ma
lamO, now en- route to the gulf, and
three fine ships of the Boston Mer-
chants and Miners Line, in Baltimore,
the Allegheny, the Berkshire and the
Decatur Miller. The price paid for these
vessels is from SIC, 600 to $3.50 for the
thirty days in which they are engaged.
They will be taken charge of by the
quartermaSter's department at the
earliest possible moment.
General Shafter, in command of the
United States troops now concentrated
at New Orleans has been in consulta-
ton with the officials today as to the
execution of plans of the campaign.
but the orders given to him cannot be
made public.
The president and cabinet will con-
slider tomorrow the large number Of
applications that have been made for
appointment to the posts of major gen
eral and %brigadier general and there is
some expectation that he will be able
to nominate a few of these officers to-
morrow.
LEE IN WASHINGTON.
General Fitzhugh Lee arrived here
late today after q ten days visit to his
family in Virginia. The general shared
tt keen public interest in report of the
81 cling of Matanzas. He had visited
that city frequently and was familiar
with the lay of the land and the de-
fences. He said the batteries were an
tiquated and were not likely to offer
any formidable resistance. General
Lee will call at the state department
tomorrow morning. Being still an Of
Cial. he asked to be excused from dis
Cussing the war situation, and was
very reticent concerning his prospec-
tive appointment as major general.
POWERS PROCLAIMING NEC-
TRALITY.
The French embassy has received a
cabe dispatch from the foreign office
at Paris, announcing that a decree OF
neutrality between the United States
and Spain has been ISSUED and that a
detailed copy will be forwarded by
mail. The cable notice is brief. stating
only that the decree follows the treaty
OF Paris of 1856, the state department
was advised.
The state department has also been
informed that Mexico, Argentine Re-
public, Korea and Belgium nave pro
claimed neutrality. KOrea's neutrality
is considered important, owing to her
proximity to the Philippine stands.
GERMANY NOT HEARD FROM.
I'll la.or&pnant hos hard