The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-05-23
ENGAGEMENT DENIED.
No Truth IN the Reported Meeting
Of the Hostile Fleets.
ALL is SERENE IN NAVAL CIRCLES.
No Indication that Battle Is About
to Take Place.
NO CHANCES TO BE TAKEN.
1t Is Felt that Decisive Victory
NiIl End the Var.
EXPEDITION TO THE PHILIPPINES.
Troops win Leave Tuesday on the
city of Pekin and Australia.
Binnco Is R.diculed.
o CHANCES TO BE TAKEN
1t Is Felt that a Decisive Victory
NiII End the Var.
EXPEDITION TO THE PHILIPPINES

WASHINGTON. May 90 The rumors OF
great naval battle current last night were
disposed OF by the navy department early
today in the following official bulletin
No truth in the published statement cor
corning an engagement off Mole ST. Mich
olas, Hayti. in which twelve Spanish ships
were said to have been sunk.
This was posted not only for general In
formation but also to quiet the alarm
among relatives and friends OF those on
board the American ships. KS a rule the
department adopts cautious phras oloSy
stating that no information has been re
oeyed bu, to make assurance doubiy sure
in this case the department declared there
was no truth" in the reports This indl-
Gates that the official Information Is such
us to warrant the statement that the
American and Spanish squadronB have not
met
The bureau OF navigation. navy depart
ment. where official dispatches are re-
ceived was open throughout the day but
the officials were engaged on routine work
and there was no evidence Of that activity
which would attend the receipt Of import
ant information. IN the absence
of exact information as to the
location Of the fleets this serenity
IN laval circles was fair ndi-
cation thai the ofhclnl alyces did not give
promise OF an Immediate engagement, 1t
is evidently the view Of the war office that
the engagement, II IL can be brought on,
viii be decisive OF he whole war ana there
is no pnrpose 70 allow Huch momenious re-
suits to 80 or on fluke, or on tou
precipltous move IN Difference to the pun
lie pressure Tor results but to move firmly
Yet cautiously and insure victory when
there Is a fight
Army headquarters were as busy as on
week daya, as the moving OF large bodies
OF men gives scant dine Tor Sunday rest.
An eStended dispatch was received from
San Francisco giving tho final details OF
the clnbarkallon OF troops for the Philip
pines next sunday Il stated thai the Cily
OF Pekin and the Australia viii sail on
that day.
Although General Anderson takes charg,
OF the command II is understood thai
General Otis, who II IN Dan Francisco, VII
accompany the expedition.
bHHGfDi Miles spent tNd AhNshiHh ~ h'
office. but 10 answer TO Inquiries said iher
was nothing 20 announce a. to his plan
or the concentration OF troops In the Souti
Secretary Alger called nj the Whit
House at 10 30 a. m, and was with ID
president fifteen minutes Later tho pres
dent and Mr. Myron Herripk OF Cleyelan
went 10 church. lip 20 this time Il
White House received no war informoti'
OF Importance,
Secretary Day and Assistant sccreta
Cridler were az the state department IA
Of the time but II was said by those
authority that no word OF importance h
bnen received by our consular officers
The West Indies. They would be aba
the trst TO report an engagement In III
locality
Tee report from Madrid that tho Of
clais there threaten to cut the cable FRI
Galveston II our ships isolate Banco
cutting tho cables at Santiago are receiy
with much amusement by officials fnmil
with the cable routes The Galveston en-
runs TO Vera Cruz and other MexlC
ports II Is 20 far west that the Span
admiral could not reach II without
phenomenal run. and II he succeeded
cutting II there would be no strategic
vantage against the United States. as
line Is rarely used for government b,
ness