Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1898-04-28
war SITUATION LAST NIGHT.
Affairs on the Cuban Coast Satisfactory 10
Washington Authorities.
May be n Battle mt Manila within Two
Days Confidence that Americans
VIII win-Othcr News.

Washington, April 27.-The war stu
alton Is substantially this: The
biockading squadron remains passive
before Havana with no present pur-
pose OF bombarding or OF drawing the
fire of the shore batteries. The strategic
purpose of an effective blockade of the
Cuban capital is being accomplished
to the entire satisfaction OF the author
tiles here There IL no indication that
part of the fleet will be withdrawn
for the purpose of affording additional
protection to North Atlantic ports.
As TO the reports of the imminence
of naval battle Off the Philippines,
the naval authorities here seriously
doubt whether the Spanish fleet will
make stand against the American
ships. Their reason for this belief is
that the Spanish fleet is very interor
to the American force under Admiral
Dewey.
The department therefore is satisfied
that the Spanish fleet will not go to do
battle on the high seas with Admiral
Dewey. but VIII remain In port to Sc
cure the protection of the batteries of
Manila, and the department Is not ex-
peoting an engagement for about two
days.
Without giving any explanation for
setting this time. the department al
lows 1t to be surmlscd that the esti-
mate Is based on its knowledge Of Ad-
miral Deweys whereabouts.
There is no certainty that there will
be an engagement ut all in the imme-
date future, the main purpose of the
American expedition being to seize and
| hold some suitable Spanish territory
! in the Philippines as base of opera
| tions. 1t is thought this can be done
| by not attacking Manila at all, by SELF
| ing some convenient point on the ISL
| ands.
No word had come to the depart
| ment up to the close of office hours of
the arrival of the Montzerrat at CT
| onfuegos. The officials are inclined to
| believe that II she has got in that
port she did so before the blockade of
| Cienfuegos had begun.
| The very fact that the Madrid Off
cials have rather ostentatiously de-
clared that the Spanish fleet has sailed
to lombard the cities of the North
American coast is taken as a certain
indication at the navy department of
the utter improbability of such a
movement. If this were contemplated
the Spanish officials would be the very
last to make their purpose public.
The navy department as yet has
made no arrangements for the care of
prisoners taken by our warships, but
the local officers of the department
think they should be sent to the Bos-
ton naval prison.
Some vexation was felt at the In
jury sustained by the Cushing. 1t
is said that this IL the first serious
breakdown she had suffered in the nine
years of her service. Luckily. the de-
partment VIII be able to replace her
very shortly, for President Malster OF
the Columbian iron works called at the
navy department this afternoon to an
nounoe that the torpedo boat Mckee
n twentyknotter, would be ready for
trial tomorrow. She will be sent al
once to Norfolk to have the finishing
touches added and then will join the
squadron.