The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-05-01

| ''osA'ueeobs <APii ov-Au iuttTSSt
to-day was concentrated on the Philip
| pines. though it seemed almost hope
less to expect any news from that
point. which is for the present at least
the critical point Of naval operations.
Indeed, one high official well versed
i'm the plans of the strategic board de-
clared that upon the result of the en-
gagement which Commodore Dewey is
expected to have had with the Span
ish feet to-day or within a day or two
at least might depend to an extent the
outcome of the war.
When Secretary Long left the navy
department he had received no word
from Commodore Dewey nor from any
point i'm the East He had been very
busy during the day. and the same
thing was true of Secretary Alger,
both being obliged to give up the great
er part of their time to senators, rep
resentatives and other persons of sup
posed influence seeking to secure the
appointment of constituents to places
in the army and navy. Secretary Long
received a dispatch from Admiral
Sampson relative to the shelling of
Matanzas batteries. but had no in
formation whatever as to the reported
attack upon Cardenas yesterday. The
impression prevails at the department
among those who are not taken into
the secrets of the naval war board
that the moves of Admiral Sampson
are of strategic character and not
accidental happenings. as might be
supposed from their apparently spon-
taneous character
Key West is evidently to be made a
base of the first order OF Importance
so far as the fleet is concerned, other
wise Secretary Long would never have
called upon an officer OF such high
rank as Commodore Reemy to COM
mand the station. The commodore has
been relieved at the Portsmouth navy
yard. New Hampshire. by a retired Of
hcer of equal rank. Two more retired
officers of high order OF ability are
to be called into active service Mon
day In the persons of Naval Construc-
tors y. w. Steele and w. L. Mintoyne
The board Of bureau chiefs is now
engaged In preparing the advertise
ment calling for the construction of
torpedo boats and destroyers. BY a
special provision of the naval bill. the
advertisements will run only three
weeks instead of three months, as is
usual. The department will describe
only the general characteristics of the
torpedo boats, leaving the builders the |
submission OF plans for their construc- |
tion. Chief Constructor Hitchborn said |
to-day that when the department has
placed the contracts for the vessels |
authorized by the pending naval ap- |
preparation bill. the government will !
have under construction at one time a !
greater number of vessels than IL ever
has had before since the war. and a
greater tonnage in the aggregate than
at any time during the civil conflict.
There will be not less than 36 vessels
altogether thus placed under construc-
tion. three battleships. 16 torpedo boat
destroyers. IL torpedo boats, four coast
defense monitors and one gunboat on
the lakes. The honor Of being fleet en-
gfneer OF the mosquito fleet has fallen
to a retired officer. Chief Engineer
Alexander Henderson. who IL now a
business man Of New York,
but has consented to sacrifice his per-
sonal interests to fight in the navy.
More electricians are wanted in the
navy and the secretary. to-day directed
a special recruiting station to be
opened at the Washington navy yard
at o'clock Monday to recruit the cleo
tricians.
The Chinese minister. Mr.. WI Ting
Fang. called at the state department
to-day and had a talk with the offi-
cials concerning the war situation He
did not bring a notice of China's neu-
trality, nor has he received word thus
far from his government that China
will declare her neutrality. The au-
fhorities here would not be displeased
II China withheld her decree a month
longer. as such course might be of dis
tinct advantage to the United States in
,ase Commodore Deweys fleet fails to
Effect n landing on the Philippines and
s obliged to seek some open port
With an American fleet in Asiatic
waters II becomes hazardous unless a
,ellieerent is captured or a neutral port
remains open.
Up to to-day all countries occupying
.astern Asiatic territory had declared
neutrality except China. The notice of
Korea was given two days ago thus
losing the port OF Chemulpo. Japan
rave notice to-day. thus closing all
Japanese ports. including Yokohama.
which IL the most advantageous harbor Z
n Asiatic waters and nearer the Philip
Zines than any other port The British |
md French DEGREES closed Hong Kong
md ports of British India and French |
ronquin. When WI Ting Fang was
cen at the Chinese legation tonight, ,
Ie said that. having received no notice
4 China's neutrality. he presumed none
lad been issued by the imperial gov
At the same time he had
oticed press dispatches that the Amer
ran feet left Mrs bay. which is a Chi
ese possession. owing to a condition of J
The minister says this con-
ition. n made. was given by the vice