The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-07-07

July b.-bN comparison
with what has gone before. to-day was
very quiet at the war and navy de-
partments. There were bulletins posted
in the former department, but there
were none of more recent date than
yesterday. and so far from indicating
an impending battle. the general ten
dency of these bulletins was to show
that no forward movement is in abso-
lutte immediate contemplation. Deep
concern is felt here at the deprivations
and sufferings of our troops lying in
trenches and in field hospitals sur
rounding Santiago. and there is every
where disposition to insist that here
after haste shall be made slowly and
that the equipment of our soldiers,
their commissary and quartermaster's
supplies, their ammunition and their
hospital stores shall be complete in
every respect before they advance fur
ther. This is likely to be the rule. even
at the expense of time and in the face
or the criticism of the element that
has been vehemently insisting upon
rushing the campaign without regard
to cost in blood and money.
Confidence is felt that there will he
no friction between the army and navy
commanders. and that the conference
between them will result in an agree
ment on joint plan for the prosecu-
ton OF the campaign. In the event that
this belief should not be well founded.
the president is prepared to act himself
hX orders frnpa han
much of force in the argument that IL
Sampson is obliged TO enter Santiago
harbor before the forts are captured
he will jeopardize the whole of the IRON
clad fleet under his command, since by
the sinking of one of these ships in the
narrow channel through a Spanish
mine or shell the fleet would be left
helpless and exposed to destruction un-
der the guns OF the forts, to which they
could make no reply, owing to the ele-
walton of the latter. on the other hand
the army officers seem to be justified in
avoiding the tremendous sacrifice Of
life that would be involved in again
trying our soldiers upon the Spanish
defenses until they have been material
ly reinforced In numbers and strength
ened by artillery.
Sampson did not report to-day to the
navy department, but the war depart
ment sent over a very agreeable mes
sage from Shafter announcing the rea-
diness Of the Spanish to exchange Hob
son and his men. IL was believed that
this was accomplished some time dur
ing the day, though notice of " has NOT
yet been received.
The fact that several of the vessels
selected for Watsons fleet were in the
fhink of the an Of It1lxy 2
ised to delay somewhat the departure
of the eastern squadron for the shores
OF Spain. The vessels have consumed
a good deal OF coal and doubtless have
expended large quantity of their high
est grade of ammunition in the furious
attack on the steel warships of the
Spanish. 1t will be necessary to re-
plenish these stores before so long d
voyage can be begun. However. Sec
retary Long has given rush orders for
the preparation Of this squadron. and IL
certainly will be off in the course of
few days.
The movements of the Cadiz fleet are
very puzzling to our experts here. Weak
ened as it is by the sending back Of the
torpedo boat destroyers, the Spanish
squadron bound for the Philippines
seems destined to go to as sure destruc-
tion as did Ceryera's unlucky ships
when they headed westward from the
Cape Verde islands. The Spaniards are
without doubt fully aware of the in
feriority of their fleet. and why they
persist In sending IL to be sunk in the
Philippines Is a mystery. The depart
ment was advised to-day that the
squadron was passing through the Suez
canal. and as the vessels must have
paid the heavy toll required in advance,
the indications are now regarded as con-
elusive that the ships are actually
bound for the Philippines. This belief
stimulates the preparations here for
Watson's sailing. He will strike
straight after Camara. who, in the end.
Is doomed to be caught between Watson
and Dewey.
The report that the fine ship Yankee
lying at Tompkinsville, just from Cuba.
had yellow fever, caused a good deal OF
worry at the department until Captain
Brownson telegraphed during the day
thai there was absolutely no fever on
the ship and that she was not in quar-
antine.
Secretary Long regarded the report
that the Alphonso XII. had been de-
stroyed while trying 10 run the Havana
blockade as the best news of the day.
II had not come 10 him in a direct Off
cial way. but through a report from
General Greeley. chief signal officer.
who had received a cipher message
rlhNluS bEirUg lndN the spanish snip
had been overhauled near Mariel while |
trying to get through the blockade. and
was total loss as a result OF the fire
upon her. Both the secretary and
General Greeley regarded the report as
authentic, but there was a desire 20 |
get more details. as this has been some |
thing OF speculation.
The Alphonso Mi. is an iron gunbost. |
with one screw, one funnel and one |
military mast. barqus rigged, go feet /
long. 43 feet beam and Is feet draught. |
She has a displacement OF 5000 tons |
she had a speed OF l. knots at short |
distances, and an average speed OF Ia /
knots, and carried Is large guns. five |
machine guns and tive torpedo tubes. |
Her officers and crew numbered $40.
Secretary Long is quite hopeful that |
several OF the Spanish ships Of the /
Cervera squadron can be saved in part /
al least. and possibly as a whole. The
contract with the Merritt Wrecking /
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