The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-04-28
The F'Ork8 R0kUrn8d
The Fire Of th0 F'I00t
The Engagement began at 1857 and Lasted Until lib
The Fleet escaped Without Scratch--'Ac-
compished Their Purpose.

before Havana with no present purpose
of bombardng, or of drawing the fire
of the shore batteries The strategic
purpose of effective blockade of the
Cuban capital is being accomplished TO
the entire satisfaction of the authori-
ties here There is no Indication that,
a part of the fleet will be withdrawn
for the purpose of affording additional
protection 10 North Atlantic ports. As
to the reports of the imminence of Il
naval battle off the Philippine Islands,
the naval authorities here seriously
doubt whether the Spanish fleet will
make a stand against the American
ships. Their reason for this belief is
that the Spanish fleet is very inferior
in number and quality to the Ameri-
can 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 will remain in port to secure the
protection Of the batteries of Manila
and consequently an engagement is not
expected for about two days
There is no certainty that there will
be an engagement at all in the imme-
diatc future, the main purpose Of the
American expedition To seize and hold
Philippines us base of operation in
Asiatic waters. IT is possible that
this can be done without attacking the
Spanish fleet at all. by seizing a suitable
port on some adjacent island, without
Notifications. the sympathies of whose
inhabitants are with the insurgents.
No word had come to the Department
up to the close Of office hours of the
arrival of the Montscrrat at CienfuegoS.
The officials are inclined TO believe that
if she has gotten in that port she did
so before the blockade of Cienfuegos had
begun.
The very fact that the Madrid of
fcials have rather ostetatiously declared
that the Spanish fleet has sailed to
lombard the cities on the North Ameri-
can coast is taken as n certain indication
at the Navy Department of the utter
improbabiity Of such a movement II
this were contemplated the Spanish Of
ficials would be the very last persons to
make their purpose public.
Some yeXation was felt at the injury
sustained by the Gushing. Luckily, the
Department will be able to replace her
very shortly, for President Malster, Of
the Columbian Iron Works. called at the
Navy Department this afternoon to an
nounce that the torpedo boat Mckee. a
twenty-knotter. would be ready for trial
tomorrow. She will be sent at once to
Norfolk to have the finishing touches
added and then will join the squadron.
In the War Department there is n
growing belief that the campaign proper
in Cuba will not be in full swing before
next fall when the rainy season has
ended. That belief. however. has not
prevented the officials, whose duty it is
to get the troops together, from push
ing their work with the greatest energy.
Thus. within twelve hours after the
Hull bill became law, the Department
was able to begin to send out circulars
prescribing the methods to be followed
in recruiting the regular army up to
its full war strength of 61,O00 men.
The enormous amount Of work involved
in thus increasing the army. regular and
volunteer has caused General Miles to
abandon his Southern trip for the pres
cnt.
| The officials Of the Department were
overwhelmed to-day with all sorts of
protests and apDears against their ac
tiou in making the assignments Of troops
among the volunteer forces and many
changes may he looked for.
! Inc Stalp department posted a nOIlcc
to-day stating it had been officially adj
vised Of The issuance of neutrality ord
crs by Italy. the Netherlands. Switzer-
land. Norway and Sweden. Russia and
/ Columbia. TO these must be added
Great Britain. that country having issued
a neutrality. although the State De-
partment has not yet been officially ad-
yised of the fact. 1t is supposed also
! that the official notice of Frances neu-
trality will be received by tomorrow, as
press dispatches announce that procla-
/ nation was agreed upon at yesterdays
! Cabinet council at Paris. Up to to-
| night. however. the French Ambassador.
] NJ. Cambon, had not received any notice
/ Of such proclamation.
Including France. four out OF the six
| great powers Of Europe, have declared
their neutrality, namely, Great Britain,
France. Italy and Russia. There re-
main of the great powers Germany and
Austria. neither Of which have yet act
ed. The delay of Austria does not
cause surprise. as Austrias sympathy
with Spain is more pronounced than that
OF any other country of Europe. 1t Is
not doubted, however that Austria Will