Evening journal., 1898-05-19
THE OREGON SAFE.
q a4-fs.s
BattleShip Is Nearing the
End Of Her Long
Journey.
IN CARIBBEAN WATERS.
May Join Simpsons Fleet Within a
Day or Two.
NO NEWS OF THE OPPOSING FLEETS
Sail For BInnilIa-Alabama Launched
nj Cramps and Christoned with
Alabama Wine by Miss Morgan.

oAil TOT hhhilih- Aihpaiha Ahuheheu
nt Cramps and Chrlstoned with
Alabama Wine by Miss Morgan.
WASHINGTON, May 19-Secretary
Long gave out tho welcome information
yesterday that the battleship Oregon.
the second largest craft I'm the Ameri-
can navy had successfully completed
her long trip from san Francisco, maxi
ing the entire circuit OF South Ameri-
ca and was now safe. Whether or not
she has Joined Admiral Sampson's fleet
the secretary would not say. Tho rigid
secrecy Of the navy department was re-
laxed only enough TO make known the
best news the navy department had re-
ceived since the battle Of Manila, as
it meant not only that the Oregon was
out Of harms way from a concerted at
tack on this one ship by the whole
Spanish squadron now in southern wa
ters but also that her great fighting
strength would be added % Admiral
Sampson's force in the near future, If
indeed II had not already augmented
the admiral's strength.
The Oregon left San Francisco about
slx weeks ago. before the war had
opened. and at that time Il was not
admitted that she was to join the ships
in Atlantic waters. She stopped at Call
lao for dispatches and then went
around the Horn and then up the east
coast OF South America. In all the trip
covered more than 1900 miles The
last stretch, from Bahia 10 the Wind
ward Islands. has been followed with
anxiety by naval officials. for, by a
strange coincidence. the formidable
Spanish squadron Of armored cruisers
and torpedo boats approached the
Wlndward islands at the very time
when the Oregon was due there
II had been suspected that the Span
ish admiral would try to intercept the
battleship with his superior force, and
before leaving Bahia Captain Clark Of
the Oregon was warned 10 keep q close
lookout for the Spanish foet.
In reply, Captain Clark expressed his
confidence In belng able TO hold his own
single handed with the Oregon against
all the Spanish cruisers. The only ap-
prehension ne felt was as to the tor
pedo boats under tho Spanish admlrars
command. for these are new and
practically unknown element against
the modern battleshlp. aud Captain
Clark. while confident ~ holding out
against these also. said chance blow
might be struck by them. Notwith-
standing Captain Clark's assurances,
the navy department continued TO feel
that a meeting between the Spanish
squadron and tho American battleship
on such unequal terms was far from de-
Hirahle and might bring most serious
results. For this reason tho official in
formation reaching the authorities yes
terday was a source of most hearty con-
graduation. Where the report came
from was not made known. but the
mere fact that Secretary Long regards
the Oregon as safe makes II evident
that she has passed well 70 the north
ward Of the Windward islands.
Aside from this bit Of information.
Secretary Long said at the close of
Office hours yesterday that there was
no further news 70 be given out. Dur
ing the day the bureau OF navigation
issued a bulletin summarizing Com
mander McCalla's official report on the
recent engagement at Cienfuegos and
adding some minor features on the
prospective exchange OF prisoners, etc
These bulletins are not proving OF Inn
pOrtant news value, although they are
all practically that comes from the
navy department with it's official ap-
proval. Late in the day Secretary Ions
Joined the war board which had beer
in session some hours. 20 participate
in the discussion Of Its plans. which
are believed TO have been materially
modified by the news received from IN,
Oregon
The cruiser Charleston. which started
yesterday on her long Journey 10 NEE
Admiral Dewey at Manila, should ar
rive there in about "a days. allowing
couple of days at Honolulu for coal
Nothing better illustrates the value o.
the swift, long range cruisers of tn
type that make up the Spanish hyini
squadron than the fact that they woul,
be able TO make such a run as this di
rectly from San Francisco TO Manill;
without stopping anywhere for coal a
a speed about 20 per cent greater thai
the Charleston Admiral Deweys ca
Diagrams show that ne is able TO main
tain the ground he has gained until re
endorsements arrive i'm the usual course
30 that the Charleston will get there il
time to serve his purposes. The stoc
OF ammunition which the Charlesto
carries is believed TO he the great es
sential just now the fierce engagemeu
at Cavite having consumed a large pai
of the American admirals shot an
she'll
Some little disappointment is felt q
the navy department at the slngula
accident that happened TO the revenu
cutter Gresham. when one section
the ship was thrown into the st Law
renee. 1t Is said that the treasury a.
partment is responsible for the deliver
Of the ship TO the navy in blue wate
The treasury it appears. however MAD
a contract with a private concern Z,
the conveyance of the ship through n
system Of Canadian locks and canal
and this individual is believed to
thoroughly responsible. The immedia
effect, however, win be the loss 10 Il
navy Of a very efficient little gunboat
There was a good deal of talk at II
war department yesterday Of the po
sibility Of an issue by the president
another call for volunteers but caref
inquiry tends TO warrant the staceme