Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-05-17

News.
WASHINGTON. May 16.-An order post
,5 This morning. and signed by Secretary
1opr relative TO the publication of news
,m7nstinc from the Navy Department,
ys5 the effect to-day OF considerably cur
-.,irg the supply of information that
heretofore has been rather freely given
ont. The Secretary's order was directed
70 Captain Crowninsheld. Chief OF the
>ayisation Bureau, and he in turn gave
IL effect by making an order In his own
name that persons connected with his
bureau in any capacity should have no
conversation whatever upon subjects In
ANY way pertaining to the navy with
r-uresentatives of the press. As an Off
set IL was ordered that bulletins Of such
facts as have actually occurred and are
proper for publication, and are not con-
nectsd with existing or projected move
ments, shall be prepared and posted on
lie bulletin-board.
PHILIPPINE EXPEDITION.
The sum total Of the information pub
Nshed by the bulletin-board to-day, un-
der this rule. was a notice of the inten-
tion 10 start the Philippine relief expe-
dition. and Of permission given to some
foreign neutral vessels to pass the block
sde al Habana- In explanation OF the
issue OF the order the naval authorities
say that some Of the leading American
rswspapers have been so far lacking III
pau Jtism as TO print plans OF campaign
rn5 projected movements OF naval ships
With the result that the war-board has
been Obliged to completely revise It's
plans. in the knowledge that the span
ards had promptly taken notice OF the
publications, and were prepared TO proht
bv them. 1t is not the purpose OF the
Secretary 10 prevent the press from
having any information that is not cal
culated 10 cause miscarriage OF the
plans Of the department.
OPENING or BLOCKADE.
The opening Of the blockade at Haoana
70 certain vessels is a rather curious
proceeding. that may lead TO very con-
siderable widening of the blockade ITSELF
so that in the end neutral vessels not
loaded with contraband or supplies the
carving of which into Habana would in
terfere with the naval and military oper-
ations of our government, may pass the
blockade, under suitable regulations laiu
down by the United States
The statement that the Navy Depart
ment stiIl hopes TO make an exchange OF
prisoners at an early day, shows that
the mission Of the Uncas yesterday was
ty no means a complete failure, as has
been stated.
STAY IN MANILA.
The troops going to Manila are to be
rrepared for a six-months' stay, accord
ine to the number Of rations furnished
10000 and preparations for their de-
rarture are being pressed with the great
est energy. The Charleston should have
sailed to-day from san Francisco.
The marines who have been lying in
Key West harbor ON board the Panther
sweltering in a semi-tropical sun, are
90 be transferred 10 a more comfortable
vessel the Resolute. which will easily
accommodate the SO men aboard
RLANCo NEEDS AMMUNITION.
limitations have been received mere
that Captain-General Blanco, at Habana,
is very short Of ammunition, in which
case the powerful batteries at the en-
trance Of Habana harbor, Of course
would be deprived Of a large part Of their
defensive strength. This state of affairs
may lead TO some desperate attempts
az blockade-running on the part OF the
spaniards in the hope of getting more
ammunition into Habana. 1t is believed
that the supplies 50 frequently referred
10 as being Oh the Spanish nying
squadron are Of this character rather
than food supplies, which makes 1t all
The more important that Sampson
and Schley should succeed in keep
admiral Cervera from reaching Habana'
or Clenuegos. or any port In cuba con-
nected with Habana BY rail.
SPANISH FLEET TRAPPED.
Commodore schley probably Is wen
down on the Florida coast now ana
should be able TO guard the Florida
straits bv tomorrow or next day. his /
aHpedrance on that slde Oh NuD"
enable Sampson to bring his ironciads
with perfect safety TO Cienfuesos' Oh
the southern side and with this dispos'-
ton Of our naval force. and the free use
Of considerable number Of our scouting
vessels. IL is hard TO see how the spanish
feet can escape from the Gulf OF Mexico
Or the Caribbean sea.
BETTER BATTLEsHIP ARMOk.
The Navy Department IS getting DeF
Ter quality OF armor as the contracts ex-
p.re. A l3-inch plate tested at lndian
Head Saturday with lo-inch gun showed
Itself to be equal OF superior TO any piece
OF armor that has ever been made ioi
with the highest velocity. at l'S4o 'ee'
per second. the shot penetrated ohiy
twelve inches. without cracking me pla'e'
II was the very last piece 70 be delivered
under the existing contract ana is IN
tended for the Kentucky.
EQUIPMENT or VOLUNTEERS.
The War Department Is rushing us
Preparations for the mobilization and