Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-05-01

The NEW WARSHIPS PROVIDED FOR.
! Larger Number Than Uncle Sam Has
Had Building Since 1868.
cHryVs POSITION on NEUTRALITY.
IL HAS Not Yet Been Declared, and
We should lie Obliged IL China
Would simply Say Nothing-POrtu-
gal Now Neutral Officially.


today was concentrated on the Philip
r,res. though 1t seemed almost hopeless
2. expect any news directly from there
vaich IS. for the present. at least, the
critical point OF naval operations. In
deed one high official, well-versed in the
mans OF the Strategic Board, declared
that upon the result Of the engagement
which Commodore Dewey is expected to
have had with the Spanish fleet to-day,
ar 90 have within a day or two. at least,
might depend 20 a considerable 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 In the East
Secretary Long received a dispatch
from Captain Sampson relative TO the
fhenng Of the Matanzas batteries. but
had no information whatever as to the
reported attack upon Cabanas yesterday.
The impression prevails at the Depart
mcut among those who are not taken into
tie secrets Of the Naval War Board that
these moves Of Captain SIMPSONS are of
strategic character, and not mere hap
1euings as might be supposed from their
apparently spontaneous character.
KEY WEST AN IMPORTANT BASE.
Key West is to be made base of the
first order Of importance, so far as the
feet is concerned. Otherwise. Secretary
Long never would have called upon an
officer Of such high rank as is Commodore
Remey 10 command the station. The
Commodore had been relieved at the
Portsmouth navy-yard. n H., by re-
tired officer.
Two more retired officers of a high or
der Of ability are TO be called into active
service Monday, in the persons of Naval
Constructors r. W. Steele and w. l.
Mntonyo.
The Board Of Bureau Chiefs is now
engaged in preparing the advertisements
calling for the construction OF torpedo
boats and torpedo-boat desroyers. BY
special provision of the naval bill, these
advertisements will run only three weeks,
instead of three months. as is usual. The
department will describe only the gene
Ill characteristics Of the torpedo-boats,
leaving to the bidders the plans for their
construction.
THIRTY-SIX NEW VESSELS.
Chief-Constructor Hichborne said to-
day that when the department shall have
placed the contracts for the vessels au-
thorized by the pending naval appropria-
ton bill. the government viii have un-
der construction at one time a greater
number of vessels than it has ever had
before since the civil war. and a greater
aggregate of tonnage than was in service
during the civil conflict. There will be
no less than thrty-six vessels altogether
thus placed under construction-three
battleships. sixteen torpedo-boat destroy
ers. twelve torpedo-boats, four coast-de-
fence monitors, and one gu,boat on the
lakes.
The honor of being fleet engineer OF
the numerous mosquito fleet. which is
expected to be one Of the main-stays In
the defence Of the Atlantic-coast cities,
has fallen 20 a retired officer Chief-En-
eiueer Alexander Henderson, who is now
& prosperous business man I'm New York,
but who has consented 10 sacrifice his
personal interests TO tight in the navy.
More electricians are wanted in the navy,
and the Secretary to-day directed that
special recruiting station be opened at
the Washington navy-yard at l o'clock
Monday. 10 recruit these electricians.
CHINA's POSITION IMPORTANT.
The Chinese Minister. Mr.. WI Ting
Fang. called at the State Department
today. and had a talk with the officials
concerning the war situation. lie did
not bring a notice of China's neutrality,
nor has he received word thus far from
hts government that China will declare
neutrality. The authorities here would
lot be displeased If China withheld her
decree altogether, as such a course
might be of distinct advantage to the
United states in case Commodore De
views feet fails 10 effect a landing on
ha PHILIPPINES. and is obliged 10 seek
some open port. With an American Meet
in Asiatic waters. the situation becomes
hazardous. unless a belligerent port is
captured, or a neutral port remains open
Up TO to-day all countries occupying
Western Asiatic territory had declared
neutrality. except China alone. The no
uce Of Korea was given two days ago.
thus closing the port Of Chemulpo. Japan
gave notice to-day thus closing all OF
Japan's ports. including Yokohama,
which is the most advantageous harbor
in Asiatic waters, and nearer the Phil
!pues than any other port. The British
and French DEGREES closed Hongkong and
the ports Of British India and of French |
IouQun.
WHERE WE MISSED 1T.
The authorities here feel that the |
United States would have profted much |
iy securing a coaling station from China |
during the recent controversies which |
lei TO Germany's securing Kiao-Chou
bay as coaling station. Russia securing |
Port Arthur, and England securing Wei
Hoi-WeL There is good reason to be-
heve that the friendly spirit OF China to-
ward the United States would have made |
u possible for the United States to Sc
cure the harbor Of Mrs bay, or some
o'her advantageous point on the Chinese
coast
AZ the present time, however, II Is said
nat China could not voluntarily grant
tach coaling station without assuming
distinctly hostile attitude toward
Spain.
China's neutrality decree may be Issued
any day and yet the delay is in no way