The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-05-23
DAY AT WASHINGTON DULL.
REPORTED BATTLE OFF HAYTI
DECLARED A FAKE.

Doines at Navy Department Indicate
II Firm but Cautious Movement.
Nevt Naval Encounter May Decide
,be warden. Otis VIII Probably
accompany the Expedition to the
pbiIippines-NO Exact Information
os to Whereabouts of Fleets.
Tbrcats to Cut Galveston Cable
considered Amusing.
washington, May 22.-The rumors of a
Great naval battle, current last night,
re disposed of by the navy department
s.rIv to-day in the following official bulle-
tin:
mo truth in the published statement
concerning an engagement off st. Nicholas
Mole Hayti, in which twelve Spanish
ships were sunk
This was posted not only for general in
formation. but also to quietathe alarm
among relatives and friends of those on
board the American ships. AS rule, the
department adopts the cautious phrase
ology of stating that no official information
has been received but to make assurances
double sure in this. case the department
declared there was no truth in the reports.
This indicates that the official Information
Is such as TO warrant the statement that
the American and Spanish squadrons have
not met.
The bureau Of navigation, navy depart
nnent. where official dispatches are receiv-
ed. was open throughout the day, but the
officials were engaged on routine work,
and there was no evidence of that activity
which would attend the receipt of impor-
tant information, nor of that keen expec-
fancy which would indicate the near ap-
proach of the two fleets. In the absence
of exact information as to the location of
the fleets, this serenity in naval circles
was fair Indication that the official ad-
vices did not give promise of an immediate
engagement.
1t is evidently the view of the war board
that an engagement, if it can be brought
on, will be decisive of the whole war; and
there is no purpose to allow such momen-
tous results to go off on a fuke, or on
too precipitous move In Difference to public
pressure for results, but to move firmly
yet cautiously, and insure victory when
there is a fight
Army headquarters was as busy ae on
week days, as the moving of large bodies
of men gives scant time for Sunday rest.
An extended dispatch was received from
San Francisco giving the final details of
the embarkaton of troops for the Phil
ippines next Tuesday. 1t stated that the
City of Pekiug, the Sydney and the Aus
tralia. would sail on that day with the
First Regiment of California volunteers,
the First Oregon volunteers, one officer
and fifty men from the heavy artillery
of the California volunteers, making in all
125 officers and 24O0 men, under Brig. Gen.
Thomas Anderson.
Although Gen. Anderson takes charge
OF this command, it Is understood that
Gen. Otis, who is in San Francisco, will
accompany the expedition. The Peking
was originally secured by the navy de-
partment, but as she is so large and
serviceable as a troop ship, the army is
using her in conjunction with the navy
Beside the troops, she will carry supplies
and ammunition for the navy.
Gen. Miles spent the morning in his Of
ace. In answer to inquiries, he said there
was nothing to announce as to his own
plans or the concentration of troops in the
South.
Secretary Alger called at the White
House at 1880 O'clock, and was with the
President for fifteen minutes. Later the
President, accompanied by Myron T. Her.
rick of Cleveland, who, with Mrs. Her
rick are guests at the White House, went
to church. Up to this time the White
House had received no war information
OF Importance.
Secretary Day and Assistant Secretary
Nrldler were at the state department part
OF the day, but 1t was said by those in
authority that no word of Importance had
oeen received from our consular officers
IN the West Indies. They would be aboul
Ihe hrst to report an engagement in that
The report from Madrid that the Off |
clais there threaten to cut the cable from |
galveston if our ships isolate Blanco by |
cutting cables at Santiago are received |
win much amusement by officials familiar !
WIN cable routes. The cable from Gal |
weston runs to Vera Cruz and other Mex |
ieah ports. 1t is so far west that the |
spanish admiral could not reach il with |
out phenomenal run, and if he succeeded |
IN cutting IL there would be no strategic |
auNahtage against the United States. as |
mess