Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-06-04

SANTIAGO SMELLING.
1t Proved The Wisdom Of Making no
Reckless Assault.
THE PROBLES OF MINES.
Army Engineers Interested, as Well
as Naval Officers.
CADIZ
SQUADRON
BUGAB0O.
No Belief in Report That Fleet Re-
ferred to is I'm West Indian
"Jumps" I'm Rank.

| WASHINGTON. d. c.. June IA brief
bulletin telling of Commodore Schleys
reconnaissance at Santiago on Tuesday
was all the information the Navy De-
| partment had to contribute to the press
| to-day.
The bulletin went to confirm the press
dispatches which told of the firing on the
fortifications at Santiago, but which have
been so steadfastly dlscredited ever since
the first report.
The great natural strength of the
Spanish position and the formidable char
acter of their batteries, as indicated by
Commodore Schley. have confirmed the
navy officials in the belief that they have
been wise not to expect any such reckless
assault upon the place, in the absence of
proper forces, as has been advocated in
some quarters
MINE PROBLEM.
The problem would be simplifed were
it known that there are no mines in the
channel. AS 1t is. the problem presented
has enlisted the active interest Of army
engineers, as well as the navy officials. IT
is the duty of the army engineers in this
country TO lay just such mines as are
supposed TO be in place in Santiago harbor,
and they are curious to see how their
brothers in the navy propose to go about
the work Of destroying them.
THE HOLLAND BOAT.
The owners of the Holland submarine
boat, who had proposed to 80 into San
tiago harbor and destroy the Spanish
warships at so much vessel. have come
forward with a request for a practical
test by naval officers of their craft.
A BUGABOO.
Notwithstanding the rather positive
statement coming from Jamaica to the ef-
feet that the second Spanish fleet from
Cadiz has crossed the Atlantic, and is
about TO join Cervera to-day at Santiago,
the officers of the Navy Department re-
fuse to be frightened at what they de- |
clare to he a bugabOo. 1t appears that |
the basis of their confidence is a tele- |
graphic report Of as late a date as yes
terday, declaring that the Cadiz feet is
still at Cadiz. Moreover. they know
that there are not so many as sixteen
in that feet
SIGSBEE IN WASHINGTON.
Captain Sigsbee, OF the auxiliary cruiser
st. Paul, reported at the Navy Depart
ment to-day, and had conference with
Acting-Secretary Allen.
Messrs. Thrall and Jones, the two news
paper correspondents imprisoned at Ha-
bana, and recently exchanged for Spanish
officers. were also at the Navy Depart
ment during the day.
COLUMBIA COLLISION.
Acting Secretary Allen late this evening
appointed a court Of inquiry to examine
INTO the collision on May 2Sth between
he United States cruiser Columbia and
the British steamer Foscolia, off Fire
island, which resulted in the loss of the
after vessel. The court will consist of
w. =. McCann, retired; Cap
ain George w. Sumner, Commander C.
4. Sperry, and Lieutenant Douglas Robin,
'etired. judge-advocate. 1t will meet at
Iew York next Monday.
THE MANILA PROMOTIONS.
The Navy Department found it neces-
AIRY to-day TO make an explanation of
he method it had employed Of advancing
m the naval list the captains of the yes
els engaged in the battle Of Manila
There appeared to be a great inconsis-
ency in the recommendation, Captain
Vldes of the Boston, for instance, going
p only five numbers, while Commander
Wood, of the little Petrol, jumped ten.
admiral Dewey himself went up only
wo numbers. The reason for this, ac-
ording to the department officials, Is that
number of the higher grade is worth
luch more than number in the lower
rade, so that what appears to be an in I
quality is III fact exact equality, as near
= as calculation could make it. The ad-
ance of these officers On the naval list $
as caused some very curious "skips." (
1ch, for instance, as in the case Of Cap
iin Sigsbee, Captain Crowninshleld. and !
aptain O'NeiL of the Ordnance Bureau, t
'ho were all passed over. |