The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-04-28

WASHINGTON, April 2'.-rhe var
situation is substantially this: The block
aiding squadron remains passive before
Havana with no present intention or
bombarding or Of drawing the fire OF tho
shore batteries The strategic board
states an effective blockade OF Cuba Is
being accomplished TO the entire salts
faction Of the authorities here. There 10
10 indication that a part Of the neet
Will be Withdrawn for thc purpose OK
: ffording additional protection to North
Atlantic ports.
As TO the reports OF the immintnce OF
a naval battle OF the Philippine Islands,
the naval authorities here seriously doubt
that the Spanish fleet will make a stand
against the American ships Their rea-
son for this belief is that the spanish
feet Is very inferior In number and
quality to the American force under Ad-
mlral Dewey The Navy Department..
therefore. Is satisfied that the Spanish
fleet viii not give battle on the high seas
with Admiral Dewey. but will remaln
In port to secure the protection OF the
batteries Of Manila, and consequently an
engagement Is not expected for about
two days
BATTLE NOT IMMINENT.
There is no certainty that there VIII DO
an engagement at all In the immediats
future. the main purpose OF the American
expedition being 10 seek and. hold some
suitable Spanish territory In the Phillip
pines as a base OF operations In Astatic
IL a.
done without attacking the Spanish iiest
at all by seizing a suitable port on some
adjacent ISLAND without fortihcations. the
sympathies OF whose inhabitants are with
the Insurgents No word has come 10
the department up TO the close OF offtca
hours OF the arrival OF the Montserrat at
CientuegOs The officials are inclined TO
believe IL the ship has gotten into that
port shc did SO before the blockade or
ClenfeugOs had begun.
The fact that the Madrid officials have
rather ostentatiously declared that the
Spanish feet has sailed 10 lombard ths
cities on the North American coast, -
taken as an indication I'm the Navy De
partment OF the utter improbabiiity OF
such "A movement. III this was contcm-
plated the Spanish officials woaId be the
very last persons to make their purpose
public.
THE CUsHING's INJURY.
Some vexation was felt at the injury
sustained by the Gushing. Luckily. tho
department Will be- able 70 replace her
very shortly, for President Malster. OF the
Columbian Iron Works. called ut the
Navy department this afternoon 10 an
nOuncc that the torpedo boat Mckee. q
20-knot boat. would be ready for trial to-
morrow. She will be sent at once to Nor
folk To have the finishing touches added
and then Join the squadron.
in the War Department there ~ a
growing BELIEF that the campaign proper
in Cuba will not he I'm full swing before
next fall. when the rainy season has
ended. That belief, however has not
prevented the officers whose duty IL Is TO
get the troops together from pushing
their work with the greatest energy.
Thus. within twelve hours after the Hull
bill became a law, the Department was
able TO begin TO send out circulars pre-
scribing the methods to be followed in
recruiting the regular army up 10 It's full
war strength OF 6i.0c0 men. The enor-
nous amount OF work involved in thus
increasing the army. regular and volun~
teer, has caused General Miles 10 aban>
don his southern trip for the present.
VOLUNTEERS APPEAL.
Tho officials OF the Department were
overwhelmed to-day with all sorts ot
protests and appeals against their action
in making the assignments Of troops
among the volunteer forces and many
chages may be looked for.
The State Department posted notice
to-day stating IL had been officially ad>
yfsed OF the issuance of neutrality orders
by Italy. the Netherlands. Switzerland.
Norway, and Sweden. gussHia and Co
mmbia. To these should be added Great
Britain that country having issued a nee-
trality proclamation. although the state
Department has not yet been cfacisiIy
notified OF the fact. II Is supposed Aiso
that tho official notice Of Frances neo-
trality will be received I'm to-mcrrouso
press dispatches. as an agreement vnG
reached AZ the Cabinet Ceuncis a. Fexe<
Including France. four oai et the siY
great Powers cf Europe have d<<fsr~&
their neutrality. namely Great krt(At1>
France. italy and Russia.
Tho remaining great powere I'D