Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-07-02
AT THE WHITE HOUSE
All Sorts of Rumors About Yester-
days Engagement.
HOSPITAL SHIPS And SUPPLIES
All That is Needed Will Be Hurried
to Shafter.
XIETY FOR NEW

Before noon today a hundred wild rumors
were Gf1cat around the White House as to
the condition of affairs at Santiago. They
were got in all parts of the city. some de-
irving their beginning in the War De-
partment and going from mouth to mouth;
corgressmen repeating them and asking
for the facts.
The most alarming of these was that
Gen. Skaters army had been flanked and
was in a critical position. A congressman
VINO repeated this story said 1t had been
given him by an official in the War De-
partment.
The stories created the greatest anxiety
ard were given some color in view of the
fact that Secretary Alger was then en-
gagged in protracted conference with the
President, and that Assistant Secretary
Meiklejohn and Surgeon General Stern
berg of the army had gone hurriedly to
the White House to participate in confer
ences.
Secretary Alger left the White House at
1 o'clock, and Immediately killed all the
wild stories by saying that no information
had come that General Shafter was in dis
tress. To the contrary, the Secretary said
he had every reason to believe that the as
sault on Santiago was proceeding steadily
and successfully.
Hospital Ships and Supplies.
Secretary Alger said that he had been
talking over the general situation with the
President and arranging to send hospital
ship, surgeons and supplies to General Shat
ter. 1t had beea decided to at once dispatch
hospital ship, well provided for its work.
Pending the arrival of this ship. General
bofr rrx-in ha tel nh Cd tn hold
of the transport ships as he sees fit and use
ttem as hospital ships. Secretary Alger
also arranged with Secretary Long to allow
the army to use the Solace, now with the
lazy at Santiago.
There are eighty army surgeons with
Gen. shafter, and they will be able to han
Ole the wounded until the arrival of more
surgeons said Secretary Alger.
Cause of the Heavy Losses.
Gen. Alger was asked If he thought the
heavy losses in yesterdays engagement
were due largely to the shells from the
Spanish ships. He said that he would like
to know of this himself. He could not be-
leve that the Spanish infantry or artillery
could have inflicted such losses. 1t is also
believed that prostrations from thu heat
and over-exertion will make up a consider
able portion of the loss.
When the runors were flying that Cen
eral Shafter had possibly met with some
reverse Representative Fleming Of Georgia
was at the White House. II do not be-
lieve any such story" he said, "but If it
should prove true the Spaniards will rue
the day they reaped any advantage. Men
will spring from behind every bush in this
country to go to the front to avenge our
soldiers l will leave Congress and go
without enlisting. If necessary"
Senator Hanna was another caller during
the day. He was cool, but anxious for
news; confident of the outcome, but eager
to know the result
Numerous Visitors.
The President had numerous visitors dur
ing the day, and spoke to nearly all OF
them Of the latest information in his pos
session. Every news bulletin during the
day was handed him by Captain Montgom-
cry just as soon as it could be taken from
the wires.
Secretary Alger first went to the White
House about 10 o'clock, but then had no
news. 1t was after the receipt of General
Skaters dispatch that he returned for a
long conference with the President.
Anxiety Over Transports for Manila.
There is some anxiety in administration
circles about the non-arrival of the first
expedition of soldiers to Manila, but this
will not become acute for several days. 1t
is realized that the time for making such
trips Is always underestimated. a slight
accident to any of the ships might have
delayed the expedition. A storm might
have carried them out of their course.
II the next dispatches from Admiral
Dewey do not report the arrival of the
ships President Mckinley will be greatly
worried. He has not lost sight of the
Manila situation during the excitement Of
the last two days.
Secretary Alger is not alarmed. He is
hopeful that the American forces will have
control of Manila on July 4, at the same
time believing that Gen. Shafter will cele-
brate the 4th in Santiago.
1t is probable that the day will be glor-
ious one for Americans and the American
troops in remotely separated parts Of the