The San Francisco call., 1898-06-18

It was announced in a cablegram from Madrid yesterday that upon re- ceipt of the news from HongkOng Pre- mier Sagasta was very much agitated and endeavored to conceal the bad tid- ings even from his associates until after he had imparted 1t to the Queen Re gent and the Minister of Marine It is suspected that the fleet was immediately sent east through Gibraltar Straits to create the impression among Spanish people that an effort would be made to regain the Philippines and thus avert a crisis in the internal affairs of Spain.
 But whether 1t IS a ruse on the part of the Spanish Ministry or not, no con cern is felt by the administration, for long before the Spaniards can reach the Philippines Manila will be in possession of the American and insurgent troops, the harbor mined and defended by a dozen war vessels vastly superior to Spain's squadron.
 It is understood that at the Cabinet meeting to-day the re- ported sale Of the Philippines to Germany by Spain was considered at some length. An administration official who is in position to know says that for several days the State De- partment has been in possession of information to the effect that Spain was actively engaged in neeotiating transfer of the Philippines.
 "If it be true that Spain has sold the islands," said a Cabinet official to-day, ''new and perhaps graver complications will arise l do not think there is any reason to be especially apprehensive of trouble, and. yet how such transaction would operate on the present situation in the Philippines is extremely pro- blematical"
 At to-day's Cabinet meeting the Sec retary of War was instructed to hurry the third Philippine expedition The Porto Rico invasion was discussed at some length The President expressed his disapproval of the delay in getting the Santiago expedition off, more es- pecially in the light of recent events which show that the delay caused Samp- son to make a premature landing of his marines, with results that narrowly es- caped being disastrous. The President urged the adoption of every measure that might be expected to expedite the Porto Rican expedition.
 Four transports are now anchored at Fernandina, twenty-five miles from Jacksonville, Fla, ready to take the Porto Rican invasion army. They have already been loaded with immense quantities of supplies and munitions ot war. It is believed the President and his Cabinet hope to see the Porto Rico invasion set sail within ten days. It is further believed, and on good authority, that the convoy of the Santiago expe- dition has orders to return at once to Fernandina to escort the second inva- sion army to Porto Rico
 There Is no doubt steps are now being taken by the Navy Department to organize fleet to attack Spanish commerce in European waters and make a demonstration against the Cana ries and the coast of Spain.
 The design is to organize swift and powerful fleet for this purpose. The de- partment is canvassing the question of the selection of vessels to compose this fleet, and it is expected it will be com posed of the New York, the Brooklyn, the Columbia, the Minneapolis, the Gin cinnati, the San Francisco, the Yale, the Harvard and the Newark, all fast cruisers, supported by the Oregon and the Iowa, speedy and powerful battle ships. The Oregon and Iowa are in- cluded on account of the possibility of their meeting with the Pelayo.
 This expedition will not start until after Porto .Ricohas been captured. and