The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-07-12

w ElOlY July
called a council of war today to meet
at the White house, the purpose being
TO review the situation and learn ex-
actly what the present conditions are
and what changes, if any, should be
made to the plans for the future con-
duct Of the war. According TO one of
the members present, it was decided
to abide by the plans already laid, at
least as to the general conduct of the
campaign. Confirmation seemed to
have been given to this statement
later in the day, when after a con-
ference with members of the war
board, Secretary Long announced to
the waiting newspaper men that he
had ordered Admiral Sampson to de-
tach from his own command immedi-
ately the vessels to be embraced in
Commodore Watson's eastern squad
ron and to direct the commodore to
proceed on his mission. The vessels
of the squadron will not be the same
as those originally selected, for the
reason probably that the recent en-
gagement with CerVera's squadron
necessitated some changes. The new
eastern squadron will consist of the
battleshipS Iowa n Oregon, the pro-
tected cruiser Newark and the cruiS-
ers carrying side armOr) Dixie, Yam
kee and Yosemite, the GOLFERS Aver
enda, Cassius, Caesar, Leonidas and
Justin and the supply boat DelmOnicO.
The Iowa, Oregon and Newark are all
in the south with Sampson. SO is the
Yosemite. The Dixie is at New York
and the Yankee at Tompkinsville. The
GOLFERS are at Hampton Roads with
the Delmonico. The ships are to sail
as soon as they can coal and supply.
They will not be required in the case
of the southern vessels to come north,
which would mean the loss of several
days, but will start directly from the
points where they are now located.
The order provides that each ship
shall make her Nay across the At
lantic to a marine rendezvous, which
will be designated i'll sealed orders to
prevent its exposure to the slightest
possible danger from the enemy, and
the most hat is known is that it will
be at some point off the Spanish coast.
It probably will not be long after that
before the American squadron will be
in full pursuit of Camara with his
remnant of the Spanish navy. Mean
while the gathering Of the American
fleet off the Spanish ports is expected
to have a SOLDERING effect upon the in
named people. Inc nulHDeI ol COi-
Tiers accompanying the expedition is
evidence thai a long cruise lies ahead
of it and that our naval authorities
propose to be caught in no such posi-
ton as was Camara at Port Said and
be obliged to submit to a refusal of
cOaling privileges.
CAMARA STILL AT SUEZ.
A telegram received at the state de-
partment this afternoon announced
that Camara was still lying with this
squadron at SueZ, the southern and
eastern entrance to the canal. Inc
torpedo boats OSeda, PrOSerpina and
Audaz. which were yesterday reported
at PharO, Portugal, arrived today at
CadfZ. their home port. Admiral Dewey
has been notified of all these move
ments.
This afternoon came a telegram
from General Shafter to the war de-
partment as follows: 'In the name of
the sick and wounded officers and men
under my command, I hank Mr.. j. w.
Mackay for the ice sent us"
Much of the difficulty experienced in
supplying the troops or the battletieids
still lies in the transportation depart
ment. General Shafter has reported
that in spite of his appeals he has re-
ceived as yet only one lighter, the
Laura, and this is able, under the best
conditions, to carry ashore supplies
for only one day for the army from
the transports lying far out at sea.
What might happen in the event or
bad weather can be conjectured.
THE PHILADELPHIA TO SAIL
FOR MANILA.
The necessary orders were given
during the day to start the Philadel-
phia for Hawaii carrying admiral Mil
Ter with a notice of the action of the
United States government and direc-
ton to United States Minister Sewell
to take formal possession in the name
of the United States. The Philadel-
phia is selected because she is the best
United States warship available for
the purpose on the Pacific coast. The
Hawaiian legation here has taken
steps meanwhile to get the earliest
news to Honolulu through tele-
grams to their consu at a Francis
eco, who will dispatch them on the Cop
tic today.
GENERAL MILES STARTS FOR
SANTIAGO.
Major General Nelson A. Miles, COM
-manding the army, accompanied by
the entire staff of army headquarters,
left tonight for Charleston, S. c.,
whepe the party will embark for San
tiage. They left owe the Southern
railroad at 1913 o'clock p. m. At the
same time Lieutenant Colonel Michiey
and a large staff of headquarters
clerks. who have been in Tampa, will
come north to Charleston and join the
party. The start will be made from
Charleston on the first steamer avail
able after the general and his staff ar
rive. This may be either the Yale or
the Columbia, which are taking on
troops there. IF the troops are ready
TO start before the party arrives they
will go on, and the general will follow
on the Resolute or n Of the other
steamers to sail after the Yale and
Columbia. 1t is expected that the par
ty will be at Santiago the early part
of next week.
General Miles has no other purpose
in going to Santiago than to look over
the military situation, and to strength
en- the hand of Shafter. There is no i'm