Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1898-05-27
IT IS TO BIZ DESTROYED
THE coOPlNG UP is NOT SUFFICIENT.


Washington, May 27-At the close of
the cabinet meeting today 1t was au-
thoritatively stated that although the
government had no official information
ON the subject, there was no reasonable
doubt that Admiral Cervera's fleet was
in Santiago harbor and that Commo-
dore Schley was on guard at the en-
trance. Although the information upon
which this belief is based is regarded
as entirely trustworthy. the govern
ment will make no important move or
change its plans in the absence of d.
rect confirmation from official sources.
1t was also stated that any contem-
plated movement against Cuba or Por-
to Rico would be held in allegiance I'm
til the Spanish fleet was either de-
stroyed or otherwise rendered helpless
to seriously interfere with our plans in
any direction.
The cabinet discussed the situation at
length, but nothing of great conse-
quence was decided upon.
The work OF equpping and mobliz-
ing the volunteer army will be pushed
with all possible vigor, with view TO
being in perfect readiness for any call
that might be made when the Spanish
fleet shall no longer be serious fac
tor in the war problem.
All the members of the cabinet were
present except Attorney Genral Griggs,
who is at HON in New Jersey.
When Secretary Long started for the
cabinet meeting today he was without
information in addition to that pos
sessed yesterday morning as to the
a,,tp g.ft Ia Haa tr, I.sI IN
dies. Notwithstanding the repeated
statements that the navy department
had been in communication with Com
modore Schley off Santiago, the secre-
tary stated that he had not received
any message from Commodore Schley
since his brief report made several
days ago from another point in Cuba
Therefore the department is in exactly
the position 1t has occupied for the last
few days, so far as its knowledge OF
the fleets goes; 1t is heard through I'M
official lit is hoped reliable) sources
that the fleet is in Santiago harbor,
and that Schley is lying in wait out
side.
The department having waited as
long as dignity seemed to require for
news directly from the squadrons. II
is believed 1t has now taken steps to
consequently 1t may be expected at any
moment that some of the dispatch
boats or scouting vessels will bring
news of the squadron to one of the
cable stations. probably in Haiti, for
transmission to the navy department..
There was revival this morning of
the almost daily rlnor that Gen.,
Miles was about to depart on his trip
to Tampa, which is, of course, con-
strued to mean the direct beginning of
the invasion of Cuba.
AS a matter of fact there Is Just as
much foundation for this statement to-
day as during any day In the past
week: The commanding general has
had a special car ready for himself
and staff lying In the Pennsylvania
railway station in this city. ready to
start at moments notice for Tampa
He, himself, has been anxious to de-
part for many days past and has been
restrained only because conditions We're
not ripe for the movement. When that
time arrives n start will be made. but
whether 1t will be tonight or a week
hence, is absolutely NOT known at this
moment even to Gen. Miles himself.
The calling of the conference at the
White House yesterday led to the re-
vival of the rumor of an Immediate
movement. upon Cuba and Porto Rico.
1t may be stated, however, upon the
best authority that 1t has not been fin
ally decided when to begin the Cuban
invasion and. so far as Porto Rico is
patton of that island at all or not
In other words, the plans are in a
tentative state, subject to alterations
at any moment as conditions develop.
Another rumor, which was revived
today with some degree of plausibility,
related TO certain attempts on the part
of representatives of European powers
to secure peace through direct repre-
sensations to the United States govern
ment AS was the case with
like rumors, this was abso-
lutely denied by the state
Europe through the ambassador nor at
Washington have the officials been ap-
preached on the subject, The story Ia
believed by the officials to be perhaps
In the execution of policy of inquiry,
with view to sounding public senti-
ment In this country as to the terms
of peace that probably would be ac-
ceptable. The conditions mentioned in
these stories-the retention by Spain of
the Philippines and Porto Rico in re-
turn for the release of Cuba-represent
the very minimum offer that might be
expected from the Spanish side. but as
most peace treaties are In the nature
of compromise bargains 1t cannot be
supposed of course that that is the
maximum price Spain expects to pay
for her Indulgence in losing war.
The navy department Is making
READY Tor tne purchase OF NUMBER OF
small steam craft to supplant the mos
quito fleets on the coast. The chief of
the mosquito fleet Admiral Erben, at
New York, has submitted to the navy
department list of over 100 such craft
which have been examined and found
suitable. The department was pre-
vented from making any purchases on
this score because II lacked the neces-
sary authorization, but now that Con-
gress has passed and the President ap-
proved an act appropriating 100000
for the purchase of such vessels, 1t will
begin at once to acquire them. They
are needed very badly not SO much for
scouting purposes as for the protection
of the elaborate mine fields which the
engineer officers have laid in almost
all Atlantic ports,
The reckless conduct of the COM
manders of vessels entering and emery
ing from these ports has determined the
authorities here to deal summarlly
hereafter with persons who disregard
the repeated warnings the local engi-
neers have given the shipping crossing
the mine fields.
The small vessels viii all be armed
and any vessel disregards their
warning and interferes with the mines
or even jeopardizes their workings they
will pay the penalty.
Germany Keeps Neutral.
Berlin, May 27.-U. s. Ambassador
White liz greatly pleased at a fresh evil
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