The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-04-29
THE HOUR
At HAND.
Armed Forces Soon to
Invade Cuba.
TRANSPORTS READY
Eight Large Steamers Chartered
by the Government.
The SMELLING OF MATANZAS
1t Was Not Ordered by
the President.
PORTUGAL WILL BE NEUTRAL.
The Assurance Has Been Given, and
the Spanish Fleet Must Leave the
Cape Verde Islands-Gcrmany
Suhl Silent, But There is Lit
tie Doubt That She. Also,
VIII Prove Neutral.
Austria Has Not
a. Yet Made
Known Her
Course.
PORTUGAL WILL BE NEUTRAL.

WAsHINGTON. d. c.. April 2S.-The
shcung OF the Mdtanzas batteries was
the topic of absorbing interest through
out naval and official circles generally
today 1t was discussed ou the basis
of the press reports from Key West as
the Navy Department received no inior-
nation whatever on he subject ScCrc-
tary Long said al . o'clock This evening,
az De closed mp his office work for The
day. that no report had been received
from Admiral sampson. nor was the
Navy Department advised I'M amy way
of thc shclliug of Mlt1uZ1s. Secretary
Long added, that Doe felt no disposition
20 keep from the public any news con-
coruiug such an important event as
naval engagement or battle.
The Secretary said that in the absence
of all official Information he was inclined
90 believe that the sheitng was confined
10 the exchange of few shots and did
not assume the proportions ot regular
homtardmert. When mis- attention was
directed Co reports that the Smelling was
the result OF direct orders from the
President. the Secretary said this was
not $50 ass the President was not giving
any direct orders ON any of these move
merts.
FIFTY MILLION GONE.
The Navy Department has ceased its
purchase Of ships for conversion into
war vessels owing to the exhaustion of
the 100000 war fund 10 SIS confidently
expected that Congress will come to the
relief as the Department S. stl .n need
or auNilisry vessels.
The Port Royal dry dock. according 90
authentic Information win hc accessible
10 our warship even the biggest of The
fleet should they meet with accident dur
ing the campaign THE report from the
constructor i'm charge shows that the
entrance 20 the dock is now drcdged
and clear. The work of dredging the
basin is still in progress and while TINS
is not absolutely necessary 10 is extreme
ly desirable iu order 90 insure the safety
of the ships in docking and the Depart
mcnt is endcavoT,ug 90 hasten thc ccn-
tractors in their work. They estimate
that about fifteen days moro Will SUE
fee 60 complete So
THREE NEW BATTLESHtPS.
The Board of Bureau Chiefs met To-
day 90 consider the plans FOR the three
new batltship- authorized bv thc naval
apprC priati1n bin and progressed go lar
that circulars viii be sent out tomorrow,
inviting bids from The ship-bulders. The
vessels will be in Che main very similar
to the baltIeship Illinois, row building it
NeWport News. They viii he OF about
1850 tons jisp,acemnt % feet beam
g1-2 feet depth Do knots speed. Will he
covered with heavy armor and armed
with l3 6iurh guns in addition 20 NUM-
erous secondary batteries.
IL can De stated aulhoratvcly that
there ls mo- present prospect OF "a change
in The head of the Navieation Bureau.
STEAMERS CHARTERED.
A rather striking Sign % the immi-
uonce of the invasion of Cuba was con-
talucd m The cnarter.ng to-day by the
War Department OF eight large steamers
OF an average capacity of about 20lo tons
and able 10 carry from 600 90 1900 uas-
seucers each. Those are 10 Doe Used as
transports for the conveyance OF tho
first military expedition Go CUBA. Ine
names of thc boats are The OIiNetto ana
the Florida ~ the Plant Line, row in
the gulf. tho s0uT.ern Pacific Company
steamer. AT1nzIst the New York and
Texas Company vessel CQmal, row 1t
New York. and Tao Malamo. now in the
gulf and three Boston Merchants and
Miners Line in Baltimore. thc Allegheny
fhe Berkshire aru Che Decatur Miller.
The price paid for these vessels is from
N00o0 20 sl500 for the thirty days n
which they are cngagcd They Viii be-
taken charge o. ty tlo Qudrtcrmastet
department 40 tne earliest possible mo-
meut
General schafter in command OF the
United states troops now concentrated al
Ney Orleans. has been in consultation
with the officials to-day ar Co the eNecn-
tion OF plans for the campaign. but the
orders given to hirn cannot he made pub-
u, The President ahd Cabinet win c0n-
-ider tomorrow tho large number Of ap-
pucations that have been modo Tor an
roiotment 90 the posts OF Niajor-General
cnd Brieadier-Gcreral end there is some
o,pectafion that he VIII DE- able GO nom-
sretc n s.g ~ these officers tomorrow
TFE TN WASHINGTON.
General IIfzhugh Lee arrived here to-
6av aftsr ten DAYS visit 10 h's family
in Richmond Va. The "enefal shared the
,loer rubllc interest iu tho shelllng OF
sfatanzas. He had visited that city frc-
ouentlv and was familiar with the lay
- the land and the defences. Hc said the
hatteries were antiouoicd ARD were not
iikeiv 10 offer any formidable resistance.
rene,al Lee wnl call ag ths state Denott-
n,ent tomorrow morning Ecmg stui an
fContinued on Seventh Psge1