The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1898-06-18
THEDEARTHOFNEW
No Word Received from Admiral
Sampson or Dewey.
GIVES RISE TO no APPREHENSION.
Certain Signs of Restlessness Exhibited by
Officials of the War Department In
dictate that Important News Is
Expected Very Soon.

WASHINGTON, June 17.-In the way
of actual events there was little to re-
cord yesterday. No word came from
Sampson at Santiago or from Dewey
at Manila. This dearth of affirmative
news from the respective seats of war
gave rise to no apprehension. The
officials are resting secure in the be-
lief that the marines at Guantanamo
can easily maintain themselves until
the troops arrive. and the worst that
can be feared at Manila is not harm to
Dewey, but to the Spaniards in the
city.
The officials in the war department
do not give out any specific informa-
tion as to when Gen. Shafter will land
in Cuba, but from certain signs of
residences exhibited by them it is evil
dent they would not be surprised to
have some very important news within
the next "a hours or SO hours. The
naval officials are confident Sampson
will have established cable connections
within that time SO that news of the
arrival of the American troop trans
ports off Santiago should not be longer
delayed than required for a dispatch
boat to make the run of 40 miles east
ward along the coast to the shores of
Guantanamo harbor where the cable
W | be working under the protection
O. oil. Huntington's marines.
There was an exhibition of feverish
activity at the war department yester-
day. SO pronounced as to attract atten-
ton even in these stirring times. 1t
was apparent that renewed efforts
were making to complete the equip
ment of the troops already gathered at
the concentration points. and that
preparations are in progress to move a
number OF troops.
SO far. however. it is stated that no
orders have gone Out for the actual
NJ rrInent and what has been and is
beng done in that direction is merely
preparatory.
Very likely definite action will fol-
low ii conference which Secretary Al
ger and the president will have with
Gen. Miles when he arrives here to-day
from Tampa. The general is better
aware of the exact state of fitness Of
thu troops at tht southern rendezvous
points than any onc else, and the preSi-
dent and Secretary Alger in all proba-
biiity will be bound by what he has to
say in >deciding upon the further dispO-
sition of troops.
If Gen. Miles, as is thoLght to be
probable. recommends Il further con-
cEntration of troops on the southern
seaboard. the new camp at Fernan-
dina. Fla. will be made ready for the
reception of the additional troops.
The officials have been fOrehanded as
to this camp. proiting by the expert
ence gained in the establishment of
the two great camps at Chickamauga
and Camp Alger.
The president has not yet decided
what measure of reward shall be melted
out TO IIobSon for his brave achieve
ment. The men he led have been taken
care of: Secretary Long attended TO
that himself. because it was a matter
entirely within his authority. and they
have been made warrant officers, the
ideal of a sailors ambition. Hobson is
u he advanced. that is settled.
The departments called upon Ad-
mlral Sampson for Il recommendation
in this case but in advance of its ar
rival had about decided to advance
Hobson ten numbers. which would
have placed him just below Constructor
l. 3n&rd. when Il doubt arose as to
y srthcr the young man wouid not
pr.. rr Il transfer TO the line. His rela-
ties were consulted. among them his
uucic. Representative Pearson. of
North Carolina. and it was decided to
a low HoDSon to max his choice as be-
tween the line and staff. Steps ac-
cordingIv have been taken to acquaint
h;m with the departments purpose
aud Isk his pleasure in the matter.
I'hc navy department has sent % the
battleship Massachusetts Il complete
r..y brecch mechanism for II of the
l. l3-inch guns of that ship. This is
Gu to a report reaching the depart
about Il week ago that the breech
one CT the guns wa out of
order. The new mechanism will
lee delivered in a day or two
am., can he readily substituted for
the old brcech. The condition of this
Il nch gun gave rise to rumors yes
terday that the Massachusetts had suf-
rather severely during the first
of Santiago and that two of the
big guns were disabled and "A gunner
There was no basis for the ru-
mo: beyond the disordered breech
mechanism referred to.
NEUTRALITY PROCLAIMED.