The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1898-06-17
UNUSUAL ACTIVITY
WAR DEPARTMENT WORKING
HARDER THAN EVER
ANXIETY FOR THE TRANSPORTS
No News Given Out, But Important
Dispatches Are Probably on
the Way
Associated Press Special Wire

WASHINGTON, June 16.-In the way of
actual events there was little to record
today. No word came from Sampson at
Santiago or from Dewey at Manila. This
lack of affirmative news from the respect
I've seats Of war gave rise to no apprehen-
sion. The officials are resting secure in the
belief that marines at Guantanamo can cas-
lily maintain themselves until the troops ar
rive. 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 g-Ye out any spe-
cific information as to when General Shat
ter will land in Cuba, but from certain
signs of restlessness exhibited by them it is
evident that they would not be surprised
to have some very important news within
the next twenty-four or thirty-six hours.
The naval officials are confident Samp-
on will re-establish cable communication
within that time, so news of the American
ships off Santiago should not be longer de-
layed than the time required for dispatch
boat to make the run of forty miles east
ward along the coast to the shores of
Guantanamo harbor, where the cable will
be working under the protection of Colonel
Huntingtons marines. There was an ex-
hibition of feverish activity at the war de-
partment today, SO pronounced as to at
tract attention, even in these stirring times.
1t was apparent that renewed efforts were
making to complete the equipment of the
troops already gathered at the concentra-
ton point, and preparations are in progress
to move number of troops. So far, how
ever. 1t is stated that no orders have gone
out for the actual movement and what has
been and is being done in that direction is
merely preparatory. Very likely definite
action will follow a conference which Sec
rotary Alger and the president will have
with General Miles when he arrives here
tomorrow from Tampa. The general is bet
ter aware of the exact state of fitness of
the troops at the southern rendezvous points
than any one else, and the president and
Secretary Aiger in all probability will be
bound by what he has to say in deciding
upon the further disposition Of troops. If
General Miles, as is thought to be probable.
recommends a further concentration Of
troops on the southern seaboard, the new
camp at Fernandina, Fla, will be made
ready for the reception of the additional
troops. The officials have been forehanded
as to this camp, profting by the experience
gained in the establishment Of the two
great camps at Chickamauga and Camp
Alger. The president has not yet decided
what measure of reward will be melted out
to Hobson for his brave achievements. The
men he led have been taken care Of. Sec
rotary Long attended to that himself, be-
cause it was a matter entirely within his
authority, and they have been made war
rant officers, the ideal Of a sailors ambi-
ton. Hobson is to be advanced, that is set
tied. The department called upon Samp-
son for recommendation in this case, but
in advance of it's arrival had about decided
to. advance Hobson ten numbers, which
would have placed him just below Con-
structor Lnnard, when doubt arose as to
whether the young man would not prefer
transfer to the line His relatives were
consulted, among them his uncle, Repre-.
sentative Pearson of North Carolina, and
It was decided to allow Hobson to make his
choice as between the line and staff. Stepa
accordingly have been taken to acquaint
him with the departments purpose and ask
his pleasure in the matter.
The navy department has sent to the bat
tleship Massachusetts, complete new
breech mechanism for one of the big 13-inch
guns Of that ship. This was due to re.
port reaching the department about week
ago that the breech of one Of the guns was
out of order. The new mechanism will be
delivered in a few days, and can be readily
substituted for the old breech. The con-
dition of this 13-inch gun gave rise to ru-
mors today that the Massachusetts, had
suffered rather severely during the first
action off Santiago, and that two Of the big
guns were disabled and gunner killed.
There was no basis for the rumor beyond
the disordered breech mechanism referred
to,