The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-05-21

WASHINGTON. May so.-sa CT the news
that was given out today at the navy de-
partmens was comprised In the one short
bulletin posted at the close OF the day.
stating that the department had iniorma-
ton, believed 10 be correct. that Admirai
Ceryera, with his lying squadron. was q
Santiago de Cuba. This went to corhrm
the newspaper reports and also the Madrid
cabiegrams published this morning. the lat
ter a rather unusual circumstances for the
Spanish bulletins have been notably de-
ceailve ever since the flying squadron left
Cadix.
Accepting this statement as correct. Il
indicates that there Is little probability OF
a hostile meeting between Sampson and
Schley and Admiral cervera Immediately.
Looking over the charts of Santiago har-
Dor the war department soon discovered
that the place would be a veritable
trap for the Spaniards, with Its narrow
entrance. In which a single American mon
.tor could blow up the whole Spanish fieet.
The naval strategy board, rechristened OF
most active and valuable members. In the
person of Capt. Barker. He leaves WASH
ington tomorrow sar Hampton Roads. 70
take charge OF the fine protected cruiser
Newark, which has just been extensively
repaired at the Norfolk navy yard 1t u
expected that the Newark win Join Samp-
sons squadron in the West Indies as soon
as she can get there.
Another loss TO the department win oc-
cur tomorrow when Lieut.. Gsbbon leaves
to serve as one of Capt. Barker's officers
on the Newark. This young officer has dis
played the greatest energy In securing for
the services OF the navy the various naval
military organizations OF the state. and as
incident to that work he was obliged
to put forth his best efforts TO secure the
formation OF new organizations. whore
none existed. and additional battaiions In
the states that already possessed naval
militia. The great value of this work is
shown by the fact that many If the ves-
sels of the auxiliary navy and most OF the
old monitors that have been commissioned
for coast defense purposes, are manned
almost altogether by the navy m.litiamen.
Preparations go on steadily for the
Philippines military expedition. Gen. Mer-
ritt who will command. stopped in WASH
ingten this morning on hfs way westward
from New York, and spent most or the
day in consultation with the officials al
the department arranging the details OF
the expedition. Another transport was
secured today. and the department is
showing disposition to treat Gen. Merritt
with the utmost liberality In the equip
ment Of his force. 1t Il expected that the
advance guard on one vessel. under tho
command of Gen, Otis. will sail out of tho
Golden Gate tomorrow bound for the PHIL
ipplnes.
The complaints Of the shociess among
the volunteers just brought into the army
viii soon he silenced. az the war DEPART
ment has Just placed orders for 20 os pairs
OF soldiers shoes.
A beginning was made today toward ths
organization OF the. important volunteer
forces. under authority conferred upon tho
president by special legislation. The Ma
tional Guard will have no part In thase
organizations. which viii be made up of
engineers, immunes and electricians
The staff assignments are coming out
rapidly In the general orders issued daily
by the department. the appointments heing
made generally upon the request OF tho
major generals. and the hrigadier generals
are yet TO be provided for In this matter.
The state department today Announced
that the Polarla. of the Hamhnrg-American
line. at Key Wes,. which waa authorized
10 land certain passengers IN Havana. had
declined to avail 1ersef of the privilege. 20
that the war department. In relieved of what
promised to be an embarrassing incident
and Of the necessity of ESTABLISHING what
might prove 10 be dangerous precedent.
ofaclais here dismiss az pure invention
tie story coming from Montreal that for
rner Minister Po1S has succeeded IN secur.
ing for Spain a coaling station on one %
the French islands Of st. Pierre and Nil
usfeIon off the coast OF Newfoundland.