The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1898-05-27
,lunteers not yet Completed.

WASHINGTON, D. c.. May 2s.--sec-
r,ury Long said at the close OF ofIice
hours to-day that no word had come
from any OF the scouting vessels so
numerous in West Indian waters con-
eernlus the Spanish flying squadron.
shere,or he concluded that Cervera
MAS still in Santiago harbor.
Supposedly schley is lying outside
watching the entrance to prevent the
eUes, OF tho Spanish vessels. ut,while
there Ia evidence Of certain kind on
that fact, there has been no official con-
a.ma.lon Of It. This is little remark
able In view OF the fact that It Is only a
t,y's run for ono OF schley's swift tor
r.do boats from Santiago TO q cable
psrt In Hayti. n
There Is also curious lack Of intor-
nation from the newspaper dispatch
boats on this point. It was supposed
that the censors might have excised
from the dispatches Of the newspaper.
men any reference TO the fleets, but
this would apply. according to the
statement OF the navy department off,
clals here. only to that part OF the dis
patches that might relate to the move--
nents and whereabouts OF the United
States forces, and the censors rules
would not exclude reference to the
Spanish squadron. ~,
Notwithstanding the officials profess
mistaken confidence In their original
belief that the Spanish squadron is se-
curely bottled up In Santiago harSor.
there Is no concealment BY them OF an
intense desire to secure some absolutely
Trustworthy information on that point.
!, Is not to be doubted that with the
question still open, the beginning OF
the military operations Is retarded, for
as long as there exists q possibility OF
the Spanish naval force being at large
there Is an indisposltion to start the
troop transports for Cuba.
Consultation Mt White House.
Probably It was this uncertain state
0, affairs that induced tho President to
call consultation at the white house
to-day between Secretaries Alger and
Long, General Niles and the members
Of the naval war board, Admiral ST.
card, Captain Crowninshield and Cap
tain Mahan. As stated by one OF the
members Of the conference, the purpose
was TO 90 over the whole situation from
the Philippines to Cuba and Porto Rico
and decide Just how far the plans al
ready laid should be modified to meet
existing conditions. This involved O
discussion Of such Important points as
the propr!ety Of the immediate advance
Of the military forces upon Cuba; the
crsdibilitv OF the advlces so far had
touching the location OF the Spanish
squadron, the policy OF preceding the
Cuoaa expedition, or accompanying It,
with one directed against Porto Rico
and finally the extent of the military
assistance to be sent to Admiral Dew
c! al Manila. AS already. indicated the
Proceedings were rather In the nature
OF consultation than Of q war council
Wnere a full decision Ia demanded at
once, SO that It is not probable all OF
Nese Important questions were dlspos-
ca o. at the council. None OF the
nembers Of the conference felt author
l!ec TO tell what had taken place, but
Gere are thought to be patent ind!ca-
aons OF decision to embark military.
expeditions In the course of the next
nH days, whether for Cuba or Porto,
1aeo can only be conjectured.
No Relief In Madrid Reports.
There was lack Of uews to-day from
Admiral Dewey and this convinced the
naval authorities that there could be
aN'ls credencs placed in the Madrid re-
pc.' Of an accident to the Baltimore.
IN the rush Of military preparations
ae war department officials have not
ss.n asle to'give much attention to the
..ss..,ations FOR the procurement of the
.oVD additional volunteers called for
.es1erday by the President. It is still
uncertain Just how far. the national au-
..ua'siles will go towards recruiting
. .aese forces themselves nor Is 1t POSI-
M,ely known that Independent organI-
ssuohs' companies, battallons and regi-
a' Hts' raised by individuals will be
sssepted en- bloc II by so, doing the de-
sat ehneht is required to accept the off,
en is with the men. Il Indeed, 1t Is now
S.eatiooed whether under the law the
sspar'ment could, X 1t would. accept
Tivices ,,.s Of officers under! such condi-
sons' az the governors OF the states ap-
,. nsae 10 be only persons authorized to
ue n'a commissions below the regimentn1
o"s "sue. There arc many other vexa tIous
T.. sessions to be settled before the regu-
r.,., ons can be promulgated. but, fortu-
'iy' 10 the Judgment OF the depart
r,v. s oihcials. due notice having been
~" ,,,lo 70 the people OF a desire for more
cr.S MOSpS oy the government there Is no
tvSSion t.T. for haste in deciding upon de-
Sr.s s IN view OF the fact that the full
n,e . OF men called for under the first
~ ation has not been secured.
"a ~ department officials were engag-
a "-day largely with the execution OF
.tIos" law providing for the organlza-2
tSn VI certain independent forces, with
,.rn,lt r result that It was able to announce
EQUATIONS y, governing the examination
,a'ppncants for COMMISSIONS In the
tsr teer ,s regiments and organizations
d ."e immune regiments. .55 * FL, /,
O, evidence OF the growing interest
m, european countries In the war. was
aappeafance at the state department
an,",y ay or captain 4. Wester, n newly
tIon tIV,','ed military attnche to the legn-i
IN M ,t o' sweden and Norway. He came
n, 'ue ~ department with Minister Grip,
10 ~. ,ne purpose OF occurring permission
ta,v vettompnny the United States mill
ny torces 70 Cuba. 4 5l5ifl il; (, li;i 4.
u HlTlSTPp pRHnrrTrnyc q IA jS5.7