The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-06-17
DAILY, SO A YEAR
CENTS A COPY.
WEEKLY 2-TIMES-A-WEHK 81 A TEAR
SKATER NOW NEARING SHORE
WAR DEPARTMENT ANxIoUsLY
WAITING FOR WORD.

Important News Plainly Expected.
Admiral Sampson Expected to
Have Cable Communication Estab-
Iished by Time Troops Arrive. q
Measure of the Reward to he Civ
en- Lieut. HObsOn Not Yet settled.
Washington. June 16.-In the way OF ac-
tual events there was little to record to-
day.
No word came from Admiral Sampson
at Santiago or from Admiral Dewey at
Manila.
This absence of affirmative news from
the respective seats of war gave rise to
no apprehension.
The officials are resting secure I'm 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 Admiral
Dewey, but to spaniards In the city.
Tho officials OF the war department do
not care to give out any specific infor-
nation as TO when Gen. Shafter, with his
troops. viii land In Cuba, but from cer-
tain signs of restlessness exhibited by
them II Is evident that they would not be-
surprised to have some very important
news within the next twenty-four or thir-
ty-six hours.
The naval officials are confident A.
miral Sampson viii have established cable
connection within that time so that news
OF the arrival OF the Amerlcan troop trans
ports off Santiago should not be longer
delayed than the time required for a dis
patch boat to make the run of forty miles
eastward along the coast TO the shores of
Guantanamo harbor. where the cable viii
be working under the protection Of Col.
Huntington's marines
There was an exhibition of feverish ac-
tivlty at the war department to-day, 50
pronounced as to attract 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 con-
centration points, and that preparations
are In progress TO move a number OF
troops So far. it is stated. no orders
have gone out for the actual movement,
and what has been done In that direction
Is merely preparatory.
Very likely definite action will follow
conference with Secretary Alger, ana the
President will have with Gen. Miles. Who
is expected to arrive here tomorrow from
Tampa. The general is better aware Of
the exact state of the fitness of the troops
at tho Southern rendezvous points than
any one else. and the President and Sec
retary Alger. in all probability, will be
bound by what he has to say in decldin.
upon the further disposition OF the troops-
IL Gen. Miles, as Is thought to be prob
able, recommends a further concentration
OF troops on the Southern seaboard. tho
new camp at Fernandina, Fla. win be
made ready for the reception of the sddi-
tional troops. The town has been fore
warned as to this camp. the war DEPART
ment prohtlng by the experience gained
In the establishment Of two great camps
at Chickamauga and Camp Alger.
The President has not yet decided what
measure OF reward shall be meted out 10
Lieut.. Hobson for his brave achievements
The men he led have been taken care OF.
secretary Long attended to that himself
because 1t was matter entirely within his
authority and they have been made war
rant officers, the ideal OF a sailors ambi-
ton. Lieut.. Hobson Is to be advanced
that II Is settled. The department called
upon Admiral Sampson for recommen-
dation an this case, but I'm advance of ar
rival had about decided to advance Lieut..
Hobson ten numbers, which would have
placed him just below Constructor Lin
nard, when "A doubt arose as to whether
the young man would not prefer a trans
fer to the line. His relatives were con-
suited, among them his uncle Representa-
tive Pearson of North Carolina and IL was
decided to allow Lieut.. Hobson to make
his choice az between the line and staff.
Steps accordingly have been taken to ac-
quaint hsm with the departments purpose
and ask his pleasure in the matter.
The navy department has sent to the
battleship Massachusetts, a complete new
breech mechanism for one of the ls-inch
guns of that ship. This was due 20 a
report reaching the department about a
week ago, that the breech Of one OF .ha
guns was out of order.
The mechanism win be delivered In N
day or two and can be readily substituted
for the old breech. The condition of the
13-inch gun gave rise to rumors to-day
that the Massachusetts had suffered rather
eeverely during the first action off SAN
tago and that two OF the big guns were
disabled and a gunner killed. There was
no basis for the rumor beyond the dis
ordered breech mechanism referred to.