The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-06-04

tin telling OF Commodore Schley's
reconnaissance at Santiago on Tuesday
was all the information the navy de-
pertinent had to contribute to the press
to-day. The bulletin went to confirm
the press dispatches which old of the
firing on the Notifications at Santiago
which have been so steadfastly dis
credited ever since the first report. IL
appears from the bulletin given u
that Commodore Schley sustained a
pretty good fire on the Spanish de-
lenses and II seems probable that had
he found conditions more propitious
than they were. he would have re-
solved the reconnaissance into an as
sanit in force.
The great natural strength Of the
Spanish position n the formidable
character of their batteries, as indi-
Gated by Commodore Schley. have con-
irmed the naval officials in the belief
that they have been wise not to direct
any such reckless assault upon the
place In the absence of forces
as has been advocated in some quar-
ters. The problem would be simplihed
we're II known that there were no mines
In the channel. As II is, the problem
has enlisted the active interest of the
army engineers as well as of the navy
officers here. 1t is the duty of army
engineers in this country to lay just
such mines as are supposed TO be In
place In SANTIAGO harbor. and they are
curious to see how their brothers of the
navy prop to go about the work of
destroying them. IL remain to be
seen how Sampson IL going to solve
this problem. whether by the aid of the
vesuvius. with her dynamite pro-
jectiles. bv the aid of divers, or by
to the old method OF drag
ging for the mines from small boats,
a. In cable-cutting operations.
The owners Of the Holland submarine
torpedo boat. who had proposed to go
into Santiago harbor and destroy the
Spanish warships. have come forward
with a proposition for a practical test
by the naval officers of their scrAft. h
navy department was obliged to decline
to entertain the nrst proposition, as 1t
emacked OF privateering and was In
violation of international law. The
principal objection was that the boat
could nos be in regular commission and
In command Of a naval officer. Be
sides they contended that she a not
been thoroughly tested. Now the boats
owners propose that a naval officer or
officers be designated to go down In the
Holland and then that she be COM
missioned.
Notwithstanding h rather positive
statement coming from Jamaica to the
effect that the second Spanish feet from
Cadix has crossed the Atlantic and Ia
about to Join Cervera to-day at Santi-
ago. the officers Of the navy department
refuse to be frightened at what they
declare to be a bugaboo. IL appears
that the basis Of their confidence is a
Geographic report of as late date as
49, a.. sN.ls. aAAs
Is still at Cadiz. Moreover. they know
in that fleet.
Captain Sigsbee Of the auxiliary
cruiser ST. Pau reported at the navy de-
partment to-day and a a conference
with Acting Secretary Allen. Messrs.
Thrall and Jones. the newspaper CORE
spondents imprisoned at Havana and
recently exchanged for Spanish off,
GERS. were also at the navy department
during the day.
Acting Secretary Allen late this aft
rnoon appointed a court of inquiry TO
examine into the collision on May 2S
between the United States cruiser CO.
iumbia inc the British steamer Fos-
cola OF Fire island. which resulted in
the loss of the latter vessel. The court
consisted of Commodore W. p. Nc
Cam. retired; Capt. George w. Sum
ner, =. II. Sperry ana
Lieut.. Douglass Robin. retired. as
Judge advocate. II will meet at New
York next Monday.
Thu navy department found II nee
essary to-day to make In explanation
Of the methods II had employed OF adj
vancing on the list the captains OF the
vessels engaged in the battle of Ma
Mia. There appears to be great incon-
sistency in the recommendation, Capt.
Frank Wilder OF the Boston. for in
stance. going up only five numbers.
while Commander Wood OF the little
Petrol jumping 10. Admiral Dewey
himself went up only two numbers.
The reason for this. according to the
department officials. is that a number
in the higher grade Is worth much
more than q number In the lower grade
so that what appears TO be an Unequal.
ity IL, In fact. exact equality. as neal
as can be calculated. The advance o.
these ofhcers on the naval list ha.
caused some very curious "skips.' suci
as, for instance. in the case OF Captain
Sigsbee. Captain Cr~owninshield anC
Captain O'Neii OF the ordnance bureau
who were passed over.