Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-05-06
ADMIRAL SAMPSON
News Expected From His Fleet by
Sunday or Monday.
DEFEAT OF SPANISH FLEET
That or Capture of Porto Rico
Looked for.
TODAY'S CABINET MEETING.

liz lCIIIi iiIiIl 1<eiid SttS NdS
captured by cruisers OF Admiral
SIMPSONS fleet last evening. The
ship was trying to break through the
blockade after being warned not to
do so.
The news of the capture OF the
French liner Lafayette by a United
States gunboat off the harbor of Iia-
vana was received here with grave
attention. as an event likely to cause
serious international complications.
Capt A 5. Barker was assigned to
command the Newark.
Mr.. J. l. Torrev. who will organ
lze regiment OF mounted rifiemen
IN Wyoming, reports many applica-
tons.
The President has issued an order
that hospitals of the marine hospital
service be used for the army and
navy when needed.
The Senate finance committee re-
sumed consideration OF the war reve-
nue measure.
General Wheeler took the oath OF
office as major general OF volunteers
today, and was followed BY Generals
Lee and breckenridge. Mr.. Roose-
welt was also sworn in.
The commissions of the recently
appointed major generals were sign
ed by the President.
The volunteer army will consist OF
seven corps, each to be commanded
by major general.
The administration expects to hear
that Admiral Sampson has either de-
feated the Spanish fleet or captured
Porto Rico by Sunday or Monday.
Reports OF continued rioting at Ma
drid come from points beyond the
press censor's jurisdiction.
thing from Admiral Sampson on Sunday or
Monday He expects this news TO he inn
portant and to determine the policy of
many things next week The Secretary
gave this information to cabinet members
today
IL is poritively known that no movement
OF troops to Cuba will begin until some
thing definite is known of the destination
OF the SD: nish fleet which left the Cane
Verde Islands. This was discussed at to-
days cabinet meeting and the opinions of
Secretaries Long and Alser were that news
VIII come of the whereabouts of that fleet
Vl-hin few days. Secretary Long is dis
pused 10 believe today that the first news
viii be that Admiral Sampson has met and
defeated the Spaniards somewhere near
Porto Rico
When this news is received there will he
no further loss of time about sending an
expedition to Cuba. There will also be no
DELAY II II becomes certainly known that
1hls iieet has gone to the Canary Islands or
to Cadiz.
For Final Blow.
Ine fact Is that everything is not ready
Tor the landing of troops in Cuba Secre-
tary Alger himself admits this The full
arrangements for the dispatch of the expe
dition lack completion, and it is not pro-
having ii fitted to perfection
This army, which will be ready To eD,
bark next We *. rs expected to aid the navy
In striking blow which, the administra-
ton thinks. will settle the further desir. of
the Spaniards for war. The President homes
'Aat thlS blow, fully planned several days
ago. Will end the war. The naval part of
the blow will be the destruction of the
Spanish fleet or the capture of Porto Rico
probably both if the feet makes its annear
ance. Then will follow the bomha1dmen,
of Havana and the landing Of 4 United
States army.
A Story From Madrid.
Cabinet officials laugh at the story from,
Madrid that a fleet Is to be sent from
Cat II TO defeat Dewey and retake the
Philppines 1t Is officially stated that if
the Spaniards were to send any Of their
ships to the east one of our fleets would
ieaFe at once Tor the Spanish coast and
cause more damage than the Standards
could infiict at Manila. where they wonId
again meet their matches. This story.
therefore. causes no uneasiness at this end
heHiorcements are to be sent to Dewey
In a few days anyhow. The Charleston will
augment his fleet. and the damages done to
the vessels there will be repaired To meet
10 SEND TOO many vessels away from home
Today's Cabinet Meeting.
The cabinet held an exceedingly short
session today, but some of the results were
interesting.
Secretary Gage and Attorney General
Griggs were absent from the cabinet ses-
sion. The former has gone TO make an ad-
dIess before the Cornell students, and the
litter has gone to his home in New JERSEY
for few days. Secretary Day has not re-
turned to the city.
The five officials present went over the
entire situation to date. touching upon the
Philippines. the movements in and around
Havana. and the continued preparations
for war.
There was naturally great deal Of spec
ulation about the failure to hear from
Commodore Dewey. but neither the Presa-
dent Eor any member Of his Official family