Evening star., 1898-05-16
AT THE WHITE HOUSE
Blanco Said to Be Short of Shot and
Shell.
AID EXPECTED FROM CERVERA
Number Of Men for Dewey to Be
Settled Tomorrow.
SOME OF TODAY'S CALLERS

rec eived convincing informa ton that Cen
! eral Blanco is short of shot and powder.
| This fact leads the administration to the
conviction that Admiral Cervera is un-
dCubtedly trying to reach Havana, or at
least the Cuban coast, with supplies for the
defenses of the city. Without these addi-
tions, it is said, Blanco will not be able
to fight over two days, and less time than
this if he has to divide ammunition with
the land defense force, which Is practi-
cally without a supply of fighting material.
1t Is surprising to the administration that
Blanco continues to waste shot and shell
at the American ships which chance to get
close to Havana. but it is concluded that
! the willy Spaniard is trying the old game of
attempting to deceive his enemy. He wants
to keep up a fine front and make this coun-
try believe that he is fully prepared for
long siege. The Unted States. however,
has responsible agents in Havana, and
these agents manage to get trustworthy re-
ports here of the situation.
BIanco is Energetic.
While these reports show that Blanco
wants more powder and shell, they also
show it is said that he is strengthening
the fortlications of the city as fast as
thousands of men can do the work. He is
uilelSlOOu 10 be pNfilS HlIiiStil IIlol .
energetic than the average Spanish com
mander. He is not putting off anything to
tomorrow which can be done today. Each
day given him means that much more re-
sistance to the American forces both by
land and sea.
Blanco notified Madrid of what he needed
lorS ago, ard it is felt to be almost certain
now that Cervera knows that Havana will
no, be able to pLt Up long fight unless he
gets there with aid. He IS going there
now, ard thinks he can evade Sampson.
The latter knows the situation and he viii
swing tar enough down to intercept the
crafty CerVera before he gets to Cuban
shores.
Men for the Philadelphia.
No exact decision has yet been reached
about the number Of men who will be
sent to the Philippines. The question will
probably come up at tomorrow's cabinet
II Getting. The feeling is undoubtedly grow
irg among administration officials to make
the army of occupation sufficient for all
purposes, and to get it off as quick as
possible. 1t is thought likely, as already
stated in The Star, that 1900 men will
certainly be sent. In view of the latest
communication from Dewey a decision may
be reached to increase the number to 10000
or 5000. 1t is not believed that the total
number to be sent will reach 80, COO
Secretary Alger, after a conference with
the President today, was asked about send
ing troops to the Philippines. We Will get
1000 men off this week on the City of Pc
kim" he said. More will follow just as
rapidly can get them off,
Annexation of Hawaii.
ReDrcsantative Cannon has raturned fror,
a trip to Illinois and saw the President to-
day. Mr.. Cannon was asked by a Star rep
resentative as 10 the prospects of annex
ing Hawaii. The islands are practically
annexed now,' he said. We have a coal
ing station there now"
Mr.. Cannon and majority OF other rep
resentatives believe that thu House will
soon pass the annexation resolution.
Protection of the Atlantic Coast.
Senator Gray and other influential man
have made strong protests against the
cruiser Columbia and other fine warships
being kept on the New England coast when
the eneny's ships are in southern waters.
Senator Gray had business with the Presi-
dent today and called his attention to the
matter.
TT is stated that these ships are kept on
the New England coast to allay apprehen-
sion" said Senator Gray. well, that is all
foolishness. Here these ships are kept on
this coast when there is not a particle of
danger, while the Spanish squadron is not
far from southern shores. 1 do not believe
anybody has an idea that the Spanish fleet
would attempt to sail 5000 or 1900 miles
from it's present position TO attack the New
England coast and be without a base of
supplies when 1t got there. While our ships
remain the New England coast the
southern coast, much nearer to the Span
iards, is unprotected. So is the coast of the
middle Atlantic states. Our ships should be
with one or the other squadrons. They
would be unequal to defense If attacked on
the New England coast now. If that coast
is ever threatened the Spanards will never
get back home"
1t is said that several New England SEN
ators take the same ground Senator
Gray.
The Singapore COnsulship.
National Committeeman Youngblood and
State Chairman Vaughn of Alabama were
working at the White House and State De-
partment today to secure the consulship at
Singapore for DIR. R. A. Moseley of Ala
bama, and it is thought to be probable
that he will be appointed. Mr.. Vaughn
Sdlu tOudy lHat the republican state con-
vention will meet on the 7th of next month
''It will probably put out straight ticket"
said Mr. Vaughn. The republicans are op-
posed to further fusion with the populists
After Army and Navy Positions.
President Mckinley was again besieged
today with callers in search of positions in
the army and navy. When the President
desires to accede to the requests OF callers,
he tells them to see the proper officials
in the War or Navy Department and say
that the President wants such a thing
done.
A number of paymasters in both army
and navy are soon to be nominated. These
positions are always eagerly sought, and
many of today's visitors were using their
influence with the President to land friends
or relatives.
The Louisiana congressional delegation.
headed by Senator McEnery and Represen-
tative Meyer, talked with the President
about designating Colonel Wickliffe of
Lcuisiana to raise regiment of yellow