The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-04-29

Washington. April 2s.-The shelling of
the Mantanzas batteries was the topic
of absorbing interest throughout naval
and official circles generally to-day. 1t
was discussed on the basis of the press
reports from Key West. as the navy
department received no information
whatever on the subject. Secretary
Long said at o'clock this afternoon.
as he closed up his official work for
the day. that no report had been re-
ceived from Admiral Sampson. nor was
the navy department advised in any
way of the shelling of Matanzas. Mr..
Long added that he felt no disposition
to keep from the public any news con-
cerning such an important event as
a naval engagement or a battle. While
it was essential that future strategic
moves should he guarded with the
greatest care, yet Mr.. Long made it
clear that this did not apply to events
IL they had actually occurred, for as 10
battles and their attendant casualties,
he recognized that the public was en-
titled to know what had occurred. The
secretary said that in the absence of all
information he was inclined to believe
that the shelling was confined to the
exchange of a few shots, and did not
assume the proportions of a regular
bombardment. When his attention was
directed to reports that the Smelling
was the result of direct orders from
the president, the secretary said this
was not so-the president was giving
no direct orders on any Of these move
ments.
The navy department has completely
~. g..
version into war vessels owing to the
exhaustion of the $50,O00.0 900 war fund.
1t is confidently expected that congress
will come to the relief, as the depart
ment is still in need of auxiliary ves-
sells.
big American sailing ship Shenandoah
was gladly received at the department.
Consul Boyle at Liverpool forwarded
the information.
The Port Royal dry dock, according
to official Information. will be acces-
sible TO our warships, even the biggest
in the fleet. should they meet with an
accident during the campaign. The re-
port from the constructor in charge
shows that the entrance to the dock is
now dredged and clear. The work of
dredging the basin Is still i'm progress,
and while this Is not absolutely neces-
sary. il is extremely desirable in or
der to insure the safety of the ships
i'm docking, and the department is en-
deavoring to hasten the contractors in
their work. They estimate that about
Il days more will suffice to complete
IL.
The Three New Battieships.
The board of bureau chiefs met to-
day to begin the consideration of the
plans for the three new battleships au-
thorized by the naval appropriation bill
and progressed so far that circulars will
be sent out to-mrrow inviting bids from
the shipbuilders. The vessels will be
in the main very similar to the battle
ship Illinois, now building at New
port News. They will be about $500
tons displacement. 15 feet beam. 23Iz
feet depth. 16 knots speed. viii be COW
cred with heavy armor and armed with
Is and 6-inch guns. in addition to nu-
merous secondary batteries.
1t can be stated authoritatively that
there is no present prospect of a change
in the head of the navigation bureau.
The present efficient chief. Captain
Crowninshield. though anxious 10 take
his place in the fighting line has yield
ed his personal ambitions to the urgent
demands of Secretary Long and the
president and will remain at his post.
He is in good health. Notwithstanding
the severe strain TO which he has been
subjected.
As To the Invasion of Cuba.
A striking sign of the Importance Of
the invasion Of Cuba was contained In
the chartering to-day by the war de-
partment of eight large steamers of an
average capacity Of about 1000 tons and
able TO carry from 800 TO 1000 passen-