Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-05-28
THE WAR SITUATION.
No Forward Movement Till CtrVara is
Definitely Located.
THAT FUGACIOUS SQUADRON.
Supposed, but Not Yet Known Positive
ly, 10 Be Bottled Up.
Tgg SUBMARINE BOAT HOLLAND.
Proposition to Use 1t Against Spanish
in Santiago HarbOr.
ORGANIZATION OF VOLUNTEERS.
Rs1nsHtS Under First Call May Be
Filled Under Second.
ORGANIZATION OF VOLUNTEERS.
NATTER OF ooLoRED TROOPS.
,oIorcd officers as Wei as CoIored
Ncu-A COiorcd Surgeon Already
Appointed - White and BLACK
Troops TO lie Kept Separate.

WASHINGTON, d. c., May 27.-The
military situation as at present. deter
mined upon by those in authority, is to
make ra forward movement of troops,
other upon Porto Rico or Cuba, until
.u and definite information is received
fs-a tle location of the Spanish squadron.
sr. us possibilities as a factor in the
aggressive movements of Spain.
Far The last few days army circles have
ssr.d public belief that the Spanish
ships were trapped in Santiago harbor
a.G that has given impetus TO arrange
u.r.s by which trained bodies of troops
40 Caickamauga and elsewhere might be
moved forward rapidly TO Tampa for en-
lrMuou The presence, or the sup
posed presence of Spanish ships in Flo
ras waters added 10 the impression that
movement was about to occur.
The end Of Cervera's career as a possi-
Die menace 10 our troops has probably
been cut OF by his being securely held in
Santiago harbor, but in the absence of
positive information on this point, there
i, nl purpose whatever on the part of
the government for an aggressive for
ward movement
NOTHING POSITIVE YET.
10 can be again affirmed, on the highest
authority, and Notwithstanding all rumors
20 the contrary, that at the close Of the
day the department had nothing more
than a belief, founded on unofficial ad-
vices that the Spanish squadron was
lying in Santiago harbor and no news
as 90 Commodore Schley's whereabouts.
However. the great majority of the Of |
te.als Of the Navy Department entertain |
l1 doubt that Cervera is within Santiago |
lar5or, and they have succeeded in inn
srassing this belief upon the President |
s-d the members of the Cabinet.
Is was announced to-day that Holland,
t1a inventor Of the submarine boat Of that
name. was expected here tomorrow, 10
discuss with Captain ONeil. chief of
ordnance. the feasibility OF using the
novel craft in an attack upon the Span
ssh squadron at Santiago if the vessels
are stin there The officials are dis
posed 10 receive in a kindly spirit any
suggestion that may prove TO be valuable
in this line. and they will talk with Mr..
Holland over the details of his scheme,
probably on the basis of compensation
10 bee paid 10 him for each Spanish vessel
destroyed.
THE NEW CALL FOR TROOPS.
Au important phase of the military pro-
is a decision not TO take up the
details Of organizing the new force OF
500 troops for at least a week or ten |
Says II the regiments under the first
.l are TO be brought up to their maxi
mum strength, it will take about 4OoOO
len from the second call to complete
le l5 regiments under the first call.
l.s win leave 5000 men to be organized
@ distinctly new regiments THE War De-
aument is anxious to obtain the view
.f the Governors of the States and Terri
mum strength of the regiments already
lmished by them under the first call
e t1e President for 125 900 men. and with b
as object in view Adjutant-General Il
9rb.n, at the direction Of Secretary AL
r. to-day sent kilograms asking the sew n
no 'i'ffA sibAH ~ lliohf a. an ~A
,s subject r
COLORED OFFICERS.
The question arose to-day as TO whether s,
l.ored officers. as well as colored troops, W
al'd be taken as a part of the organi- C,
atoms offered General Alger has de- | r,
fed that II a coIorsd company had eff S,
aHl soldiery. colored officers were as II
.1ed entitled TO recognition in the mill W
.rT service as were the troops them it
.fas In this connection II developed p;
Ht coIored men are being considered al
r some Of the staff appointments, and in
e Encouragement Of the army has ac- st
pted a colored man as surgeon, with re
e rank Of captain. The eolored surgeon DC
-i be assigned 10 a coiored regiment, - =,
I'D coiored troops and colored officers da
" be kept together. as far as possible wi