The record-union., 1898-04-29

antry 1t is likely, therefore, that while
there was nothing of the nature of a
general engagement in Admiral Samp-
sons reconnaissance of yesterday, he will
soon take steps to begin heavier and
lively bombardment of Matanzas.
A rather striking sign of the immin-
ence of invasion of Cuba was contained
in the chartering to-day by the War
Department of eight large steamers of
an average capacity of about 1000 tons
and able to carry from 500 to 1000 pas
sengers each These are to be used as
transports for the conveyance of the
first military expedition to Cuba. The
names OF the boats were the Olivette
and Florida of the Plant line, now in the
Gulf; the Southern Pacific Company's
steamer Arkansas, the New York and
Texas Company's vessels Comal, now at
New York. and the Malamo. now en-
route to the Gulf, and three fine ships of
the Boston Merchants and Miners line
in Baltimore-the Allegheny, the BerK-
shire and the Decatur Miller. The price
paid for these vessels is from $4,000
to $4,000 for the thirty days for which
they are engaged. They will be taken
charge of by the Quartermaster's De-
partment at the earliest possible mo-
ment.
General Shafter, in command Of the
United States troops now concentrated
at New Orleans, has been inconsulta-
ton with the officials to-day as to the
execution of plans of the campaign, but
the orders given to him cannot be made
public.
The President and Cabinet will con-
slider the large number of applications
that have been made for appointment
to the posts of Major General and Brig
adler General, and there is some eX-
pectation that he will be able to nomi-
nate a few of these officers tomorrow.
General Fitzhugh Lee arrived here
late to-day, after ten days visit TO
his family in Virginia. With him came
Miss Cisneros, the young Cuban girl res
cued from Cabanas, who has been the
guest of Miss Lee. The General shared
the keen public interest in the report OF
the shellin- of Matanzas. He had Wis
tied the city frequently, and was "a
miliar with the lay of the land and the
defenses. He said the batteries were
antiquated and no longer able to offer
apu Ia hIa Yacistoppa
General Lee will call at the State De-
partment tomorrow morning. Being
still an official. he asked to be excused
from discussing the war situation, and
pective APPOINTMENT as Major General.
General Lee says he has not yet re
ceived challenge to fight duel sent by
Lieutenant De CarranZa, late naval at
tache at Washington. 1t is understood
that three or four persons have offered
to accommodate Lieutenant Carranza
if he desires a meeting.
Naval circles look to the Philippines
for the first big war news. Admiral
Dewey, naval officers say, must take
a port in the Philippines and make it
a base of supplies and temporary
home for his ships, or head his fleet
straight across the Pacific for San
Francisco. 1t is expected that the
European Powers holding possessions
Britain's rules as to the conditions I'M
der which the ships of belligerent Pow
erS may shelter in their port. No mat
ter how we'll inclined towards the Unit
ed States, China undoubtedly will be
obliged under European pressure to
join in the same practice. Thus, Ad-
miral Dewey will find that having Sc
cured one supply of coal at a port be-
longing to one of these Powers, that
port will be practically closed to his
ships, for he would not be permitted
to enter them again for the same pur-
pose within three months, space of
time that would more than consume
the amount of coal that can be carried
on shipboard.
centuates the unwise policy that has
prevailed in the past of failing to Sc
cure coaling stations and ports of
Asia Admiral Dewey, because of this
policy. is under the necessity now of
capturing a port from the enemy in
which he may stay as long as he
pleases, and his position consequently
is much more perilous than that of
the Cuban blockading squadron.
The Admiral is believed to have sailed
at 2 o'clock yesterday from Mrs Bay
for the Philippines. 1t is assumed that
the squadron is travelling at the pre-
scribed speed of ten knots, and it is
calculated at the Navy Department
that she is bound to consume about
sixty hours in the passage to Manila,
which will bring the fleet off Port
Manila early Saturday morning. 1t
is believed if the Spanish feet can be
driven to harbor under the protection
of the batteries, Admiral Dewey will
detach some of his ships to blockade
the port, to keep them there while
using another part of his small force
to seize and occupy, with native as
sistance some fortified port as a base.
SMELLING OF THE BATTERIES.