Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-07-01
DUMB AS OYSTERS.
orr,ct.Ls BOUND TO ABSOLUTE
SECRECY REGARDING THE WAR.
THE ADMINISTRATION FRIGHTENED.
Truth of the situation Might seri-
ously Impair the Prospects of the
Uanna-NcKinleY Combine-Wash-
ington City Personals.

WASHINGTON, d. c., June 30.--(Spe-
cial)-All officials in the War and Navy
apartments. UP 10 The rank of chiefs of
bureaus, are now dumb as oysters when
asked for news from the Philippines. or
for any information regarding an increase
In the army 10 meet the pressing needs
Of General Otis. The strictest censorship
is maintained and none but officers con-
nected with the offices of the Adjutant-
General. Secretary OF War, or Assistant
Secretary of War. are allowed 20 gtye
any data 10 newspaper correspondents on
these subjects. Dispatches from Otis are
either wholly suppressed, or are given out
in garbled form, TO suit the interests
Of the administration and to hoodwink
the public as TO the true condition of
affairs In the Philippines.
In order 10 effectually conceal the news,
except through the sources above men
toned. Acknowledgement Corbin has just
caused 10 be issued TO the bureau chiefs
the most stringent order. as follows:
"War Department.
Alphabetically Office,
Washington, June %. Is99
Orders: The attention Of the Adjutant-
General has been called 10 the frequent
lltorTuptiOn or business caused by per-
sons not directly connected with the Of
fee calling on the clerks for informs-
ton
As this necessarily interferes with
the close and unremitting attention 10
official business imperatively demanded
by the clerical force of the office, 1t Is
ordered that hereafter all clerks not
chiefs OF divisions viii decline to fur
nish any information unless instructed
to do so by their respective chiefs or hy
one Of the officers on duty in the Adju-
tant-GeneraPs office, or by the Secretary
or Assistant Secretary of War.
Chiefs of divisions will exercise their
best judgment In furnishing persons hot
employees OF the office with any infor-
nation, and under no circumstanc - Will
newspaper reporters be furnished with
any data, except when authorized by
an officer of the Adjutant-Gene. ais Of
fee or by the Secretary or Ass slant
Secretary Of War.
"H. c. CORBIN. Adjutant-General."
THE TRUTH WOULD HURT.
This is a forcible indication Of the scare
existing in administration circles over the
situation In the Philippines. If the whole
truth were allowed to leak out il would
be OF incalculable injury to Mr.. McKin-
ley-might defeat his denomination in
1900 and would certainly defeat him OF
reelection that year.
Among the best informed politicians
and officials 1t is held that the President
would not dare 10 call out the 80. coo Volun-
teers for the regular army AUTHORIZED by
Congress, for fear OF an Indignant re-
fusal OF the citizens of the country to
respond. Otis's army Is 10 be patched up
TO 40 900, and commissioned officers are
TO be selected from those already in ser
vice, or 10 be provided by promotions from
the ranks. No applications for COM
missions will receive any attention, and
II Is useless for congressman 10 try to
secure them by personal influence.
TOUR OF NAVY-YARDS.
Assistant Secretary Allen, of the Navy
Department left this morning on the
Dolphin for a tour OF inspection OF the
navy-yards of the country. Up TO the
time OF sailing he had not mapped out
his itinerary. II is his intention to drop
IN Unexpectedly, and his movements will
not be officially heralded. He will proba-
bly, stop at Old Point or Norfolk tonight,
and inspect the yard at the latter place
tomorrow.
The Gloucester sailed from Annapolis
to-day. in tow Of the Standish, for Nor
folk where she Will be locked and pro-
baby receive needed repairs.
Some two hundred nominees for census
sGpervisorships now in the hands of the
President have not yet been appointed.
This number probably includes those from
! Virginia and North Carolina.
MATRIMONIAL.
Eugene F. Moore and Miss Nellie Allen,
both Of Mount Jackson, Va, having pre-
wousy secured a license TO be married
here. eloped, and arrived to-day. The
father OF the groom, who is opposed TO the
marriage. watched the couple. and board
ca the same train, with view to pre-
Venting the marriage ceremony. me
couple illustrated the old adage that
love laughs at locksmiths' by giving
he old gentleman the slip. They got
~ the rear OF the train, sped through
he far-track end OF the Pennsylvania
iepot. and escaped TO South Washington,
While the enraged parent stood at the
passenger gate waiting to nah them. They
Ee doubtless married by this time
PERSONAL.
james f. Lake and wife. OF Upperville.
a.; John Il. Laughton. Jr., Richmond.