The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-03-24

JUN L.. boAN'
Secretary Of the Navy.
COM. EDWARD D. TAUSSIG,
u. S. Navy, Commanding the y S. S.
Bennington,
This, 18th day of January, 1899, took
full possession of the island known
as Wakes Island for the United
States of America.
The war department has been inves-
tigating the charge that four of the
second lieutenants recently appointed
in the army, having been previously
discharged from the West Point mill
tary academy, We're, therefore, ineli-
gible for appointment. The provision
of law is that no cadet who has been
discharged shall be appointed in the
army ahead of the class in which he
was serving. The men named are Ed
ward E. Downes, appointed from Tex
as and now in the Philippines; Nathan
iel r. Chambliss, Jr., appointed from
Alabama; Louis j. Van Setback, of New
York, and Edward E. Haskell. 1t ap-
pears from the records in the wal de-
partment that two of these, DOWneS and
Van Setback, come within the law and
will not be commissioned. Neither of
their classes have graduated. Haskell
is of the class of 1902, and although he
was discharged the entire class petit
toned and the academic board recon-
mended him for appointment, and un-
der the law such recommendations can
be accepted. Haskell was wounded at
San Juan. Chambliss was of the class
of 1899 which graduated February 18th,
1899, and although he was discharged
in 1898, his class has been commits
stoned ahead of him.
A CABLEGRAM FROM OTIS.
The war department has received the
following:
Manila, March q.
"Adjutant General, Washington:
Nl.~ --l "a -
the goth. The Grant delayed for nee
essary repairs, starts on the 18th. She
carries all sick and wounded necessary
to ship. The Sherman is expected to-
night. Cannot shipment of
volunteers at present, hope to do so
soon. Ship additional battalion Cali
fOrnia to Negroes this afternoon.
SHERMAN TO GO ABOARD THE
CHICAGO.
Secretary Long received word today
from Captain Cooper, of the cruiser
Chicago, saying that vessel had met
the Paris, on which ex-Secretary Sher-
man is a passenger, off Kingston, ia.
The Chicago was dispatched by the
navy department to Kingston to bring
Mr.. Sherman to the United States inn
mediately, as the Paris was not eX-
pected TO return with her eXcursionists
for some time. The Chicago, however.
did not reach Kingston in time, but
upon meeting the. Paris made arrange
ments to AXE Mr.. Sherman off the lat
ter vessel on Friday, the change to be
made at Caimanera, a few miles east of
Santiago.
Captain Cooper's dispatch was as fol-
lows:
"Caimenera, Cuba, March 81.
Met Paris yesterday off Kingston
bound for Santiago. Coal here. Take
Sherman on board Friday.
AFFAIRS IN CUBA.
Havana, March 21.-The Cuban army
has 1928 men, all told. This number
includes corporals and sergeants, but
excludes commanding officers. The fig
ures are the result of the official in
quiry instituted under the direction or
the department commanders Tor the
use of the military administration.
The reports of the governors of the
provinces are as follows: Santiago
lone, Puerto Principe 500, Santa Clara
4,769, Matanzas 1900, Havana province
2,45O, which includes 375 in the city OF
Havana in Piner del Rio $500.
General Gomez originally reported
that there We're AZ, 900 privates n non
commissioned officers. General Roof,
inspector general of the Cuban army,
was to have presented an accurate
muster roll to Governor General Brooke
but he has not done so. AS a creature
of the Cuban military assembly, he has
Joined with it against General Gomez.
His muster rolls in whatever form
they may be, have been given to Senior
Rafael Pertuendo, president of the ex-
ecutive committee of the assembly. but
the governor general has assurances
that they will soon be turned over to
him.
Brigadier General Ernst will assist
the military administration in distrib-