Newspaper Page Text
the MORNING NEWS. 1
Established ISSO. - Incorporated ISSS l
J. H. ESTILL, President. J
in oral
Regular Army to Go to Cuba
Before Volunteers.
JIILITIA TO BE MASSED.
Three Great Gamps of Instruction
to Be Formed. •
SHARE STATES MUST SEND.
/
Men Can Be Mobilized in Surpris
ingly Short Time.
Washington, April 23.—The President to
day called upon the people of the United
States for the first time In thirty years to
manifest their martial strength, this time
the call being upon an united people to go
forward to battle with a foreign foe.
The Secretary of War created anew
army corps.
The two taken together, with other news
of to-day, showed that the regular army
soon will move on Cuba, and that mean
time the volunteers will be equipped and
drilled.
The President’s proclamation, while act
ually issued was not certified tothe Gover
nors of the 6tntes and territories, and will
not be until Monday.
The reason is two-fold. In the first
place, the war department desires to avoid
destroying the present organization of the
national guard, which is to be called into
service first. The guard regiments are
composed of twelve companies, and, be
ing officered more numerously than the
tegular army regiments, would have to
be changed to correspond to the army or
ganization, in order tt> comply with the
law as it exists.
The pending Hull bill, however, provides
for meeting just such an emergency, and
permits the use of the national guard as
organized. This consideration Is impor
tant, inasmuch as many of the national
guard have volunteered, only under con
dition that they may serve as now organ
ized.
The second consideration which Influenc
ed the war department in postponing the
certification of the call until Monday Is a
desire to make sure that adequate ar
rangements can be completed by the quar
termasters and commissary departments
for transporting and feeding the large
number of men called for. This Is no light
task, as the volunteers must be taken by
the government at a certain point in ev
ery state, where they are to be collected
by the Governors.
Telegrams have been coming from al
most every section of the country to Secre
tary Alger from Governors and militia of
ficers conveying Information as to the
length of time, surprisingly short in many
cases, that would be required by them to
gather their forces ready for muster. The
men, as fast as mustered in by regular
army officers in the various states, will be
brought to one of the three great depots,
namely, Washington, Richmond and At
lanta, where they will be organized to
meet the requirements of modern army
tactics.
The fact that Richmond Is named as one
of these points is taken in some quarters
as an evidence that Fitzhugh Lee Is to
receive a volunteer commission, either as
one of the four major generals or one of
the nine brigadier generals provided for
In the volunteer bill, for it is believed that
it was largely at his instance that Rich
mond was selected as one of the points
of concentration.
In anticipation of the certifications of
the President's call a vast number of tele
giams and letters have begun to flow In
Uf>on Secretary Alger offering the ser
vices of the senders as volunteers In the
army. So numerous are these communica
•ions that the secretary has been obliged
io request the press to notify the people
that such communications should be dl
l' ted to the Governors of their respective
states and territories, as he has no au
i urity under the law to aedpt volun-
directly.
The formation of a grand army corps
in the department of the South, with head
quarters at the three Gulf ports, is an evi
' nee that the government is to move
1 on Cuba at once with the troops of the
''gular army, leaving the volunteers Just
t lied for to be disciplined and worked into
shape for future use In the campaign.
Phe formal order for the creation of this
t'' >nd army division, issued at the war
J" bartment at the close of office hours,
i’ as follows:
Headquarters of the Army.—Adjutant
‘ •'nerai'g Office, Washington, April 23.
neral Orders: By direction of the Secre.
' . of W® r the following orders of the
“blent are published for the Informa
-1 '.' n guidance of all eoncerned:
, Tlie United States troops assembled
Hk- Chlckumauga National Park will
in ar encampment lo be known s*
, mp George H. Thomas, and will const!-
be, temporarily an army corps under the
I' Mimaiid of Maj. Gen, John R. Brooke.
c °fp will consist of one division of
v *!rjr, onv d| tslon of infantry and one
fpjje Jfcfttittjj
brigade of light artillery. The cavalry
and infantry divisions will each be com
posed of not more than three brigades,
consisting of three or more regiments
each. The artillery brigade will be com
posed of two battalions, each comprising
five batteries. The corps commander will
assign the senior officers present for duty
with each arm to the command of divts.
ions and brigades.
“2. The lnifantry regiments concentrated
at New Orleans, La„ Mobile, Ala., and
Tampa, Fla., are constituted divisions un
der the command of Brig. Gen. William
R. Shatter, Brig. Gen. John J. Coppinger
and Brig. Gen. James F. Wade, respec
tively. The division commanders will
form their divisions into brigades atid as
sign the senior officers present for duty to
command them.
“By command of Maj. Gen. Miles.
“H. S. Corbin, Adjutant General."
The people of the District of Columbia
will see a great many soldiers at the be
ginning of next week. By direction of the
President the entire national guard of the
District, 1,800 strong, has been ordered
into camp 'Monday morning at the Soldiers
Home, under the command of Brig. Gen.
Harries. The guard will not bo directly
in the service of the United States govern
ment, but being in camp fully equipped
and armed, will be in a position for in
stant service in case of demand.
While it Is the purpose of the war de
partment to secure only national guards
men as far as possible under this first call
for volunteers, yet in states where there
are no national guards, or where the num
ber falls below the quota fixed in the call,
the states will be expected to supply the
volunteers regardless of their lack of or
ganization. In fact, this must be done
under the law.
On the basis of to-day’s call for 125,000
men the various states and territories, in
cluding the District of Columbia, will be
called upon to supply each the following
number of volunteers:
Alabama 2,soooklahoma 1431
California 2.23BlArkansas 2,025
Connecticutt ... 1,607 Colorado 1,298
Florida 750|Pelaware 341
Jdaho 232;Georgia 3,174
Indiana ......... 4,302'111in01s 6,60S
Kansas 2/mjlowa 3,772
Louisiana l,9io|Kentucky 3,407
Maryland 1,942 Maine 1,256
Michigan 2,36B|Massachusetts .. 4,721
Mississippi 2,237|Minnesota 2,874
Montana G24|Missouri 5,411
Nevada 138|Nebraska 1,409
New Jersey 2,962iNcw Hampshire. 752
North Carolina . 2,sßljNew York 12,513
Ohio 7,23tjNorth Dakota . 461
Pennsylvania ~10,76910reg0n 829
South Carolina . l,Bsojßhode Island .. 710
Tennessee 3,o6o|South Dakota .. 747
Utah 425|Texas 4,229
Virginia 2,913 Vermont 634
.West Virginia .. l,3B9jWashington 1,718
Wyoming 28liWisconsln 3,274
District of Co- |Arizona 181
lumbia 449|New Mexico .... 330
There was little of.lnterest in the stale
department to-day connected with the war
save the formal issue there of the Pres
ident’s proclamation calling for troops.
The message recommending declaration
of war", which is to go to Congress next
Monday, unless there is a change of plans,
has been under preparation during the day
and that, in connection, with the study of
some questions connected with the neu
trality laws was about all that the de
partment had in hand connected with the
war.
PROCLAMATION OF THE PRESIDENT
Text of the Call for 12.5.000 Volun
teers for War Purposes.
Washington, April 23.—The President to
day issued the following proclamation call
ing for 125,000 troops to serve two years:
“By the President ol the United States—
“A Proclamation.
"Whereas, By a joint resolution of Con
gress, approved on April 20, 1898, entitled,
’a joint resolution of the foreign commit
tee in recognition of the independence of
the people of Cuba,’ demanding that the
government of Spain relinquish its author
ity over the government of the island of
Cuba, to withdraw its land and naval
forces from Cuba and Cuban waters, and
directing the President of the United
States to use the land atid naval forces of
the United States to carry these resolu
tions into effect; and
“Whereas, By act of Congress, entitled
‘an act to provide for temporarily increas
ing the military establishment of the Uni
ted States In time of war, and for other
purposes,’ approved April 22, 1898, the
President Is authorized, in order to raise
a volunteer army, to issue his proclama
tion calling for volunteers to serve in the
army of the United States;
"'Now, therefore, I, William McKinley,
President of the United States, by virtue
of the power invested in me by the con
stitution and by laws, deeming sufficient
occasion to exist, have thought fit to call
forth, and hereby do call forth, volunteers
to the aggregate number of 125,600 in or
der to carry Into effect the purpose of said
resolution; the same to be apportioned as
far as practicable among the several
states and territories and District of Col
umbia, according to population, to serve
for two years unless sooner discharged.
"The details for this object will be im
mediately communicated to the proper au
thorities through the war department.
“In witness thereof I have hereto set
my hand and caused the seal of the Uni
ted States to be affixed.
"Done at the city of Washington, this
23d day of April, A. D. 1898, and of the in
dependence of the United States the 123d.
"William McKinley.
“By the President: John Sherman, Sec
retary of State.”
SPAIN NOT TO niJN PRIVATEERS.
Finally Decides Not to Issue Letters
of Slnrqae.
Madrid. April 23.—The Gaceta to-morrow
will publish a decree in substance as fol
lows;
jejrat—The government reserves liberty
as to the question of coal being contra
band of war.
Second— Spain will not issue letters of
marque and will treat all vessels holding
letters of marque issued by America as
pirates and not as privateers. Spain will
utilize a numerous mercantile fleet ae
auxiliary warships and will exercise the
right ot search both by the regular and
the auxiliary warship*
SAVANNAH, GA„ SUNDAY. APRIL 24, 189S.
■ m 10 go.
Georgia's Quota of the Vol
unteers 3,174 Men.
OPTIONAL, NOT OBLIGATORY.
Militiamen on the Same Basis as
Civilians.
BROOKE LEAD BOYS IN BLUE
Men Who Are Mentioned to Suc
ceed Secretary Sherman.
Washington, April 23.—When President
McKinley left the House this aft
ernoon to take a drive with Vice President
Hobart, he showed no traces of the terri
ble mental ordeal through which he Is
passing.
His complexion was clear, his eye fresh
and bright, and he threw a complacent
smile to those who stood near the entrance
and saluted him with uncovered heads.
His step is firm, his voice strong and
steady, and he says he Is enjoying per
fect health.
The physical pressure upon him has bren
Intense recently, but his regular habits End
his quiet repose when he retires for the
night, accounts for his. excellent condi
tion.
The great event of the day at the ex
ecutive mansion was the signing of the
call for 126,000 volunteers.
The President put his signature to the
important communication to the American
people early In the day, but, acting under
his instructions, the call was not released
until 12 o'clock, the hour fixed for the ex
piration of the terms of the ultimatum
which the President sent to Spain.
Judge Day was entrusted with the te
sponsibllity of seeing the call promulgated,
and he did not leave the White House tin
til the “noon ball" on the navy depart
ment building was descending.
Under the call issued by the President,
Georgia's quota of the volunteer army
will be 3,174 men.
There seems to have been a wrong Im
pression throughout the country wllh re
gard to the status of the militia of the
various state and what is expected of the
members of the military companies of the
various states, in this emergency.
The President’s action in fixing the
figure at 125,000 created a good deal of sur
prise, because of the very positive an
nouncement that the number would be
100,000, but to-day he and the Secretary of
War were appealed to by senators and
representatives to increase the quota in
their respective states, and the figures
were changed to meet ’the congressional
requests.
Letters and telegrams, pouring in upon
senators and representatives, indicate
there is a general belief, first, that the
militias to be called out intact, and, sec
ond, that nobody else except one who is
now enrolled as a militia mah Is to be
given a chance. Both of these Ideas are
erroneous.
Under the call issued by the President
the state militia organizations are not call
ed out as such.
The call of the President Is for volun
teers, and it will be communicated to the
Governors of the various states through
the war department.
The Governor of Georgia, for Instance,
Is asked to send 3,174 soldiers.
In furnishing these soldiers th* members
of 'the militia are to be given the first
chance.
The records at the war department show
that there are 4,366 militiamen actually
serving in Georgia. If, therefore, militia
men up to the number #f 3,174 desire to
serve there will be no chance for anybody
else. But It is entirely optional with each
man whether he becomes a volunteer or
not.
The order Issued by the Secretary of
War this afternoon appointing Maj. Gen.
John R. Brooke to the command of the
army corps in the South Is regarded In
army circles as of great Importance.
Under the order, Maj. Gen. Brooke’s head
quarters are to be at Camp George H.
Thomas, Chlckamauga Park, Georgia, and
it is to consist of one division of cavalry,
one division of infantry and one brigade
of light artillery.
The cavalry and Infantry• divisions are
to consist of not more than three brigades,
or three regiments each, while the artil
lery brigade is to consist of two battalions
of five batteries each. The order In
Maj.Gen. Brooke to place the senior
officers of each army in command of those
arms.
The particular significance given to this
order Is that it places Maj. Gen. Brooke
in command of what will probably be the
first army of invasion of Cuba.
With this order comes the announce,
ment that Gen. Miles’ visit t j> the South
is indefinitely postponed. It is believed
that this means that Maj. Gen. Brooke,
not Gen. Mild*. U to be at the head of
the invading army. Maj. Gen. Brooke has
an excellent career as a fighter, was sev
eral times brevetted for gallantry during
the civil war, and is by many regarded
the best man of those of high rank now
In the army.
The first class at West Point Is to be
graduated next Saturday. As In tha case
Continued on Seventh Page,
GEORGIANS IN THE WAR GAME.
GO A'EH NOR’S ATTITUDE TOWARDS
THE REGIMENTAL OFFICERS.
11l Feeling Canned nt Atlanta by a
Report That lie Will Not Consider
llimscll Gontlned to the Present
l.ist 111 Making Selection* for Act
ive Service—The Governor Makes a
Statement Which Falls to Clear Up
the Donlit.
Atlanta, Ga„ April 23.—1 t will be Monday
before Gov. Atkinson is notified by the Sec
retary of War of the number of volunteers
expected to be raised in Georgia.
The Governor said to-night that he had
had no communication whatever from
Washington in reference to the call for
volunteers and did not look for anything
before Monday's mall.
Press dispatches from Washington to
day state that Georgia’s quota will be
about, 3,000 to 3,600 troops, and while tha
Governor will not discuss his plans in ad
vance of the official notification from the
war department It is understood that he Is
Informally j#oceeding upon this basis in
his communication with the various mili
tary organizations of the state.
Information at the office of the adjutant
general Is that all enlistment will be as In
dividuals, and not by companies or regi
ments as now organized. While men may
be mustered In companies, they will be
subject to. assignment to any’ regiment
that the commander may see proper. Thus
if the entire First Regiment should enlist
in the formation of tho army it might be
scattered In several other different regi
ments, though this would not necessarily
be the case.
Some ill-feeling was caused here to-day
by the report that Gov. Atkinson, who will
have the nomination of all the regimental
officers, would not consider himself con
fined to the present list of officers in m?k
ing selections for active duty, but would
go outside to get his colonels, if he saw
fit.
The report was circulated with especial
reference to the Fifth Regiment, of which
John S. Candler Is the colonel command
ing. The report was that and possibly
other officers of the Fifth would be left
out by the Governor In selecting the slaFf
when the muster roll Is made up.
Officers and men of the regiment were
considerably agitated overtthe report, and
It was brought to the Governor's atten-,
tion. In reference to It, he made the fol
lowing statement, which may mean a good
deal to the colonels who are figuring upon
marching with the Invading army: ”1 have
received no requisition for troops, hav
taken no steps to officer troops, nor have
I determined upon a-try definite course, and
cannot until I know the terms of the re
quisition made upon me and am acquaint:
ed with the provisions of the Hull bill.
I may add, however,that regardless of per
sonal criticism from the men, the officers
or the public, when I come to the appoint
ment of officers I shall select those who
in my opinion, can best care for the men
and render to the country the best serv
ice. Regardless of the personal ambition
of any one I shall appoint, so far as In
my power, the most capable men to com
mand.”
Some of the officers and men of the
Fifth Regiment declared to-day that they
would not enlist if they thought the Gov
ernor intended to ignore their present
staff organization.
It is not believed that the Governor has
any such intention with reference to any
regiment, for the reason that ho is satis
fied that the men now at the head of the
sta'te militia are all fully competent to
command In the face of any emergency.
Th state service is now In better condi
tion than it ever has been and this being
so the governor would hardly be likely to
supercede any of the regimental command
ers who have been so largely Instrumental
in bringing the service up to Its high
standard when the hour of action cOmes.
The Governor is Just military man
enough himself to know that experience
and discipline are worth a great deal In
time of war, and It Is thoroughly safe to
say that he will not go outside the list of
officers now on the rolls as long as there
are enough of such officers willing to vol
unteer.
LEE WILD TO LEAD.
Has No Honht of His Ability to Make
Rnlck Work of the .Spaniards.
Richmond, Va., April 23.—Gen. Fitzhugh
Lee will leave on the noon train Monday
for Washington.
The General appeared somewhat restless
under the restraints placed upon him by
the delay in sending the troops to Cuba.
He is anxious to get bgok to the Island
and attack the Spaniard*, and predicts
that. If he Is put in charge of the troops
down there, he will make quick work of
Captain General Blanco's army.
The announcement from Spain to-day
that Gen. Weyler had conferred with the
Queen Regent, and would return to Cuba
at the head of an army, proved Interesting
reading for Gen. Lee, who said, after lie
read It, that he would like nothing better
than to face Gen. Weyler with an army.
Gen. Lee appears to think that the pro
posed delay in sending troops to Cuba will
prove somewhat dangerous. The rainy
season sets In on the Island about the
middle of June or the first of July, and
he had hoped that the troops would be
sent at once to Cuba, and that the fight,
as far as driving the Spaniards from the
Island, would have been over before the
rain began to fall, because if Americans
unacdlmuted are caught on the Island
after the wet season begins, they will be
very apt to contract fever. 1
lb having been suggested to Gen. Lee
that the Richmond troops, who had at first
been somewhat loth to go to Cuba, had
reconsidered, and were declaring them
selves as prepared to go wherever order
ed. he exclaimed: “Richmond and Vir
ginia will do their duty. I never knew
them to fail, and certainly they can be
depended upon now."
Government Takes Key West wire*.
’ Key West. April 11—Ttye wires here have
been taken by the government. Frees mat
ter Is cermorlzed. Havana connection have
been abandoned ,
Ml IN OF II
Arrival of the Fleet Excites
Havana.
FIRST WARNED BY A FORT.
Firing of a Gun Called the Troops
to Their Quarters,
VESSELS NOT VICIOUS,
Blockade of the Port Up to the
Present Peaceful.
Copyright, 1898, by the Associated Press.
Havana, April 22, 8.30 p. in. (Delayed In
Transmission).—At 4:10 o’clock this (Fri
day) afternoon the semaphore signaled that
a fleet had been sighted on the eastern
side of the Island. It was said to bo with
out any colors to show its nationality.
At 6 p. m. the semaphore signaled that
it was the United States fleet, which was
in sight, and at 6:15 p. m. a red flag was
run up at the signal station, warning guns
were flred from Morro Castle, and after
wards from Cabanas fortress, adjoining it.
This caused excitement throughout the
city, and was the first real note of war.
When the first signal came from Hie
semaphore station, a British schooner
which was In the harbor put to sea. She
was immediately followed by the German
steamer Remus. Some time afterward, the
American steamer Saratoga put to sea.
The cannon shots from the fortresses
stirred up the regular troops and volun
teers throughout Havana and Its vicinity,
and. there was a rush to Quarters.
The signal guns from the fortifications
echoed to the palace and through the
streets, causing people to rush from the
houses, with the result that all the thor
oughfares were soon crowded with ex
cited inhabitants. Thers was no sign of
alarm anywhere.
The Spaniards are confident that Ha
vana Is prepared for any eventuality and
they have great faith In the strength of
their forts, batteries, etc., and th* effect
iveness of their heavy artillery.
As this dispatch Is sent the civil and
military authorities of Havana are in con
sultation at the palace and every precau
tion possible to the Spaniards has been
taken to guard against a night surprise,
and to resist an attack If the bombard
ment Is commenced.
Throughout the evening the scenes of
enthusiasm continued In the harbor dis
tricts and San avenue was full of
people who shouted defiances at the distant
American fleet.
When the news of the capture of the
Spanish steamer Buena Ventura by the
United States cruiser Nashville twenty
miles oft Key West reached here. Admi
ral Manterola, the Spanish naval com
mander wished to prevent the sailing of
the American steamer Saratoga, but Capt.
Gen. Blanco was opposed to this step, and
she was allowed to sail.
It was estimated this evening that there
were from 46,000 to 50,000 men under arms
in Havana proper.
The district outside of Havana at the
same time was held by the battalions of
engineers.
Scout boats were sent out from the har
bor, always In a straight line, and they
will be coming and going throughout the
night.
AU doctors, lawyers and professional
men have been compelled- to render serv
ice to the government under penalty of
being most severely dealt with.
Captain General Blanco has been re
ceiving telegrams expressing patriotism
and loyalty from all parts of the island.
It Is alleged that the former insurgent.
Brigadier General Masso, has offered to Or
ganize forces in the country to fight the
Americans.
DEFIED lIOHHO’S GUNS.
Erlocson Makes n Flacky Capture of
n Smack.
On Board the Flagship New York, Oft
Havana, April 23, 9 a. m.—The American
fleet is till off Morro castle.
Ne casualty has occurred up to the pres
ent time to any of the American vessel*,
and everything remains quiet.
The torpedo boat Ericsson, during the
the night sighted a fishing boat and gave
chase, capturing the vessel under the guns
of Morro castle.
ERICSSON AT KEY WEST.
I
Torpedo Boat Reports a Peaceful
Blockade of Havana.
Key West, Fla., April 23, 1:20 p. m.—
The torpedo boat Ericsson arrived this
afternoon from the fleet. She left Havana
at 10 o'clock.
There had been no bombardment.
A peaceful blockade had been establish
ed.
Fleet Not Visible From Havana.
Havana, April 23, a. in.—The United
(Hates fleet was not visible early this
morning. Not a shot has yet been fired.
CITY OK PARIS 'NOT CAUGHT.
The l iner Sow Well I'nilrr Way on
Her lot Bui 1 to Sow York.
New York, April 23,—Clement A. Grla
com, vice president of the American Steam
ship Line, said to-night:
“I have Just received a coble message
from the agents of the line tn Southamp
ton, stating that there is absolutely no
truth in the rumor that the steamer I'arls
has beerf captured. She sailed yesterday
afternoon at 2:15 o'clock, and passed the
Lizard last night at 11:46 o’clock. She pro
ceeded on her way from this port, and, cs
since that time nothing has been heard
from her, it is certain that she lias not
been taken. Had she been overhauled by
a Spanish vessel, the captor and her prize
would have put about for some Spanish
port, but, as no vessel arriving either at
Southampton or any other port, reported
her, we are certain that site is well on her
way to New York.”
London, April 23.—A report was In circu
lation to-day that the American liner
l’arls, chartered t>y the United States gov
ernment, which sailed from Southampton
yesterday afternoon for New York, had
been captured by the Spaniards. A sec
ond report sakl th# Paris was returning
to Southampton. Both reports are dis
credited.
The llrst rumor appears to have arisen
from the fact that before sailing the cap
tain of the Parts was warned to run for
the nearest port In case of danger. As
to the second rumor, it is pointed out that
the Paris passed the Lizard at 11:45 o'clock
last night.
SHENANDOAH SAFE.
Ileport of Her Capture believed to He
Untrue.
London, April 23.—1 tls reported here
that the Spaniards have captured the
American ship Shenandoah, Cnpt. Murphy,
which left San Francisco on Jan. 5 for
Liverpool, She Is a four-masted vessel of
3,268 tons register, and owned by Arthur
Bewail & Cos. of Bath, Me.
Q. V. Dearborn, agent for the Bhenan
doah, said In reference to the above dis
patch that he had heard from trustworthy
sources that It was not his boat, but the
British steamer Shenandoah, bound from
Newport News April 13 for Liverpool,
that had been boarded and examined by
the Spaniards.
Ban Francisco, April 23.—The Shenan
doah carried over 100,000 centals of wheat
and 2,000 of barley, valued at $156,000,
CARGO OP RUM CAPTURED.
The Sqnndron Blocking On bn. Not All
llefore Havana.
Key West, Fla., April 24, S a. m.—The
fleet caiitufed another prize yesterday aft
ernoon, the schooner Mathllde of Havana,
laden with rum.
The schooner was taken by the torpedo
boot Porter, after a lively chase, during
which a number of solid shots were fired.
A prize crew from the flagship was put
on board the schooner, but no ship could
be spared to tow her, and she was brought
ir.to Key West in tow of the Associated
Press dispatch boat Dauntless, which ar
rived about midnight.
The Dauntless reports that the fleet has
been divided. The Nashville and the Mi
chlas, or Castine, sailed west at 10 o’clock
this morning, while the Amphitrltfe, the
Puritan, the Cincinnati and the Castine or
Mach las sailed east later.
The rest of the fleet, at 3:30 o’clock In the
afternoon, was blockading Havana, which
is distant ten miles to the southward.
SEIZURE OP SHIPS.
Ilucnn Ventura the Only One Offi
cially Known at Navy Department.
Washington, April 23.—The navy depart
ment was considerably excited to-day over
a vast number of rumors which came from
all sources respecting seizures of ships.
At the close of the day. Secretary Long
said that he had a notice of only one seiz
ure so far, that of the Buena Ventura, al
ready reported.
It has not yet been determined what dis
position to make of this ship, nor has It
been decided to order her before a prize
, court.
No purchases of ships were made during
the day, but all the energies of the depart
ment are bent toward the speedy equip
ment of those already acquired.
It is not believed that any official notice
has been received by the department con
cerning the blockading squadron, although
rigid adhesion to the rules o t not giving
any news as to the movement of ships
might have prevented knowledge of any
such dispatch from leaking out.
Word came during the day In the shape
of a cable frona-Martlnique that the Span
ish ships Alicante and Montserrat had
sailed to-day from Saint Pierre for 1 some
Cuban port, having on board 800 men. It
Is likely that his information will be speed
ily communicated to CapL Sampson.
SPANISH SHIP TO RE SEIZED.
Revenue Cutter to Hag One That
nine Into Port Unaware of War.
Mobile, Ala., April 23.—The Spanish
steamer L§</umlna, from South America,
arrived at Ship Island, Miss., yesterday
for cargo, and this afternoon Collector
J. W. Burke of Mobile dispatched the
cutter Winona to the island to capture the
vessel.
The cutter left at 5 o’clock and ought to
be at the Island by midnight and effect
capture by daybreak.
The La Cumlna Is a One freight steamer
and carne Into port without knowing of
the war. The Winona is armed with a
Hotchkiss gun and has a crew of forty
two men under command of Capt. Good
ing.
Counter Huns the Rloekade,
Havana, April 23, 10:16 a. m.~A Spanish
coaster, the Cosine Herrera, has Just ar
rived here from Bagua la Grande,
f DAILY. T 9 A YBIll
■( 5 CUNTS A COPT.
I WEEKLY 2-TIMES-A-WElfiK SI A THAIS
m HEN 101
Two of Schlay's Cracks oo it
Mysterious Mission.
PERHAPS CO TO THE PARIS.
Their Departure Causes a Lot- ol
Excitement.
and
GO OUT IN TEETH OF A GALE
First Theory Was That They Wer*
to Convoy a Troop Ship.
Fort Monroe, April 23. 9:10 p. m.—Th®
convoy Panther, with 800 marines aboard,
bound for Key West, arrived here to-night
at 7 o’clock.
At 9 o'clock Commodore Schley of th*
Flying Squadron received orders direct*
Ing him to provide a guard for the con*
voy.
The Minneapolis and Columbia were im
mediately detailed, and at 9:10 o'clock th®
Minneapolis fired a gun for all aboard.
The gun from the Minneapolis was th®
Signal for great excitement, both on shor®
and on board the ship*.
Officers with side arms notified Ihos®
ashore to hurry aboard and there we.®
good-byes said In a hurried way, while of
ficers on both boats professed lgnoranc®
of orders so far as destination is con
cerned.
Commodore Schley said to the Associated
Press representative: "I cannot dlvulg®
the destination of the detached vessels.
They are going to sea.”
Humor said that the vessels might have
a different destination after passing tha
capes at the entrance of this harbor, than
merely convoying the transport wltri
troops. Tt was possible that the two fast
ships might go out and meet the Paris
en route to New York city. The trans
port with the marines on board might stay
close enough to the coast to run In shorn
If any enemy was seen, and the Paris wa®
too valuable a ship to lose.
On the other hand, it Is fairly certain
that the two fast cruisers will simply bo
a convoy for the troope' transport. Tha
Columbia and Minneapolis are the fastest
ships In the nqyy and can make an aver
age of twenty-one knots per hour.
The last rumor was to the effect that
the Minneapolis was to run after tha
Paris and the Columbia to guard the trans
ports to Key West,'but the improbability
of this Is seen In- the fact that the Paris
could be in New York harbor under forced
steam before the Minneapolis could find
her.
It Is highly probable that both cruiser®
will be in Key West in a day or two with
the troops' transport. Both cruisers are
heavily armed, and will give a hot fight la
any enemy known to be on this coast.
There is one thing that lends color to
Ihe theory that one ship is after the Paris,
and one to be a convoy, and that Is, that
there is no Spanish ship near this coast
that could not be controlled by either on*
of the big cruisers.
There was nothing of exciting interest
during the day about the Flying Squad
ron, and nothing more to be said about
It than that it is in oomplets readiness tat
move at short notice.
Officers had shore leave during the aft
ernoon, but the end of such leave saw ev
ery one on board.
. The usual drills were gone through wltrt
on all the ships.
The converted revenue cutter Hamilton
passed the flagship Brooklyn on her wayf
out this afternoon, and asked permission
to proceed. She did not give her destina
tion.
The Hudson and Merrill, both converted
revenue cutters, also went out to their des
tination, Key West, to-day.
Fort Monroe, April 24, 3 a. m.—The Min
neapolis left at 10:46 o'clock last night, fol
lowed by the Columbia, a few minutes la
ter.
The transport Panther with 750 marines
aboard Is still anchored in Hampton
Hoads. A heavy gale Is blowing.
FERN ARRIVES AT TAMPA.
firings Forty-Eight Boxes of Six-
Pound Cartridges From the Maine.
Tampa, Fla., April 23.—The dispatch
boat Fern arrived this afternoon from Key
West with four dozen boxes of 6-pound
cartridges taken from the wrecked battle
ship Maine. They were sent to the navy
yurd at New York.
Four curs of ammunition arrived oves
the Plant System this evening and it is
now being loaded on the Fern, which will
depart for Dry Tortugas to-morrow.
Tt epedo llont Audits Bendy to Sail,
London, April 23.—Special dispatches
from Queenstown say the Spanish tor
pedo boat Audaz bus completed her re.
pairs and Is awaiting orders. It is ex
peeled she will leave Monday.
Spain’s Fleet Hits Sailed.
London. April 23. It is reported at tha
United States embassy here, In apite of
denials that Ihe Spanish fleet Is on its way,
Horn the Canary Island® to Key West,