The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-03-16

New York, March ia press dis
patch from Key West says: "A shat
tered section of a submarine cable. con-
tanning seven conductors for setting off
mines, is in the possession of the board
of inquiry
The cable led to the mine under the
Maine. The discovery was made by
divers at the Maine wreck.
This proves that the mine which
blew up the Maine was connected with
switchboard ashore which was in
charge of a trusted and responsible
agent
The Worlds correspondent at Ha-
vana telegraphs today that the report
of the naval board OF inquiry viii be
ready to forward to Washington in two
or three days at the outside. a few lit
tie details of expert testimony are be
ing carefully collected to wind up
things, and the drawings and plans
based on the divers Investigations are
nearly finished. The divers are only
working now to verify the points al
ready suggested by previous discoveries
and 10 take accurate measurements of
certain important places of the wrecked
cruiser and the twisted ram, which, the
correspondent asserts. lies in such a
force destroyed the battleshiD.
REPORT EXPECTED THIS WEEK.
Washington. March 15.-"The general
expectation of the members of the
cabinet" said one Of them, after the
meeting today, rs that some report
will he received during the present
week from the court of inquiry exam
lining into the cause of the Maine eX-
plosion, YET he added, 1t would not
be surprising to us if the report should
lyts delayed for a longer time. We have
nothing on which to base that hope
that / know of. only the feeling seems
general that what I have said will be
the case. There is nothing at hand as
yet to indicate what viii he the nature
of the findings of the court.
SOURCE OF SATISFACTION.
To-day our time was occupied in a
discussion of the measures under way
for the national defense and the acqui-
sition of new war vessels. We are keep
ing an eye on the two ships under con-
structiOn fer Chile and Argentina but
it is not probable we can get them. If
we cannot obtain the ships, il is
source Of satisfaction to know that
Spain viii not be able to purchase
them either"
a BUSY DAY.
This was another busy day in the
war and navy departments. Secretary
Alger was enabled to make an allot-
ment of funds from the appropriation
of $4,000, 600. which viii greatly facili-
tate the work NJ the bureaus These
bureaus had not been able TO conclude
any contracts for tie procurement Of
%arship supplies, because no allotment
had been made, but this afternoon the
ordnance bureau was given s.. SOC, 900
and business went forward with a rush.
1t is true that this sum is already
mortgaged under provisional arrange
ments made during the past week, but
with the assurance Of more funds to
come, the work of the bureau is now
moving rapidly.
SAW A GREAT MANY.
Secretary Long was exceedingly busy
today, having not only TO give good
deal of time to the cabinet to which
he was obliged to return twice. but
also being obliged To see a great many
persons with whom the department has
or expects 20 have contract relations.
Among the latter was Mr.. Herreshoff,
the torpedo boat builder, from Bristol,
f. !. He turned two Of these boats
over tc the department few days ago.
and the secretary's purpose in consult
ing him was to learn how much he
could hasten the work or one of the
boats remaining in his hands. which,
in ordinary times. would require about
two months 10 complete.
DISPOSITION OF HOUSE.
There is a strong disposition in the
house naval committee to increase the
navy, in addition to the three battle
ships recently authorized, by the con-
struction of some of the smaller vessels /
OF war. It was stated tonight that the !
committee may authorize the building
OF ten torpedo boat destroyers, costing /!
in tie neighborhoOd of Sl.5G0. goo for all I
A movement for this increase will be /
made tomorrow. and Representative /
Bull Of Rhode Island will submit /
motion calling for the construction of I
number of both of these classes of (
boats, probably six. Others of the COM /
mittee are favorable 10 the increase, !
and some important action is looked for /
The increases in the personnel asked /
for by Secretary Long also viii be
taken up tomorrow.
SIX INSTEAD OF THREE.
A good deal of encourag ement was
created at the navy department today
by a report from the capitol that a
majority of the naval affairs committee
is disposed to substitute six battieships
for the three provided for in the pend
ing naval appropriation bill. This num-
Der is supposed to represent about the
normal working capacity of the three
shinbuilding concerns in this country
that are able ar present 10 undertake
the construction of battleships.
The Notifications board began its
sessions today in the war department
The proceedings are guarded zealously
against publication.
ARMS AND PROJECTILES.
4 representative of the Winchester
Arms company was in conference to-
day with General Niles and General
: Ter. Al me Office Of the bureau IF
Cr.a 1nce Of tle army g.ith view To
aricus patterns Of
cncern. and Of
-he5e could
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