The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-03-30


army and navy departments continue
to show many evidences of activity but
there is not that extreme energy of
preparation evident last week. Capt.
Sigsbee had several talks with Secre-
tary Long during the day and at the
close Of office hours the secretary ac-
companied Capt. Sigsbee to the White
house and presented him to the presi-
dent
Mr.. Long says that no determination
has been reached thus far as to Capt.
Sigsbee's next assignment. But as one
of the high officials Of the navy depart
ment remarked, the commander of the
wrecked battleship can have about
anything he wants.
board is considering what should
be done with the wreck Of the Maine.
At first 1t seemed possible to save some
part Of the ship, and certainly the big
guns and turrets. But this has been
about abandoned and the board now
sitting is expected to report to secre-
tary Long in a day or two on what
final steps shall be taken.
1t is probable that what remains of
the wreck will be abandoned.
The navy department made no furth-
err purchases Of foreign ships today al
though the naval attaches abroad con-
tinue to make inspection of ships at
the several large yards.
Significant Conference.
A significant conference was held
during the day between Representa-
tives of the war and navy departments
to determine whether New Orleans,
Mobile, or Tampa was best adapted as
a base Of operations both military and
naval, in the event of war. The repre-
sentative of the navy was Capt. Bar
ker, naval aide to secretary Long, and
for the army, Col. Wagner, chief of the
bureau of information Of the army.
These officers were named last week as
a commission to harmonic the action
Of the war and naval branches. Their
work is not to be confined to harmonic
ing the mere administrative routine,
but takes much wider scope in antici-
patton of possible hostilities.
Their meeting today developed the
first important question for their deter
mination, that of selecting the city on
the gulf most suitable in case of war
for ready access to Cuba. The exami-
nation is particularly directed toward
ascertaining the railroad facilities from
all sections of the country leading to
the points on the gulf named above
No determination has yet been reached
on the subject as it is but one of a
this commission will Investigate.
Surgean General Van Reypen, Of the
navy, has about completed the pre-
1iminary arrangements necessary to
the fitting out and manning Of float
ing hospital ship for use in case of war.
He has several vessels in mind which
he believes well adapted for this pur
pose, but none has been purchased as
yet.
The formal report OF the medical
board of officers Of the North Atlantic
squadron that sat in Admiral Sicard'S
case, shows that he was suffering from
what is technically known as chronic
malaria. 1t was upon the report Of this
board that the admiral was relieved Of
his command and granted six months
leave Of absence.
Mosquito Stings.
The ordnance bureau is actively at
work preparing for the armament of
the yachts and tugs which have just
been acquired by purchase by the
navy and by loan from the treasury
department.
On the tugs and yachts the ordnance
bureau will install such six-pounders
as may be- available for the purpose,
while on the cutters will be put some
four-inch and several six-pounders, all
Of the rapidf1re class.
PaymaSter Ray, the financial officer
of the Maine, reported his arrival to
the navy department today. He is
here to settle the accounts of the Of
flcerS and men Of the vessel. He will
take as basis for the settlement of all
accounts the latest reports that were
made by his predecessor, and from
them will determine the amount that
is due to the officers and crew. What
ever amounts are found to have been
due to those who lost their lives will
be turned over to their families and
relatives as far as they may be locat-
ed. Paymaster Ray had paid out about
$1,000 during the two weeks he was
aboard, while the remainder of his
safe Of the ship when the accident
occurred. AS this was recovered, the
government lost not dollar in money
1t was stated at the navy depart
ment today that the steam yacht
Giralda, just purchased by Spain, cost
that government probably $3.50, 900. She
is not regarded as very formidable
acquisition to the Spanish navy, as
she is inferior to the Mayf1ower, the
yacht bought by Secretary Long about
two weeks ago.. The Giralda was con-
structed on the Clyde.
Regiment Moved.
At the war department the most i'm
portant development Of the day was
the announcement that the Twenty
fifth regiment Of infantry, now sta
toned in Montana, would be transfer
red to Dry Tortugas in the Gulf Of
Mexico
This regiment is composed entirely Of
colored troops who have been located
in the Northwest for a number Of
years. Their stay in the gulf climate
will prepare them for any service in
Cuba should this be necessary. The
troops will first go to Key West. It
may be that the department will keep
some Of them there and send only a
portion Of the regiment to Tortugas
but this has not been determined def1n-
itely
The movement will begin in about
two weeks, and the troops on arriving
at Tortugas will go into camp, there
being no regular barracks accommoda-
tons at that place for them 1t was
| announced some time ago that the de-
partment would detail a company Of
artillery to man the improved caliber
tends to mount at Fort Jefferson. The
Is presumed. will be instructed in ar
tillery practice, and thus will be en-
abled In case Of necessity to assist the
artillery company in its work.
The ordnance officials Of the army
report that the firms which have been
given contracts for supplying ammuni-
ton, guns, projectiles und gun car
riages are keeping we'll to their prom
ises in the matter of supplying these
munitions of war on time, and they are
being hurried to the Notifications mead.