Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1898-08-16
Upon the Wishes of the People Will Depend the Number of
 Men Reserved For Use.
FORGE OF THE NAVY
 TO BE CUT DOWN.
A Board of Naval Officers Will De- eide What Auxiliary Steamers Will Be Kept in Commis-
 sion by United States.

Washington, Aug lG-President Mo- Kinley is now eanvassing public senti- ment as to the needs of military organi- zation in time of peace and has consulted number of visitors as to how much of an army they think should be kept up after the treaty of peace is executed. No conclusion has been reached as yet on this point, but it is receiving considera- ble attention on the part of the adminis- tration.
 Governor Shaw of Iowa was one of the prominent visitors at the White House. He was presented by Secretary of Agriculture Wilson, who drove over with him from the department and placed his carriage at the disposal of the governor, who has just reached here from trip of inspection at Chickamau- ga and Jacksonville and also visit to Fernandina, where the brigade general represents his state. He paid his re- spects to the president and took occasion to report the condition of the Iowa troops at the camp. He said that in general way they were in very fair shape, but made number of suggestions looking to their convenience and com fort He asked also how long it would be before their disbandment might be effected, now that the peace protocol is a closed document, but the president himself has not fixed an opinion on this point.
 Acting Secretary of the Navy Allen was with the president part of the morning going over important matters in detail, incident to the close of the war including the question of the reor- gahization of the present navy and it's reduction as to what is actually needed.
 It was decided to create board of five naval officers to pass upon the mat ter. Acting Sectetary Allen said that the board will be appointed immediately and that 1t would convene probably be- fore the close of this week. Its function will be to determine what vessels now in the navy should be retained, which of them should have their government charters discontinued or their use by the government otherwise dispensed with, what changes to make in vessels kept etc. This board will consist as now planned, of three officers of all around naval ability, one engineer and one constructor.
 Secretary Day had brief conference with the president, but had nothing new to disclose. A few other officials called during the day, but the absence of the rush that has characterized the White House during the war are very marked. As an evidence of the cessation of hos tilitiss the navy department is again making public the movements of naval vessels which have been suspended dur ing the war. The bulletin given out an- nounced the St. Paul sailed from Playa del Este, Cuba, to Montauk, Dixie and Yankee from Playa to north coast of Cuba. The Brooklyn from Playa to south coast of Cuba, Oneida from Key West to Havana and Topeka from Key West to the Isle of Pines, Hercules from Port Royal to Norfolk and the Kanawha from Port Royal to Key West. The Scion has arrived from Key West and the Dolphin at Lambert's Point and So- lace at Playa.