The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-03-23

aries. Word of its departure has not
yet reached the department. II can be
stated positively that the report that
President Mckinley has protested
against the coming of the fiotilla is
unwarranted. There has been no such
protest.
At the navy department nothing is
known of the reported ordering home
Of the Maine officers now at Havana.
II is said that there orders, IL given,
would come from Admiral Sicard. and
not from the navy department. The
seven Maine survivors who were re-
ceived here last Saturday. came in re-
sponse to orders from Admiral Sicard,
and ii was for this reason that their ar
rival was a surprise to the naval off,
cials here.
1t is not expected that Captain Sigs-
bee. Lieutenant Commander Vain
wright and others who are assisting i'm
the work of wreckage will leave Ha-
vana until the salvage of the Maine is
completed. Serious attention is being
given by the navy department officials
to the question of acquisition of a suit
able location for coaling station
somewhere i'm the West Indies. Steps
have already been taken to establish
such a station at the Dry Tortugas, but
this. it is said. is the only deep water
harbor available for big war vessels
between Hampton Roads and the Rio
Grande. Besides. IL is practically un-
protected at present and a fleet would
have to be stationed there to protect
the coal stores. which is unsatisfactory.
The officials therefore have been cast
ing about for a location which would
serve the purposes of a coaling sta
tion and which the United States might
acquire either with a purchase or ces-
sion from one of the friendly govern
ments. There are number of fine
harbors among the West Indies. said a
naval officer to-day. and in one of them
we ought to have coaling station.
Secretary Long is considering the mat
ter and 1t is probable that IL the gov
ernment can make the necessary ar
rangements, station will be Sc
cured.
The Importance of securing It. the Of
ficials point out, is very great. as i'm
the event of hostilities our ships might
be put to very great inconvenience an1
delay In filling their bunkers when their
presence might be needed to protect
critical points.
At the war department bids were
opened in the bureau of ordnance for
supplying 100000 pounds of brown pris-
matte powder for the sea coast fortifica-
tion guns. There were only two bidders.
the California Powder company and
the Dupont Powder company. The for
mer concern offered to supply the pow
der at the rate of 32.115 cents per pound.
Twenty-one days after receiving the
contract they will begin delivering the
powder at the rate of $4,000 pounds
weekly.
The Dupont company bid 32.175 cents
per pound for that to be delivered at
the powder arsenal at Dover. N. j.. and
34175 cents per pound for that to be
delivered at the Benecia arsenal. Cali
fornia.
In day or two the ordnance bureau
will award the contract for supplying
the department with 100000 smokeless
powder rifle cartridges of 30-caliber.
The war department has received in
formation of the recent arrival at New
York of the steamer Nordkyn with 300
pounds of smokeless powder from
abroad. This powder is for testing pur-
poses at the Sandy Hook proving
grounds