The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-03-16
REPORT MAY BE NEARLY READY
r,pINET OFFICER LOOKS FOR
SOMETHING THIS WEEK.

.dmits, However, That 1t May Not
came to Hand Until Next Week.
Most of the Time at Yesterdays
session Devoted to Consideration
of the Measures Being Taken for
the National Defense-NO OfHcial
animation Received of Proposed
rurODenn Intervention.
washington, March 15.-"The general
.xrectation of the members of the cabi-
net said one of them after the meeting
to-day. 'is that some report will be re-
csived during the present week from the
court Of inquiry examining into the cause
of the Maine explosion.
yet" he added, 'it would not be sur
mort should be delayed for a
longer time. We have nothing on which
T., base this hope that know of, only the
feeling seems general that what 1 have
satd viii be the case. There is nothing
Of hand as yet to indicate what will be the
,sture of the findings of the court.
To-day our time was occupied in a gen.
eral discussion OF tne AiledSulS9 Aol IhS
national defense, notably in regard to the
scouisition of new war vessels. We are
keeping an eye on two ships under con-
struction for Chile and the Argentine Re-
nubllc. but it is not probable we can get
them. If we cannot obtain the ships, it
&c source of satisfaction to know that
snain will not be able to purchase them
either"
The question of the purchase of war YES
sells. where they could be had and at what
nrice. was talked over, but without conf
ing to any definite conclusion on any new
rropositions Information in possession of
the government is to the effect that up to
this tine Spain has not consummated the
purchase of the Chilian warship OHig-
gins. The indications, it is stated, seem
to be that this ship will be added ulti-
mately to the United States navy.
Not much concern is expressed by off,
GERS of the administration over the report
ed intention of European governments, at
the instigation of Austria, to intervene
between the United States and Spain in
the settlement Of the questions pending
between them. So far, it can be stated,
that this has taken no official shape, or at
least no indications of such design has
reached the state department. What the
attitude of our government would be If
representations in that line were address
ed to it by the European powers is ques-
ton that the officials do not care to an
eWer in anticipation.
This was another busy day in the war
and navy departments. Secretary Alger
was enabled to make an allotment OF
funds from the appropriation of $5O,OO0OOO
which will greatly facilitate the work OF
the bureaus. These bureaus had not been
able TO conclude any contracts for the
procurement of war supplies because no
allotment had been made, but this after
noon the ordnance bureau was given
$2j00000. and business went forward with
rush. 1t Is true that this sum Is al
ready mortgaged under provisional ar
rangements made during the past week,
but with the assurance of more funds 10
come the work of the bureau is now NOV
Ing rapidly.
Secretary Long was exceedingly busy to-
day, having not only to give a 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 to
contract relations. Among the latter were
Mr.. Herreshoff, the torpedo boat builder
from Bristol, r. /. He turned two of
these boats over to the department a few
days ago, and the secretary's purpose in
consulting him was to learn how much
ne could hasten the work on one of the
boats remaining on his hands, which,, in
ordinary times, would require about two
months to complete.
ole, nf