The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-03-09
THE DEPARTMENTS BUSY.
A Strong Suggestion of What Might Exist
in Case of War.

Washington, March S.-There was q
very strong suggestion of the state OF
affairs that might exist in time OF war IN
the busy scenes present at the navy and
war departments today.
There was almost an unbroken success
sion of conferences between officers and
officials of various degrees and at both
branches of the war establishment the
greatest activity was exhibited.
Secretary Long was particularly busy.
Before ten O'Clock he had been obliged to
retire to his private office and deny him
self to callers in order to hold con-
| ference.
Senator Lodge was present as we'll as
Chairman Hale of the Senate naval COM
mittee. Chairman Boutelle of the House
naval committee, Captain Crowninsh1eld,
chief of the navigation bureau, Captain
Bradford, chief of the equipment bureau,
Captain Brownson and Assistant Score
tary Roosevelt. Chief Constructor H1ch-
born and Admiral Matthews, chief of the
bureau of yards and docks were also
called to the conference by the secretary
to deal with the special phases OF the
question under consideration.
The conference had to do with the
preparations for putting the navy at the
highest state of efficiency and the fact
that the secretary is consulting at every
step the representatives of the Legislative
branch of the government, Shove the de-
sire of the President to keep within the
strict spirit of the Constitution
| The secretary found time during the
progress of the conference to talk a
moment with Mr.. lame, who has sub
mitted to the department. proposals Tor
| the sale of certain warships now building
in Europe at private shipyards. What
passed between them is not known. but
Mr. Lane hastened Immediately to the
cable office at the conclusion OF the con-
versation to communicate directly WIN
| his principals in Europe.
| The secretary made 1T plain to the legls-
| lators at the conference that the DEPART
ment Is very much better prepared than
has been supposed in the matter of accu
rate information Of the shipbuilding in
progress in European shipyards.
But the departmentfnow seeks informa-
ton as to which of these ships can be
purchased Immediately. 1t is particularly
with a view to acquiring information on
this point that Captain Brownson has
been selected to go to Europe.
| He is an officer of great discretion and
| his experience on the board OF inspection
| has thoroughly familiariZed him with all
| of the de ais of the various types of war
ships. During the conference this morn
| ing he was fully acquainted with the
views of the secretary and his advisers.
| After the conference he had long inter-
view with Assistant Secretary Day OF the
State Department. and arranged to obtain
Iletters to the United States ambassadors
1 and ministrs nbroa1, instructfnga them to
place every force st their disposal at work
to help Captain Brownson. q sosia:
| 1t is known positively that negotiations
are In progress towards having the United
| States acquire the two crack cruisers now
building for Japan, one at Cramps ship
yard as Philadelphia, and the other at the
/ Union Iron Works of San Francisco.