Arizona republican., 1898-03-11
Government Moving CautiouSlyiR the Matter of War Ships
OFFERS FROM THE WORLD
Nothing Heard Yesterday from
 the Court of Inquiry
The Denial of . Sensational Rumor that Spain Had Becn Not fled that the BelIiGersncy Of Cuba Would be RecoKnized.


 Washington, March 10.-The United States government has not yet ac- quired a single additional ship for the navy. This Is true, not because of lack of offers of warships from abroad, but simply for the reason that the navy department is proceeding with all the circumspection consistent with the needs of the case in looking after the qualities and prices of the craft. Secretary Long was in receipt of large number of cablegrams today, al- most all relating to offers of ships.
 While looking after new ships the officials of the navy department are not neglecting the old vessels, and ar engagements have been made to make short repairs on several ships that in the ordinary course would not be treated in that fashion, but would re- ceive thorough and time-consuming overhau1fng.
 Again it was said at the navy de- partment that nothing had been heard from the court of inquiry at Ha- vana nor from Admiral Sicard at Key West. The presence in the city Of persons connected with steamship lines and steel works led to the circu- lation of number of sensational stories during the day, but perhaps none of these had the persistency of the one that found currency at the capital until it met with a summary de-. nial at the hands of Assistant Secre- tary Day, that Minister Woodford had notified the Spanish government that the president intended to send to con- sIess d message announcing 'nSs recog- hilton of Cuban independence
 conference was held this after noon in the office of Assistant Secre- tary Roosevelt to map out plans for arming and equippins merchant yes sels auxiliary cruisers. MT. Roose- welt presided and the others present were Captain Crowninshield of the bureau of navigation, Captain O'Neil Of the bureau of ordnance, Chief Hich- born of the bureau of construction, and Commander Bradford of the bu- reau of yards and docks. This meet ing had been preceded by a call from President Griscom of the International Navigation company, which owns the four ships, St. Louis, St. Paul, Paris and New York.
 The board meeting brought out a general discussion of the work the various bureaus would be called upon to perform in making these and other vessels ready as auxiliary cruisers. About 95 per cent of this work would fall to the lot of the bureau of con- struction. ,s NAVY YARD ACTIVITY.
 New York, March 1O.-Several hund- red extra mechanics are now employed at the Brooklyn navy yard. The dis patch boat Dolphin has a swarm of painters and about d hundred me chanics rushing work upon her. It is said at the yard that orders are that the Dolphin must be ready in two weeks. Much work is being done on the cruisers Chicago and Atlanta Work on the torpedo boat Stiletto will be completed by the end of the week, when she will be ready for sea. A test was made today of one of a consignment of rapid fire guns just received from the Colt factory at Hartford. The gun is capable of firing 200 shots minute with a range of 1000 yards
 THEY'RE WANTED QUICK.
 Baltimore, March 10.-The torpedo boats being built by the Columbia Iron works are wanted by the govern ment at once. Mayor Malster, who is president of the company, received a telegram from the navy department today saying that the Rodgers must be turned over within a week, and that the Mckee must be ready within thirty days and that work on the sub marine boat Plunger should be pushed as rapidly as possible.