Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-03-16
SPAIN'S OBJECTION
oConsinued from First Page.)
| plans of thf board. and particularly as to
whether or lot ltMin return to Havana.
Enf4stink Artillerymen.

whether or Hot ItjWill return TO Havana.
EnHlstink ArtiIlerymen.
Considering tha competition offered by
the navy AID MAXINE Corps in the enlist
| Hlent of recruits, the War Department feels
that it is doing very well in securing men
for the artillery regiments. The adjutants
generals report Ecday was that 30 men
had now been secured This is at the rate
OF 500 per nsonth and about as fast as the
men can BIZ properly taken care of. The
officials are careful to insist that. while
they are defirous of securing as many re-
craits as passilleA they have in no degree
abated the higa requirements of the army
as to physical and moral qualities. They
want the best men, The reports indicate
tifat every section of the country is con-
trloutihg to the enlisuments, and those from
Dalias, Tex, are particularly encouraging.
WIN view to fastening the organization
oi the artillery regiments the department
mas issued an order prohibiting permit
ing men who formerly served in the ar
tillery branches ard have since transferred
10 the cavalry and infantry branches to
return to the artillery arm. There are a
number of men of this kind who seek trans
Ter IN order TO be at the seacoast in time
of trouble
acquisitions by Secretary AIger.
secretary Alger has made acquisitions on
the President for two large allotments from
the appropriation of $50, 600, 900 for the ma
t'ohai defense. One is for 5000, 600 for the
use. CT the engineer department of the army
IN the completion of certain fertilization
works along the Atlantic and gulf coasts
now In progress and the other is for 81 DDS
wv Tor the use OF the ordnance department
OF the army in the requirement of arms
ana ammunition. Pretty much all of this
money is needed to cover contracts already
made by the military establishment
All the private establishments engaged in
Ililng orders TO- the ordnance department
OF the army in thes manufacture of small
arms, ammunition and ordnance supplies
generally have been requested by the Sec
rotary OF War to put on day and night
shifts of men and to expedite the govern
ment work as much possible. 1t is ex-
planned at the War Department that this
must not be regarded in the light of war
measure, but should be looked upon as it
actually is. namely. a simple precaution
against being found defenseless in case an
emergency should arise.
Merchant Vessels Available,
Reports received by the Navy Depart
ment show that there are 900 merchant
vessels of all types available for the serv-
Ice of the government In case of an out
break Of hostilities. Included In this num-
Der are many vessels the lakes which
would not be used under any circum-
stances save failure to project the At
lant1c ports by the coast vessels which
would be first impressed into service OF
the latter class of vessels forty-three are
on the list of auxiliary cruisers being
subsidized by thesgovernment for the car
ryfng of malls. They first-class ships
or nigh speed and extensive steaming ra-
Illus. In case they are called into rear;si-
ton they will be provided with guns man.
ufactured at thesL Washington navy yard
and form part ofthe auxiliary fleets used
to harass the MERCHANTMEN of the enemy.
To nnrry the Princeton.
Orders have been issued to the builders
of the g'lnbeat P.srceton at Camden. NJ,
tn expedite the vGras on that vessel in or
der to have her in readiness for sea IN
two weeks }ime.yf possible. The contract
for the completion Of this vessel expired
about year ago, since which time the
builders have beer urder a penalty of 800
per day. They claim that the delay. was
due to the failure oof the government to
properly supervise the work. The Prince
ton is the last of the gunboats contracted
for by the government. Five other ships
of the same class contracted for at the
same time have been delivered to the gov
eminent and are now in commission 1t Is
said that unless the contractors are able
to deliver the ship ir two weeks time she
will be taken to one of the navy yards for
completion.
After More Wnrships.
Although the Secretary of the Navy is
still pursuing with vigor his quest for suit
able warships that may be purchased in
Europe beyond the two already secured at
the Armstrong works. no further acquisi-
tons have been made. AS it was expressed
at the depa rtment by high Official there
do not seem to be any ships in the mar
ket.' This Is not exactly the idea meant
to be conveyed. There are a large number
of ships in the market. and many of these
have been offered to the department. but,
unfortunately, the vessels are unsui table in
general character for naval purposes or
else are SO far from completion as to be
undesirable purchases. Perhaps better sue
cess may attend the department. efforts.
now that Capt. Brownson has arrived IN
Europe.
Meanwhile it appears that there is a
here available for naval use than was gen.
orally supposed. Of course these are not
battle ships nor are they capable of trans
formation into armored craft, but many
of them will make very efficient cruisers
and gunboats almost equal to vessels Of
unprotected cruiser type now in the navy.
The Mayaoyser Acquired.
Such vessel was acquired today by the
department, the negotiations being closed
upon the report of the board of inspection
OF auxiliary cruisers now at work in New
York. This is the pretty steel yacht May
flower. the property of the Ogden-Goelet
estate This vessel was built in Scotland
b. Thompson in 1S97. She is of 24OO tons
displacement. 30 feet long, SO feet broad
and 10 feet draft. She has 600 tons coal
caracity, and. with twin screws, is rated
as a seventeen-knot vessel She is equip
ped with all modern appliances. search
lights. electric plants, distiilers and evap-
orators. An unusual feature for a vessel
of this class Is that she has already a
small but effective battery aboard, COM
posed Of twA thta pounder Hotchkiss guns,
+rx,r n md