Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-05-21
GENERAL WAR SITUATION.
Continued from page ~

A beginning was made, today,
towards the organization of the indie
pendent volunteer forces under author
| ty conferred upon the President by
special resolution. The National
Guard will have part in these organiza-
| tions which will be made up of engi-
neers, immunes and electricians.
| The staff assignments are coming out
rapidly in the general orders issued by
the department, the appointments be-
ing made generally upon the request of
the major generals and the brigadier
generals yet to be provided fir in this
matter.
The state department. today, an
| nounced that the steamer Polaria, at
Key West, which was authorized to
land certain passengers in Havana, hal
declined to avail itself of the privilege;
50 the department is relieved Of what
promised to be an embarrassing in
! cident, and of the necessity of estab-
iIoiilHS WHAT HllSll pioNt " pf q u'it-
| gerous precedent.
| The department published in the
shape of consular reports, today some
statistics from United States Consul
| Williams at Manila. They show that
| last year out of 322 vessels of all kinds
departing from the Philippines. - We're
from the United States. 1870 from Great
! Britain, 80 from Germany and 4 from
| Spain. The arrivals were about in the
same proportion. Mr.. Williams last
report is dated. April ,. showing most
nourshing condition Of the Manila
customs, the receipts for February
last exceeding by $6l.940. the receipts
for the corresponding month of 1897
Officials here dismiss as pure nven-
ton the story coming from Montreal
that former Minister Polo has sue
| ceeded in securing for Spain a coaling
station on one of the French islands of
ST. Pierre and Miquelon, off the New
Foundland coast. At the French en-
| bassy the report is treated with indig-
nant contempt, as the French decree
of neutrality is binding on the French
governor of these islands, and effectu-
ally prevents the granting of such eX-
ccptional privileges as coa1ing stations.
The navy department is about to call
for bids for a steel floating dock cap
able of floating ship of $1,000 tons, to
cost $500 600. to be located at New Or
leans. This dock When completed will
be one of the finest structures in the
country. Provision for it was made in
the naval appropriation bill as Il re-
suit of recommendations of the naval
board, headed by Admiral Ounce. AL
though located at New Orleans. the
| dock Will be Of the floating type,
similar to the big floating dock at Ha-
vana, which can be lowed to any
| point desired.
| The department is also looking for
ward to securing docks at other points.
y board consisting of Admiral Ram
say. Engineer Assertion and Naval
Constructor Linnard, Will begin meet
ings at the navy department, next
| Monday, before going to Galveston,
and Sabin Pass, Texas, and points
| along Chesapeake bay, with view to
recommending sites for docks. The
board was authorized by the recent
naval bill.
Another project for docks is con-
! tanned in the deficiency appropriation
bill now before Congress. This pro-
vidcs for the Immediate purchase of
t"o floating decks. AS soon as the bin
becomes law the department knows
where it can purchase these docks,
ready for service. They are al New
York, and although of wood and com
paratively small, they will be Of in
cstimable service on being lowed to
| Key West. where they will accommo-
date all but the largest hattleships and
cruisers.
The department hopes to own these
docks within few weeks, perhaps
days. as the need of docking and
scraping the warships which have
been in Southern waters for long
time is becoming imperative.
THE SAN JAUN FIGHT.