The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-03-17

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 steel yacht May flower,
the property of the Ogden Goelet estate.
This vessel was built by Thomson in 1897.
She is of 24O0 tons displacement, 278 feet
long, Sc feet beam and 16 feet draught.
She has 600 tons coal capacity and with
two screws is rated as n seventeen knot
vessels. She is equipped with all modern
appliances, searchlights, electric plant,
distillers and evaporators. she mas al
ready a small but efficient battery aboard,
composed of two three FOUNDER Hotchkiss
guns, two one Founders and two machine
guns. The vessel is in New York now
and is to be delivered at once. She can
be easily transformed owing to her
staunch construction. into Roou ue
spatch boat or small cruiser about eq ual
to the CasSine class, although lacking the
protective deck of the latter.
COMMANDER .BROWNSON3 IN
LONDON.
London, March h16.-Commauder W. II:
Brownson, the special commissioner or
the United States navy department. for
the inspection and selection for kpurcnase,
If conditions should require, OF warshlps
80
rived here today.
In the course of brief interview Com
mander Brownson expressed himself as
gratifed to learn that the government
had purchased the Brazilian cruisers
Amazonas and AbrOual.
Commander Brownson went 1mmedI-
ately to the United States embassy where
he had a conference with Lieut.. Col. Well,
the naval attache.
A LOYAL RESPONSE.
Raleigh, N. c., March 16.-Governor
Russell today received a message from
President asking how many troops the
state could furnish in case of hostilitles.
The reply of the governor gave 245, 900 as
the number.
AUXILIARY BOARD IN BOSTON.
Boston, March 16.--Engineer A. r.
Dixon and Lieut.. Nathan Sargent OF the
United States board of auxiliary cruisers
arrived here today from New York. They
came to make arrangements Tor steamers
flying the American flag running out OF
cruisers, transport ships or supply ships
in the event of war with Spain. The
steamship lines flying the American hag
with agents in this city are i've in num-
ber.
LET EACH GO HALF WAY.
Madrid, March 16.-El Heraldo, in a
very concliatory article, supposed In Of
fetal circles to be inspired, after poo-poo-
ing the fiction that Spain desired to
provoke war;" says: IF the United
States really wanted peace and Spain ins n
resolved to maintain it, let each go half
way. and the pacif1cation OF Cuba and
the tranq utility of Europe will be accom-
plished.
PORTER DID NOT SAIL.
Kew West. March 16.-The torpedo boat
Porter did not sail for the Tortugas as
cabled this morning. She is still here.
Lieut.. Commander Mark came ashore
later and had a consultation with Hear
Admiral Sioard. 1t is said that the court
itself has not decided whether 1T will hold
sessions here today.
Six OF the Names survivors will leave
here tonight for their homes The others
are held here, presumably, to give further
testimony before the court of inquiry.
Those who leave today for Tampa are
I.ieuts. Holman, Blandin and Catlln or
the marines. naval cadets Washington
and Crenshaw, and Boatswain Larkins.