The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-03-27
Leads all Ok8r North Carolina DaI88 in B0h News and Circulation

ually to the sailing of Spains torped,
fleet, leaving the impression on the
minds of his visitors that be considered
that so far i'll this matter, Spain is act
ing within the bounds of her own rights
and that no just complaint can yet be
made by this country i'll regard to this
course.
He did not enter into details regarding
the propositions he may make or may
have made to Spain, for undoubtedly
some are now pending, but he left tbs
impression that he would be satisfied
with no settlement that would not give
the Cubans very liberal form of gov
ernmemt. He admitted frankly that au
tonomy had proved a failure, and eX-
pressed the opinion that it would be
as difficult to satisfy the Americans
with any settlement that might be made
as it would be to satisfy the Cubans
themselves. He re-asserted the posi-
bility of securing an agreement on the
part of Spain to allow Cuba to conduct
her own affairs with absolute freedom
except that the island should ibe required
to pay the mother country a specified
sum in the way of tribute every year
out of her revenues, seeming to think
that this would form basis upon which
both Spain and the Cubans could agree
without the sacrifice of too much pride
on either side.
Mr.. Mckinley reverted often in his
conversations to his desire to maintain
peace and dwelt upon the fact that war
meant not only the loss of life and prop
erty but that it also would injure our
a ,,,.b
generally, increase our public debt, add
to our pension roll and result in many
ways to our disadvantage and distress.
He also made it clear that whatever
course he might pursue in the future he
would not at present demand any indem-
nifty at the hands of Spain for the loss
of the Maine, preferring TO leave that
matter to the adjustment of more quiet
period. The President also spoke of pos
sible complications with other nations
but did not manifest any umeasiness on
this score.
Senator's who have visited the Presi-
dent have without exception, so far as
can be learned, assured him that the
Senate appreciates his efforts to preserve
peace under proper conditions and have
told him that there is no danger of pre-
cipitate action in that body. They get
the impression that if the worst comes,
and it is absolutely determined that TO
other course viii avail, the President will
be found ready for armed intervention.
TN the score of politics he assures
them that he would rather see the Re
publican party fail of future success than
to wage an unjust war; but that if war
must come it must he n war for lumani-
ty and that this fact must be made so
evident that he will have the entire ma
ton behind him in a conflict at arms.
Ihe Navy Department. as usual, was
the mos active center of thc DAY.
Commodore Schley came to bid good
bye to Secretary Long before going 10
Hampton Roads to assume command OF
the Flying Squadron. He leaves Wash
sngton tomorrow and will raise his
Commodores flag Monday. His heart is
in this particular assignment, and he
expressed the greatest satisfaction on
starting for this sea service.
Late III the day another shift was
made :n the plans for painting the war
ships, and Captain Crowninshield finally
determined that all the ships of the
Navy should be painted dull lead col
or. This was the color of all Federal
ships during the civil war and is said
to be the best fighting color
The Naval Bureau of Ordnance is
new mounts for a number of
Whitehead tOrpedoes in order to place
them ON the revenue cutters, the newly
acquired yachts and tugs. The torpedo
tubes were originally intended to 90 be-
low deck, but with the new craft the
tubes and mounts must be changed for
service on the upper decks. When this
work is done Captain O'Neil, head of the
bureau, expects to be able to equip
sixty craft, if occasion demands. with
torpedo tubes.
The contracts for the big steel piers,
soal sheds and extensive coal appliances
for loading war vessels at Dry Tortugas
and Key West were let to-day. The
Union Bridge Company of New York
city will build the steel piers, etc. both
1t TOrtugas and Key West. the contract
price being $590,00O. The tracks. cars.
will be furnished by the
Brown Hosting Company of Cleveland
for $151 900. These We're not the low
Est bids, but the Navy Department con-
sidered other features than the amount
bid. The contract calls for completing
the extensive works at Tortugas in
about $50 days and at Key West in
l4O days. Machinery is to be installed
and ready for service ten days later
Formal orders were issued to-day by
Captain Shoemaker, Chief of the Reve-
nue. Cutter Service, for the eight revenue
vessels called into the service of the
Navy to rendezvous at the Norfolk
Navy Yard. The instructions given to
The commanders of the ships were to re-
port at Norfolk between the 9th OF
March and the 9th of April, and there
to have the necessary alterations ana
repairs made upon them at the earliest
possible moment. AS heretofore an
lounced the ships will proceed to Key
West as soon as they can be gotten
ready for service.
Preparations are making by the Licht
House Board to turn over to the Navy
Department the lighthouse tenders and
were issued to-day by the
board to the commanders of the tenders
to make n complete inventory of the
furnishings and equipment of
1he vessels.
The equipments of the vessels and
the other necessary work on them Will
be done at the Norfolk Navy Yard.
For several days Il proposition has
been under consideration by Secretaries