Evening journal., 1898-04-18
oulET IN WASHINGTON.
No Sunday Cabinet Meeting For the First
Time In Weeks.


WASHINGTON. April 1S.-Nestarday
was exceptionally quiet in official cir
cles, and on the surface at least there
were no new developments In tho Span
ish situation. The action of the senate
on Saturday was an absorbing sub
ject Of discussion, and the proba-
bilty of what the house will do
was uppermost in every ones mind.
For the first time in several weeks the
president was able to devote Sunday al
most entirely to his family and 10 re-
sumo his church going. which had been
interrupted by the important Sunday
conferences with the members Of the
cabinet In company with Mrs. MoKln-
ley and some friends the president this
afternoon went for a long drive, thor
oughly enjoying the country scenery.
which. because OF the springllke wealth
er, has begun to put on its summer
dress.
Assistant Secretary Day was at the
White House for a short time in the
morning and saw the president. Vice
President Hobart and Postmaster Gem
eral Gary called while the president
was at church.
In the war and navy departments
there was also lacking that evidence OF
activity and rush which have charac-
terized them for 50 many past Sundays.
In the war department Adjutant GEN
eral Corbin was at his desk for a short
time in the morning He said there had
been no changes in the details for the
mobilization of troops announced soma
days ago, nor any important assign
ments of officers.
Assistant Secretary Roosevelt was at
the navy department for some time dur
Ing the morning transaetlng matters re-
quiring HIS attention. He had a visit
from Commander Willard II. Brownson.
who has just returned to the United
States from his visit abroad, where he
was sent to purchase men-of-war and
munitions for the use OF the United
States navy. The commander Is look
ing well bronzed and says he had an en-
joyabis trip. having spent practically
all his time In Italy. France and Eng
land. He made a number of recon-
mcndGtions and reports TO Secretary
Long during his Inspections abroad and
VIII submit the final one to the secre-
tary today. He asked to be excused
from discussing the results Of his trip
pending his report to the secretary.
Commander Brownson during his visit
was able 10 gauge the feeling which
the European nations have for this
country In It's issue with Spain. Con-
cerning the Englishmen he remarked
that their sympathy Is for us, and they
are with us to a man. A great many
Frenchmen sided with Spain, although
the commander said his observations
regarding them were based on reports
only. italy being one Of the Latin
countries there Is an element which
sympathizes with Spain, although many
Of the commercial classes, realizing that
much Of the trade OF the peninsula is
with the United States, look upon our
contention with favor
Commander Brownson says that ow-
ing TO the uncertain state OF affairs in
Europe growing out Of the eastern
question in which most Of the grea
nations are Interested very few really
satisfactory warships are 10 be found
on the market, while In six months
from now when possibly no one viii
want 10 purchase any. no doubt some
Will be available. Unfinished ships and
those Of inferior quality we're TO be OBJ
tained II desired. but the government
preferred not TO purchase vessels of
that kind. The commander VIII leave
the city tomorrow for New York. where
he Is to assume command Of the Yam
kee, 70 which he has been assigned.