The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1898-04-05

that efforts are being made to have thu
resolutions of both committees agree will
the presidents wishes. The conference O.
Republican members of the house was ad
journed until II o'clock Wednesday by thu
committee, in order to await the message
Both houses discussed the Cuban situa
ton today, but it was simply preliminary
to the more important debate and actor
to be taken before the week ends. Inter
esting statements are made by senator:
and represe ntatives who called upon the
president today, and the impression gained
from them was that the message will de-
clare for the independence of Cuba.
WAR PREPARATIONS
With the exception of the purchase OF
ten steamships for auxiliary cruisers, to.
day was devoid of development in the mill
tary and naval branches of the govern
ment. No orders, it was stated, have beer
sent either to the fleet at Key West OF
the squadron at Hampton roads. and nc
confirmation could be obtained Of the re-
port that sea orders have been sent tc
the battleship Texas at New York. Sec
rotary Long held brief conference with
Secretary Alger during the afternoon, and
left the department shortly after o'clock
much earlier than has been his custom fol
the past few weeks. Up to the hour OF
his departure, it was stated, no advices
had been received regarding the move
ments of the Spanish torpedo fleet or other
Spanish vessels. Neither had the depart
ment been advised of any developments in
the efforts to purchase warships abroad.
After his conference with Judge Day, NJ.
Thebeaud, the secretary of the French en-
bassy, went over to the navy department
and had brief talk with Mr.. Roosevelt
regarding the ST. Thomas cable.
Secretary Alger has decided to recon-
mend to the president that an additional
allotment from the emergency fund be
made for the use Of the ordnance BUREAU
Of the army. The ordnance department
Is still lacking ammunition for the sea-
coast Notifications and an extra allotme nj
will be used for this purpose.
1t has been decided to delay for time
at the Chickamauga battlefield the Twen-
ty-ffth regiment of infantry, which IS
about to leave the various forts in Mon
tana for service at Key West and Dry
said to be the fact that the water supply
at either Of the above named places is not
satisfactory at present. Chtckamausa.
General Miles says, is an excellent place
for the concentration Of a large body OF
troops, and 1t is believed the location has
been seriously considered by Secretary
Alger as a point for the preliminary gath
ering of troops in case Of war.
NAVAL MOVEMENTS
The navy department was informed late
this afternoon of the arrival of the dyna-
mite cruiser Vesuvius at Norfolk today
from Washington.
Reports received at the navy departm ent
today indicate a general movement for
the concentration of warships at Key
West and other points on the coast where
their services may be required in the event
Of hostilities The monitor Terror, the
gun boat Newport and the tug Leyden have
arrievd at Key West The fleet cruiser
Minneapolis has arrived at Newport News
for duty with the flying squadron. The
gunboat Bancroft, recently detached from
the European station, arrived at Boston,
and will be at once put in condition for ac-
tive service. She is said to be in need of a
general overhauling. The yacht May
flower, recently transformed into a dis
patch boat, has arrived at Norfolk, and
this is taken as All indication that she Will
be assigned to duty with the flying squad
rom The revenue cutter Hudson also re-
ported her arrival at Norfolk, where she is
to undergo reconstruction into gunboat
The torpedo boat Somers, purchased in
Germany, arrived al Weymouth this morn
ing on her way to the United States. The
monitor Monadnock has arrived at Mare
Island. The steam collier Saturn has ar
rived at the Brooklyn navy yard. The
yacht Josephine, recently purchased OF
Mr.. Widener of Philadelphia arrived al
League Island navy yard this morning, and
will be converted at once into torpedo
boat destroyer. She will be renamed the
Vixen.
General A w. Greeley, chief signal of.
ficer Of the army, left here today %0r the
south, where he is to make arrangement
at the various seacoast cities for connect.
ing posts and forts by electricity.
SHIPS AT KEY WEST
KEY WEST, Fla, April i.-Acting I'M
der orders from Washington, Captain
Sampson, commander of the United States
fleet in these waters. sent the survey boat
Bache today from Tortugas to Havana
Her sailing orders were dispatched late
this afternoon over the new cable and an
hour later the Bache was on her way to
Cuba. 1t is assumed here that she goes tc
afford mode of safe egresa of American
citizens should a riot occur In Havana OF
war be declared. The survey boat Blake
now in this harbor, was also ordered to
proceed to Havana, but these instructions
were countermanded before she got away
The Fern is st!ll at Havana, but her ac-
conlmodations are very limited.
The Mangrove, which was lying at the
dock here, received unexpected orders to
proceed to Havana tonight and sailed i'm.
mediately The. usual exciting rumors re.
garding trouble in Havana ran riot after
her departure.
The Edith Howe, a new government,
lighter, while discharging coal into the
Indiana during heavy sea last night. was