The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-03-30

srain though there Is no doubt that Spain
suggested am arnlstlte.
What terms OF peace would be accePtl-
bic 10 the President cannot hc fiAted'
bur % Is asserted tiiat 80 proposition
would be considered that does MOI involve
the practtcal lr not Tie actual i1depen"-
ence Or the Cubaas.
There IS little doub. that the ffcncn
government; is ready 90 tender IT, eo'n
Offices az mediator between the United
states and spain 10 any animation IS COM
,eycd by tbs country that surh "i',ts
would hs acceptable. Without such inn-
mauoa it is doubtful whe!ncr Fr1nec
viii take The initiative.
ACTIVE PREPARATIONS.
The Army aud Navy Departments con-
tinuc to show many evidences Of acuN'F'
hut there was DO, that extreme cneI sy
Of preparations apparent last week.
CAPTAIN Siesbee had several talks with
Secretary Ions during the ddy ana al
tho close OF office hours the secretary "c-
companied Captain Sissbee ~ inc w H"e
House and presented HIM % the tIfs'-
dcnt Secretary Long SAYS no decision
has been reached as 10 Captain SlssDee
next appointment
A hoard Is considering what IS 10 5e
d me with the wreck of the Maine. NJ
FIRST ft was considered possible io save
the big guns and the turrct but tirs mas
been abandoned. and Cd, board w'u re-
port 20 Secretary Long In a day or TWO
as 10 what fral steps should hc taNch
Tt is probable the wreck VIII De aDan-
doncd.
The Navy Department. made no further
purchases OF foreicn ships TO-DAY ei-
though The naval attache7 abroad con
tnue 20 make inspection o. ships az inc
BASE or OPERATIONS
A sieu.6tant conference was held during
the day between representatives, of me
War and Navy Department. 20 deter
mine whether New orleans 1'e 'r
Tamra was best adapted as base of
orerafions. both military anf naval ~
the event Of war The rcDrst tni1tve 'i
the navy is Caofain r7rkcr naval 9iAe
to Secretary Long and for ih- army 'o'-
Cnel WAGNER Chief Of the bureau or IN
formation OF the armv. The examination
is. particularly directed toward The rail-
road facilities from all sections o' me
country leading 20 the points on inc CUR
named above. No determination mas YET
been reached ol the subject
AMBULANCE SHIP.
secretary-Generai Van Reiron. of the
navy. hos about completed th" rrr.tnl-
nary ARRANGEMENTS necessary 90 the tt-
TING out and manning Of "a noatng h's-
pual ship f1r use in case OF war ne
has several vessels I'm mind which he he
Hoyes weu adantcd for this purpose. bat
none has been purchased as yet
The formal report of the Medical Noard
Of Onccrs Of the North Atlantic S0ua'ron.
that sat in Admiral Sioard's case shows
that ne was suffering from what is te@a-
nically known as Chronic malaria It
was upon the report of this board that
the Admiral was relieved OF his command
and granted six months leave OF ABB
sence.
ARAUNG YACHTS.
Tho Ordnance Bureau IS actively at
work preparing for the armament OF tho
yachts and tugs which have just been
acquired by purchas, by the navy and
bv loan from the Treasury Department
on the tugs and Yachts the Ordnance Bu-
roau will install such six FOUNDERS rs
may ne available for the purpose while
ON the cutters will be put some OF the
four-inch and several six Founders, an or
the rapd-nre class.
Paymaster Ray. the financial officer Of
the Maine. reported his arrival 10 the
Navy Department to-day. lie is here To-
settle his accounts of the officers and
men OF the vessel.
Il was stated AT the Navy Department
| to-day that the steam yacht Gin Ida. just
purchased hy Spain cost that goNNrumcn'
probably SN0000. She is not regarded as
very formidable acquisition TO the Span
ism navy. as She IS inferior to the May
/ flower. the yacht bought by Secretary
/ Long about two weeks ago.
The Gralda was constructed on the
/ (TVfC