The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-03-09

lying OF the big battlesh,ps for the home
guard. This. however. has not been de-
cided upon
A proposition that received instant at
tention and - expected TO be approved IN
the end came TO the navy department to-
day. This was to turn over 20 the navy
department ten OF the best boats In the
lighthouse service. These boats are from
40 10 800 tona burden. good SEA boats.
manned ~ officers thoroughly familiar
with every indeutation OF the Atlantic
coast. and capable OF being easily trans
formed into gunboats. The Mangrove Is
q vessel Of this character. She is new
and speedy. Il is intended TO place a six
inch rifle on pivot mount on each vessel
forward, and TO place a light armor
around the borders and machinery 10 pro-
tect them from small arms TIRE a. least.
The attention of the department has
been called 20 the feasibility OF recruiting
the naval list frcnl tie revenue marine
cutters a number OF which are fully
equal being given ANS. TO the smaller
type OF gunL0ats now IN the service. IL
be. assigned to duty along the southern
coast. maintaining blockades and reflex
lag the larger aud more expensive eruis-
efs OF much gelIlsome duty.
Arrangements were perfected at the
navy department today for the relief Of
the dispatch boat Fern al Havana by the
cruiser Montgomery. The Montgomery
VIII relieve the Fern tomorrow morning.
so that the latter vessel may arrive at
Key West Wednesday evening. In ample
time 10 receive the feed supplies from
New York which are due there on that
day. There will be 10 delay in The de-
par;ure OF the Fern on her errand of
mercy.
Du Rose Says Peace VIII Continue.
Senior DIG Bose. the Spanish representa-
tive at Washington. when seen at the
Spanish legation today ard asked as to
this present status OF affairs. said:
Notwithstanding the apparent agIta-
ton. / am gratifed 10 note that so far
as actual occurrences are concerned, they
are adjusting themselves naturally and
In manner most satisfactory 10 both
governments. The Lee incident Is closed,
II, indeed. Il WAS ever opened. AT most,
It vas apprehension Of what actu-
ally occurred.
y am directly authorized by Senior Gul-
Ion. the minister OF foreign affairs TO de-
ny thar any demand or request has ever
been made for the recall Of Gen. Lee. and
II Is unfortunate and misleading fer the
reports to be printed that Spain has with
drawn "a request OK demand never IN fact
made The entire matter appears TO have
arisen out OF some suggestion as 10 he
prOpr.ety Of certain conduct. Just a. anti
official action relating 20 the two govern
ments may be discussed in a friendly spir-
II. ana wl,n 10 though. or eventualities
on the subject But Ia any event the in
Cdcnt IL closed, ana has no further bear
Ing oa the general condition Of affairs.
THIS matter OF sending relief supplies
30 cuba In warshps is also satisfactorily
adjusted and. SO far as Il ever amounted
To an incident. IL also IS closed.
These are fhe two passing occurrences
which have appeared - awaken agitation
and. being closed J cannot see any sub
staut!l reason Tor further agitation.
So far as tae defense bin in congress Il
concerned Diplomatic etiquette precludes
nay discussing g.
Back Of these passing Incidents "a the
vital Euhan problem. toward which Spain
has II soiutclv set her face 20 adjust hy
owing the CHheu people the most complete
con-rol ~ their internal affairs.
- feel cuddeut taat an honorable set
Element wiz result ana peace be restored"
looking Alter Army Needs.
The war department was not behind the
navy. Gen F'4sier. chief % ordnance. Is
very busy feaeh!ns out ia every direction
by means 81 tae telegraph and the nail to
learn just how far ;he resources Of tho big