The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-03-03
WHAE THE NAVAL
OFFICERS THINK.
CONTINUED from First Page)

Association for distribution where they
will do the most good. Although the
mossion assigned TO the warships Will
take them both within a short distance
OF Havana, estimated at from two 10
four hours. II Is stated that neither vessel
will visit the Cuban capital.
To remove the impression that had got
ten abroad 70 the effect that the relations
between the Navy Department and the
House Naval Committee were not harmo-
NOUS. Secretary Long this afternoon gave
out a short statement on the subject. Tie
said:
Congressman Boutele has been mis-
understood. The Congressman who is
one OF the most patriotic men IN the
world. is always ready 10 do everything
that can be done for the Navy. In his
annual report the Secretary recommend
ed that LOO men be added 10 the enlisted
force on account OF the increase In the
number OF ships. The Naval Committee.
Of which Mr.. Boutelle Is chairman. has
already decided TO grant this increase In
the regular naval appropriation bill.
Meantime II there be any immediate ne
cessity for more men. the same commit
tee and Mr.. Boutelle as it's chairman. are
ready TO make provision 20 that effect at
once"
A cablegram came from General Lee
during the day TO the State Department.
but Il made no reference 10 the Maine
affair. being devoted 10 the periodical
statement Of the tobacco exports from
cuba 20 the United States ports
The telegram was as follows:
Filler tobacco February 18th. p bales;
Tampa. p Key West; 5A Chicago 10
Milwaukee: 2S4 New York"
THE NAVY.
4 commander for the monitor Mianto-
nomah. which was ordered into commits
sion yesterday was selected in the per-
son Of Captain Mortimer Johnson. who
Is at present on waiting orders.
Secretary Long says the Miantonomah
with the Ram Katadin will remain in
the Delaware for the present at least.
With the commissioning OF these two
vessels there remain only the cruisers
Columbia and Minneapolis on the At
lantic coast availabl, for Immediate ser
vice in case the Department should de-
eide 20 commission more ships. The
Atlanta and New York could be made
ready in the course of three or four
months and tho Chicago In six months,
in case emergency orders for their repair
were issued.
There are number Of good ships on
the Pacific coast. however. whose re-
pair Is under way. such az the Charles
ton. the Philadelphia the yorktown and
others and the pay-rolls Of the construc-
ton bureau at the Mare Island navy
ward has now amounted TO the large to-
tai OF $4,000 per month for wages alone.
The Navigation Bureau IS still busy
with the preparation OF the death certi-
hcates for the families OF the victims OF
the Maine disaster. Captain Hawley
who has the matter Immediately In
charge says that owing 10 the necessary
formaHtles these certificates cannot be
issued before March 18th and this answer
is returned 10 numerous letters daily re-
ceived at the Department
LEFT ON Y ONE.
II is said in the Navigation Bureau
that there IS a pressing need Of able ma
chinists for the navy. caused by The
heretofore unnoted fact that every one
Of the machnists on the Maine lost hi'
lie In the explosion. Moreover, all th'
hremen but one were killed.
The bureau has invited enlistments from
men who have had naval service before In
the engine rooms. and II Is said that q
number Of these men are now enjoying
enllstments during which they may com'
again into naval service without loss Of
service record. II is hoped that some oi
them will come forward TO MI the place:
male vacant by the Maine disaster.
Sir Julian Pauncefote came 10 the stat
Department to-day bearing one OF IN
formal expressions OF deep coincidence
and sympathy with the governmen, o"'
the loss OF the Maine that have come
from every one o. the British colonies
This latest message was as follows:
|. "yVashington. 18th FeNr''arv.
"sir At the request ~ SIR Aifred Ma
ionev. Governor Of the Windward ISLANDS
7 have the honor 70 convey the heart'el'
svmpathv OF that colony with the govern
mont and peonie Of the United states II
the loss sustained through the explosion
on board the Maine.
IT have the honor" etc,
fsigneD JULIAN PAUNCEFOTE'
WHY so ACTIVE?
There is no unusual stir Or activity
about the Bureaus Of the Quartermaster-
General or the Commissary-Gener or
the army where more than anywhere else
the preparations for warlke demonstra-
ton would be apparent The officers or
these bureaus say no accumulation OF
governmental supplies is taking place ana
that no contracts for extra supplies are
In contemplation.
In the Ordnance Bureau the placing or
n large order for proiecti'es is the result
81 talks between Secretary Alger. SEN
a,or Hawley Of the Senate Committee on
Military Affairs. and Representatives OF
the House Military Committee.
II was made clear 10 the Secretary
that IL was a certainty appropriations
would be forthcoming and II was deemed
the part OF wisdom TO make the contract
now as the supplies would not be in hand
for some months.
Although the Navy Department had no
reports from Havana or Key West, dis
patch announcing the departure OF the
Cruiser Brooklyn from Santa Lucia for
Ia Guayra had some indirect signih-
canoe in further removing one OF the
'arger vessels OF the Navy from what
has thus far been the common centre OF
naval activity az Key West.
The Brooklyn will make short stop
AZ La Guayra. and will then proceed FUR