The record-union., 1898-04-12
AT THE DEPARTMENTS.
But Little Interesting War News is
Given Out.

WASHINGTON, April 1.-THE Most
interesting item of information that
came to the Navy Department to-day
was the reported arrival of the cruisers
San Francisco and New Orleans at Hal
flax to-day. The arrival of the New
Orleans in this country is the source of
supreme satisfaction to navy officials
as she has aboard a number of Maxim
NCrdenfeldt rapid fire guns just
purchased in Europe and n
quantity of ordinance stores.
The guns were intended for the sea-
coast Notifications, and are badly need
ed just at this time. So anxious were
the officials that these stores should be
brought to this country early that it
may be truly said that they were more
interested in the arrival of stores than
OF the ship herself.
Word reached the department to-day
OF the arrival Of the first-class cruiser
Baltimore at Yokohama on her way to
Hongkong to join the Chinese squadron.
The Baltimore has aboard a large
amount of ammunition and stores for
the Asiatic squadron which she trans
shipped at Honolulu.
1t was stated to-day that there is no
foundation for the report that Secretary
Alger would ask the President to desig-
nate Lieutenant-General Schofield, re-
tired, as a military adviser to the Presi
dent and Secretary of War in case of
hostilities General Schofield's recent
visits to the President and the Secre-
tary, it is added. were simply for the
purpose of consulting with them regard
ing the volunteer reserve movement.
Secretary Alger and Assistant Sec
retary Roosevelt of the navy were in
conference some time to-day While
they were together General Miles, COM
rnanuer of trfe army. dropped in, and
later, after the officials had parted, Lieu
tenant General Schofeld saw the Pres
ident for moment. The presence OF
these persons in the Secretary's office
led to the report that a general confer
ence. having in view the formation of n
plan for a joint naval and military
demonstration, was under discussion,
but the statement is made authorita-
lively that so far as a pre-arranged
conference was concerned it was con-
fined entirely to the Secretary of War
and the Assistant Secretary of the
Navy.
During the morning there was a meet
ing in Assistant Secretary Roosevelt S
office of the naval strategic board, those
present including Mr.. Roosevelt, Cap
tain Crowninshield and Captain Glover,
members, and Rear Admiral Walker and
Lieutenant-C Commander Wainwright,
who had been called in to assist the
board in it's deliberations
The State Department to-day receiv-
ed General Blancos proclamation or
dering q cessation of hostilities in
Cuba It was cabled to the Spanish
Minister here and by him delivered to
the department. The proclamation is
as follows:
His majesty'S Government in yield
ing to the reiterated wishes expressed by
his holiness, the Pope, has been pleas
ed to decree a suspension of hostilities
with the object of preparing and facil-
itating the restoration of peace on this
island, in virtue whereof l believe it
convenient to order:
Article /. From the day following
the receipt in each locality of the pres
ent proclamation. hOstilitics are order
ed to be suspended in all territory of
the island of Cuba.
''The details for the execution of the
above decree will be the object of spe-
cial instruction that will be communi-
Gated to the several Commanders-in-
and prompt execution, according to the
situation and circumstances of the
case. BLANCO."