The herald., 1898-03-22

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Sifuatisa -and. its future before congress-
thou6h neither he nor Mr.. Hit was com.
municative. Secretary Long also had a
conference with the president but SO far as
could be learned It developed nothing addi-
tional relating to the Spanish question.
SHIPS AND ARMAMENT
No further purchases of warships were
concluded today, and the negotiations are
not assuming promising aspect. except
IN showing that the United States can
command the market as against Spain.
The ordnance office of the war depart
ment presented very busy scene today
when bids were opened for furnishing the
department about 1000 cast iron projecties
for seacoast cannon with which to arm the
fortifcatons. The advertisement called
for 1877 10-inch solid shot and $40 Pinch
mortar shells weighing 1000 pounds each.
There was an unusually large number of
firms who bid for the contract, and the
prices at which they proposed to furnish
the projectiles showed wide range. The
contracts were not awarded today.
MOVEMENT OF CRUISERS,
The battleship Texas started northward
from Key West today, thus settling the
question as to the formation Of a second
squadron at or near Hampton Roads. II
is expected the Massachusetts will follow
In a few days, but the final orders for that
move have not been made.
The navy department received prelim-
mary report today from one of its agents
who is at Havana watching the progress
of the wrecking. 1t is understood that this
refers mainly to the technical work of sal
wage and not to the question Of cause The
Judge advocate general, where the report
was received, will not disclose the details
of the report.
The short session of the senate today was
quite unusual for the first working day of
the week. That no one was prepared to go
on with any pending measure was given
as the explanation, but privately the opin-
ion was stated by some of the senators that
while the Cuban question remains in such
suspense there was no desire to take up i'm
portant legislation.
THE CUBAN OUTLOOK
The outlook as to Cuba was discussed
among senators, almost to the exclusion
of other topics, and the belief was quite
decided that the administration is prepar-
ing to take a positive position within the
next week. Several senators made the pre-
diction that the United States would in
tervene. Being pressed for "a reason, they
stated that they had reached this conclu
sion after more or less conference with
executive officers, but at the same time
saying quite emphatically that they had
no positive Information on this point.
Other senators thought the recognition of
Cuban independence more probable than
To-
the view that some action will follow the
report of the Main court of inquiry, regard
less of it's purport.
NOT KNOCKED OUT
According to the orders to naval officers
Issued by the navy department today, the
battleship Maine is still in existence. At
least two of the orders would seem to
give that impression. They read as fol-
lows:
Lieut. A. w. Catlin. U. S. NJ c., de-
tached Maine, and home. Lieut. G. F. W.
Holman, detached Maine, home and wait
orders"
1t is presumed that the Inflated battle
ship will not be stricken from the naval
register until after it has been finally es-
tablished beyond the possibility of doubt
that the shattered hull cannot be raised
and reconstructed into at least a semblance
of her former self. Although there is
scarcely any ground for the hope that
the vessel can be raised and restored to
the navy, the department will not abandon
its efforts in this direction until the wreck
ers now at work upon it report that it is
impossible.
WANT THE GUNS
The navy has particular need of first
class guns at this time and would re-
gard the recovery of the main battery of
the Maine as a consummation devoutly to
be wished. Although there not much pros
pect for raising the Maine with it's re-
ported backbone there is good reason to
believe from the reports of the divers that
many, if not all, of the guns may be re-
covered eventually from the wreck and
put in places where they may be able to
render good service.
Capt. VIM. P. Duvall of the Fifth artil-
lery has reported at the war department
under orders for temporary duty In the Of
flee of the secretary of war and the major
general commanding the army. Mr.. Duvall
is instructor in practical military exer-
cises at the artillery school at Fort Mon
roe and is regarded as an expert in all
matters pertaining to the artillery branch
of the service. He has been promoted to
his present grade as result of the recent
increase of artillery regiments. Although
not officially admitted at the department, it
is generally understood that he was sum-
moned to Washington to confer with the
military authorities on questions involving
the employment of the artillery in active
work along the Atlantic and gulf coasts.
The enlistment branch of the navy issued
a large poster advertising for men for the
United States navy.
DEMAND FOR RECRUITS
The recent putting into commission of
the cruisers Columbia and MINNEAPOLIS
and the prospective demands that will be
necessary as a result of the acquisition of
the Brazilian ship Amazonas and the
American yacht May1ower require the en-
listment of addition men. Enistments
will be made at the following places: The
navy yards at Boston, Brooklyn, League
island, Philadelphia, Washington, Nor
folk, Mare island, No. 66 South street, New
York city; United States steamer Michigan
at Erie, Pa; custom house at New Orleans.
and the custom house at Glouscester,
Mass.
The following classes of men are wanted.
Seamen. Is to 35 years of age. at s24 per
month; ordinary seamen, is to 35 years of
age, sl9 per month; chief machinists. Is to
30 years OF age, at $40 per month; ma
chinists, frst-class, IS to 81 years of age
month