The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-03-14
NOTHING FROM THE COURT.
Washington Still in the Dark ~ to
the Finding

Washington Still in the Dark a. to
the Finding.
Washington. March 14.-Yesterday.
unlike last Sunday, when the published
statements of the desire for the recall
OF General Lee and the protest OF the
Spanish government against sending
war vessels with relief supplies to- Cuba
caused mnch excitement among official
circles. was comparatively quiet No
information bearing on the doings of the
court OF inquiry on the Maine explosion
had been resolved during the day. or
any dispatches calculated to cause con-
ference between the heads OF the var
tous departments. Secretary Long
stated that there was no news of any
nature for the press, and added in re-
eponse to a specific inquiry that moth
ing had been received from the court of
inquiry
The board on auxiliary cruisers met
during the morning. 1t was determined
that a special board. OF which Captain
Rodgers will be president. should be
designated to proceed to New York to
undertake the work in hand. Owners
and agents for ships will be invited to
to the navy such vessels as are of value
for conversion into ships for war pur-
poses. The naval officials say there
will be no difficulty experienced in OBJ
taining all vessels that are desired, as
there are hundreds available. Thanks
TO the naval intelligence Office, the de-
partment keeps I'm close touch with the
construction of all craft that could be
utilized in the event OF hostilities. Just
now 1t has a record of 40 such ships OF
all sizes and classes which will be in
spected and examined, and IL their own
ers desire TO part with them, number
OF these vessels will be taken by the
navy department The vessels to be
examined Will include all classes from
liners TO ocean-going tugs. which can
be Of material service for a number of
purposes. Tonnage. draught, speed.
condition OF boilers and machinery and
other - attributes will figure in the
thorough inspection which will be un-
dertaken by the board before any char
tering or purchasing is recommended
Both the ordnance bureau and that
engaged in the work OF construction and
repair are ready TO take their part in fit
ting out and equipping such vessels as
may be acquired. At the Washington
gun factory there are now in various
stages of construction no less than $50
guns of formidable character on which
work is being done night and day with
q view TO their early completion. No
new guns are being started. but the en-
tire efforts of the factory are devoted to
finishing those under way. naval
officer said there would be enough OF
them when finished to constitute n fair
armament for probably 30 or more aux
Hilary cruisers should such a large fleet
be found necessary TO supplement the
regular warships
The Machias which has Just arrived
OF Norfolk from the Asiatic station, has
been found in fair shape. A thorough
overhaulng will be necessary I'm the
present instance. and she will be sent
% Boston. where all necessary repairs
can be made TO her in about ~ days.
The ordering OF tho Helena and the
Bancroft now on the European station.
Co the United States will leave Admiral
Howell OF that 'station with only the
San Francisco. No explanation for the
action is vourhsafed by the officials. and
Secretary Long declined to say anything
about this step further than that the
two ships had been ordered home.