Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1898-02-23
PREPARING FOR EMERGENCY.


Maine.
washington. Feb. 22.-All the gov
.rnmen, departments were closed In
Washington today save the navy de-
nartment where few officials assem-
bled to receive any dispatches that
might arrive and to close the contract
with the wreckers for the recovery OF
the effects on the Maine and the yes
sci herself II that be practicable. The
signing Of the wrecking contract was
the most important event of the day.
and this concluded the officials closed
up shop and went home to enjoy res
pe from the rush of the past week.
Captain Slgbee was heard from In
dispatch which indicates that close at
tertion will be given to the coal bunk
ers BY the navy court of inquiry.
Washington officials unquestionably
have been for some time preparing for
any emergency that may arise. but APP
peai1nces at the department today
would Indicate that any necessary or
ders already have been given, and that
the situation Ia not one calling for i'm
mediate activity at Washington. The
Castine and Cincinnati, in accordance
with orders made known some time
ago by the Associated Press. are to
move much further north to West In
itor Terror has been ordered to be in
readiness and may be sent to New York
later
The Senate passed the bill to add two
artillery regiments to the strength of
the army, This measure has been
urged for many months by officials
Of the war department. who foresnw
mat while Congress of late years had
TAKEN measures for the protection
o. our coasts by additional approprIa-
IONS Tor extensive work and great
guns, 1t had not provided the men
necessary TO operate these engines of
war. Should the House pass the hill
VIII enable the department to carry
out plans II has long had In view.
Criticisms lately passed upon the
s,ale OF The army and our Notifications
mas caused Increased activity in mill
,aty matters and to some extent this
responsible for reports arriving from
posts. '' ~ army
"A report was circulated that Gen.
ahes, as commander of the army. had
h;led additional orders for troops nj
o. q. iofts To- be on the alert and ready
tof immediate action, but this was
officer. s"e'"i chieI
.Noihlng whatever OF n sensational
o oa occurred in Washington. and
M Me whole the day was free of m
Sie ny comparison with its imme-
0r more. '"S p"st week
wt,opa9ly Lieutenant Commander
WwsaIiarsht, the executive officer Of tha
sisa now In Havana, will he as
Vs,T 70 the duty of inspecting Tho
'g NJ as II proceeds.
The
narlss .ns OF the two wrecking COM
i ion 10, ouay said that after the exnedi-
en maS assembled in Havana harbor
vonlS ffe'e inspection of the wrecl;
vork detar n,nae and the exact line of
viii bs ya t,llhyu upon. The facilities
d,W.p e able to work al ono tin,s rs
ths ,,s,, parts of the wreck M, -,
dsr, lung WIN be done by the sn,nuon
pae,y which are OF sufficient ca
the v lot NE lighter upper wnrls -,
ster am. cut 1t win take tho NOV
The S'ileS o. The Monarch Ia iir,
the n.se ulrreta OF the Maine ~
Humrhts moun.=e within them Cat
was pn, stated that the nurndsc
The tprr0, separate Tho big guns from
whole M hut TO EFT them az
dertatina MS VIII be tremendous mn
each turrs, % we combined weight or
Monarch eon ~ gun Is l66 tons. The
is an ample NIL, ilt 2GO tons, so there
The wr r'S marsh OF lifting power.
an opinion as y, We're 10th to express
and ca. Inc Maine. M c,, luise
ing bnii humphreys stated ~. p'nnh
Would nor, glose personal ins,aa.t
They A. ps'ialt a decision on ,h mspeetion
ship csn tnopefrl. howeyar - poiut'
The Iron Ne Wrought TO the , si,r,a tne
used to rs Sge Lone Star S' JiaI &C.
wreckage, any the turrets, guns on o
made rp sb Sne ar as fast as loads ads ana ana
iolA navy v.y WI be towed to the NJ