Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1898-03-05


arise, but are performing the duty al
lotted TO them of being ready for any |
duty that may come, no matter how |
1t may be. These high of
ficials do not wish to minimize their
or to assert that they are
merely routine; neither do they wish
these preparations to be construed far
beyond their legitimate extent and
made the basis for alarming reports OF
war measures.
In reference to this subject n member
of the cabinet said he felt that patriotic
instinct should inspire a just measuring
of the activity now evident at no more
and no less that 1t really meant.
The navy department Is somewhat
embarrassed by the lack of seamen
necessary to fill the complement of
ships already In service or about to so
into commission, and in view of the
shortage the officials in charge of the
recruiting stations at League Island,
Norfolk and New York have been in
structed to enlist such seamen as may
be available and not coniine themselves
to persons who have heretofore been in
the navy.
According to an official of the con-
struction bureau of the navy 1t will be
some time before the Charleston, York
town and Philadelphia.n now at the Mare
Island yard. are again ready for sea
service unless extraordinary measures
are taken to hurry the work on them.
The Yorktown and Philadelphia, 1t is
suggested might be prepared again for
sea service in n very short time If they
are not put in commission, but II the
latter step Is rcsorted to they will re-
uure from six to nine months to put
them In shape.
The war department is having some
difficulty in obtaining the title to suf-
ficient ground at Point Wilson. Wash
t,t, a..
Notifications. because the owners of
much OF the land are scattered over the
country and trouble has been expert
enced in securing their addresses. The
matter is now In the hands of the de-
partment of justice. which is doing
everything possible to settle the ques-
tion. The nature and extent of the
works to be erected will depend on the
money available.
PRESSING THE FoRTIFICATIoNS.
1--WE are pressing work on fortiflca-
TONS" said an official of the war de-
partment, Just as we have been since
the permanent system of coast defense
was inaugurated by Congress about
two years ago. We aim to spend all
the money Congress appropriates year
ly so that legislative body will be in
duced to continue to authorize expendi-
lures for this necessary adjunct or
national defense.
Naturally the public is now taking
great interest in all that Is going on
and probably observes with closer
scrutiny everything being done. This,
coupled with the fact that no one ex-
cept members of Congress are allowed
to enter the Qualifications and these
only with the consent of the secretary
of war apparently makes the matter
all the more mysterious. No, ! would
not be at liberty to tell of any steps
a. I.a4. tsaI# h. %
pending excitement even If 1 knew OF
such"
A visit to the navy department, one
| of those made at not infrcqucnt inter
walls by Lieut.. Kelly, u. s. N, caused
the immediate circulation of report
that the government is embarking on
| a large undertaking of inspection of al
vessels of our merchant marine tina,
might be available for naval service
| in case of need. The terms of the sub.
sidy act which was passed several
| years ago, appear to be designed &c
secure the creation of n class OF vessels
| under the American nag built In Amer.
lean ship yards that shall he, first
suitable for the rapid and safe carriage
of the United States mails. and second
suitable for transformation In case OF
need into auxiliary cruisers for the
navy. Ever since the passage of that
act the navy department has had Off.
sells either in their primary states OF
construction or after completion
when their owners sought to take ad.
vantage OF the act and claim subsidy
| for their ships.
Many vessels have been so inspected
| and the naval officers have reported
as to their fitness or unfitness fol
naval service. Lieut.. Kelly Is now II
charge of that particular branch Of tn,
! navy and has been prosecuting II witt
| diligence. Without doubt the public
excitement Of the last few weeks in
have never before sought to take ad
vantage Of the subsidy act to submit
their ships to the navy department fo
examination now. and this has resulted
in unusual activity on the part of in
specting officers.
MOVEMENTS OF SHIPS.
The armored cruiser Brooklyn arrived
at Laguayra, Venezuela, yesterday, anc
reported by cable last night to th'
naval department. II is the intention
of the authorities to keep the ship fol
a few days, or at least until II |,
demonstrated that the insignifican
revolutionary movement In the eastern
portion of the country is shown not u
endanger any American interests. Thei
the plan is for the Brooklyn to procce,
to Colon and await orders from the de
The Newport, with the Nicaragua
canal commission aboard, arrived a
Colon yesterday, with the expectation
of remaining until the 10th, The train
ing ship Essex has sailed from For
Monroe to Tompltinsvillc
Senior Du Bose. the Spanish charge
called at the state department toda!
and had short talk with Judge Dn.
concerning fiibustering movements
The department decided to get fulle
information than had thus far been fur
nished. II is understood that Spain
purchase of warships and other subject
which have attracted much interes
within the last few days were in n
way referred to. as Mr.. Du Bose has re
ceived no information on these subjects
and they are not open to diplomatic ne
gotiations.
The departure OF Cen. Wilson. chic
of the engineering department, for tn
South. It Is now admitted is for tn
purpose of inspecting Notifications an
river and harbor improvements. HI
trip may extend to Dry Tortugas in tn
Gulf OF Mexico.
EIGHT NEW wARsHIPS READY.
These and More Could he Purchased 10
| l,xSt Iul fah sfaf