Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-03-02

barraSSed in Its EFFORTS TO put the navy on
a proper footing by the failure of Congress
to act upon its Recommendation for an in
crease of 1850 in the enlisted strength OF
the navy. 1t is even put to the necessity
of reducing the complement in the crews of
scme of the ships, in order to keep all of
them in readiness for active service. 1t is
possible, too, that in order to fully man
the principal fighting engines Of the navy
it may become necessary to put out OF
commission some OF the smaller gunboats,
"a course which the naval authorities are
very loath to take, and which will only be
re sorted to in the case of absolute neces-
sity. By utilizing the entire reserve force
of men, it will be possible to put the moni-
tor Miantonomoh into commission and to
fill the complement of men on the monitor
Amphitrite. The latter vessel is now in
the vicinity of Port Royal in use as
practice vessel for the instruction of gun
captains and seamea gunrers.
In order TO strengthen the homs fleet on
the gulf and Atlantic coasts it is possible
that the department may be compelled to
draw upon some of the ships in foreign
waters.
plan is under consideration for retiring
soma OF the smaller ships in commission in
mere effective warships. The department
has been considering the,aavisa hility of or
deriag home with as little delay as possi-
BILE the cruiser Olympia, flagship of the
Asiatic station, and the cruiser San Fran
cisco, flagship of the European station.
These vessels are first-class craft OF their
class. ard would materially augment the
fighting strength Of ths fleet now re.dez-
iS
remote possibility of the issue of such
orders 1t is said at the department today
that they are not at all likely unless TIL.
Spanish situation should assume a much
more warlike aspect than prevails at this
time. In case Congress authorizes the en-
istment of 1,5O0 more men, the fast cru1s-
srs Columbia and Minneapolis will be put
in active service at once. They are now In
reserve at League Island.
Contracts for ProjectIIes Awarded.
General Flagler, chief of ordnance of the
army, has taken action which undoubtedly
indicates the serious view taken of the
Spanish situation by some officials of the
War Department. Although they express
the belief that there is no possibility of
hostilities between the United States and
any ether power they do not believe it wise
make the military arm OF the government
letter prepared for such am emergency.
They are proceeding OH the theory that d
complete readiness for war Is the best
means of preserving the peace, and that no
country is likely to commit an overt act
against another country known to be able
and ready to resent ii by force of arms.
The action taken by General Flagler was
2 xAlsl
of projectiies for the new nigh-power guns
OF the coast defenses, conditioned upon the
granting of the necessary authority by acs
of Congress. This action is considered an
emergency step taken simply MS a precau-
ton. 1t is understood that the War De-
partment has been assured of favorable
action by Congress Ia the passage of the
necessary appropriat t;ons should develop
ments in the near future justify IT.
The appropriation committees of both
Lou@es have practically agreed to Increase
the items in the pending Notifications bill
to cover the contracts entered into by the
War Department. The contracts are mada
with the Midvale Steel Works of Philadel-
phia, the First Sterling Company Of Pitts
burg and the Carpenter Steel Company Of
Reading, Pa.
to this city last night in response to tele-
graphic requests from the chief of ordnance
and were in conference with him for sew
eral hours, with the result as already indi-
Gated The agreements call for about 5000
shells of 8. 10 and l2-inch caliber. and are
to be delivered within six months. The
steel companies have agreed to begin work
on these projectiles without delay. The
ordnance department of the army has also
made similar contracts. it is understood,
for large supply of powder. in anticipa-
ton Of liberal appropriations by Congress.
The Case of the Dnuntless.
Beth the State Department and the De-
partment of Justice have received consid-
cradle detailed information relative to the
alleged hlibustering steamer Dauntless.
This is accompanied by the suggestion that
the vessel Is anenable to libel under the
navigation laws for concealing her name.
and under the neutrality laws for carrying
war material to TIE Cubans. The corre-
spondence began on January last, and
covers much data on the past record of the
Dauntless. 1t shows that ut the time the
Dauntless was plying between Florida and
Georgia ports for the evident purpose Of
eluding detection SO as to get away with
q AilouSeSiih6 party lOT SuDd ms iutA-
nation was conveyed to the Department Of
Justice that this purpose was SO clear that
it would be a wise precauton to place a
deputy United States marshal or deputy
collector Of customs on board the ship.
This material, already in the hands Of
the authorities here, wtu be supplemented
by additional information bearing on the
recent movements Of the Dauntless. al
though it is said that the showing already
made suftices for action against the Daunt-
less.
At the Spanish Legation.
At the Spanish legation the Maine in
quiry is not the subject Of official corre-
spondence. and beyond sharing in the gen.
eral interest that is felt IN the subjest the
legation officials have M occasion to con-
slider officially any OF Che phases Of the
affair. Mr.. Du Bose fsais satisfied. from
all the advices he has received. that the
inquiries proceeding At Havaaa are being
facilitated by both paroles. He says the
Spanish officials gave the fullest opportu-
mites to the American divers in making
their Investigations OF the wreck. and that
o. In o1,ao D,1~