The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-04-03
sncRETARY LoNe,s CALLERS.
Admiral Walker and senator Fora
lker Mt fha Eavw ro.o-surx

ker Mt the Navy Department.
WASHINGTON, April 2-Secretary Long
pushed the naval preparations ahead to-day
as rapidly as possible. He saw the bureau
chlefs frequently. Admiral Walker arrived
III washington at 8 o'clock this morning,
and shortly afterwards reported in person
10 secretary Long. The admiral has been
at the head of the commission investigating
the route of the proposed Nicaraguan canal.
Ills return renewed the comment as to his
possible choice for taking supreme command
OF all the United States naval forces on the
Atlantic While he is on the retired list. he
Is none the less subject to duty in case OF
need, and there is reason to believe that
aside from duty the admiral would regard
1t a privilege to renew his active service.
me proposed assignment has not been given
any consideration by Secretary Long, and
II THIS matter should be taken up there are
naval officers on the active Historically
Admiral Bunce-who would enter into the
question. Admiral Walker looked bronzed
and rugged after his trip along the canal
route He would not discuss what the COM
mission had accomplished, nor refer to his
future plans in connection with the navy.
Ii is generally understood that the canal
commission agrees with former commissions
IN the conclusions that the Nicaraguan ca
nal is feasible project the only question
being as to the amount the undertaking
would cost
Senator Foraker, of the Senate committee
on foreign relations, was at the Navy De-
partment during the morning for the pur-
pose, 1T was understood, of furthering the
investigation that committee is making into
the cause of the disaster to the Maine 1t
is now understood that this Senate inquiry
is to be very sweeping in character and is
to go considerably beyond the inquiry Of
the naval court of inquiry which recently
reported. That court was restricted to some
extent by having to take the testimony only
OF those willing to appear before them, and
also was hampered by other restrictions
But, in reaching the matter of cause, the
Senate committee has considerably greater
latitude, and it is understood that it will
look to sources of information quite outside
those reached by the naval court Captain
Sigshee has already appeared before the
committee, and has given his testimony in
detail. To show the minuteness of the Sem
Ste inquiry, the fact may be cited that the
Senate committee to-day took steps to ascer-
tain whether the electric lights throughout
Havana were extinguiShed simultaneously
with the explosion The committee learned
that the extinguishment of the lights actu-
ally occurred. Exactly what bearing this
may be that the terrific shock caused at
mospheric disturbance, disarranging the
electric plant in Havana, or that some in
1erentlal deductions may be made to the
electric connections with a submarine mine
Inc naval orders to-day were the longest
the Navy Department has issued in many
months, there being about forty-fve distinct
assignments. OF these thirty were of naval
cadets at Annapolis, who were assigned to
various ships. The cadets are taken from
the first class at the academy, which gradu-
ates next Monday, although the term does
not end then. AS a rule, the time of gradu-
alton is three months later than this.
The secretary of the navy issued an order
to-day closing the Washington navy yard
to visitors. This order takes effect to-mor-
row morning, and will operate as long as
present conditions exist The action was
based on recommendation of the comman-
dant of the yard who said that the number
OF visitors has become large of late as to
interfere seriously with the proper prosecu-
ton OF the important work now in progress.
The comnaandant says that 1T was specially
desired that the yard should be closed to all |
visitors tomorrow, inasmuch as it was in
tended to complete the work on the Vesuv-
JUS so that she would be enabled to leave
on that day if necessary.
The Navy Department has been informed
of the departure of the gunboat Marietta
from Caliao, Peru. to Valparaiso, Chile.
although the officials will not say So. it is
generally understood that this vessel has
been detached from duty on the Pacific sta
ton and ordered to join Captain Simpsons
possible Similar orders it is understood
will be issued to the commander of the bat |
tie snip oregon, now on her way from San
Francisco to Callao, and about due at the
latter port.
The old-fashioned steamer Standish. at
tached to the Naval Academy having ac-
complished the business which brought her
to Washington left here last evening for
Annapolis. She brought cargo of old
academy and were somewhat out of re-
pair. They will be put into as good condi-
ton as possible at the Washington gun fac
tory and shipped to points where they can
DO the most good.
war Department, received a telegram to-
day from Mr.. j. r. Dewar, secretary of the
Omaha Lodge of Elks, No. 49, saying that
that organization had unanimously adopted
the following resolution:
Whereas, The kilograms tonight indi-
cate unavoidable war with Spain, and this
Der as the assistant secretary of war of our
country; therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That We offer our greetings
and assure him, Mr.. George d. Meikeijohn,
of our sympathy and support, and through
him nh the President of the United States that
all Elks will be found loyal to home and
and sacred honor"
The fact that neither branch of Congress
was in session to-day was responsible for
the presence of a great number of members
of both houses at the State. War and Navy
to attend to matters of private business
but in others at the request Of officials This |
was the case at the Navy Department
where committee consisting of Messrs
Hanna, Chandler and Platt of Connecticut
was in consultation for long time with AS
sistant Secretary Roosevelt. They re-
manned with the assistant secretary for
probably an hour, discussing questions per-
tanning to the vessels provided for in the
naval appropriation BILL The conference
between the assistant secretary and the
senators followed Immediately meeting of |
the strategic board. which consists of Mr.. |
Roosevelt, Captain Crowninshield and Capt |
Glover.
During the morning there was also a |
meeting of the joint board of the army and |
navy on the plan OF defense. This board |
consists of Captain Barker. of the navy, |
and Colonel Wagner. of the army. They are |
considering the question of the most de- |
sirable point in the South to be used as |
central base of operations in case OF hos |
Titles While they were in session they |
were furnished a statement showing the |
total strength OF the Spanish navy. includ-
ing description of each vessel. The ques-
ton the board is now considering was two |
years ago the subject of investigation by |
the War Department and the question of |
the practcability of Mobile. Tampa or New |
Orleans as base of supplies for army |
concentrated in the South was then re- |