The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-03-12
Important Provisions Added to Reg
ular Appropriation Bill by the
House Naval Committee.
THREE GREAT BATTLE SHIPS
AND AN INCREASE IN THE FORCE OFF
NAVAL MARINES AGREED ON.
Each Floating Fort VIII Cost About
$5,O0O,OOO-No Further Effort to
Purchase Japan's Cruisers.


Yesterdays developments may
thus be summarized:
The House naval committee has
provided for three new battle
ships.
The creation of the Department
of the South" with headquarters
at Atlanta, Ga, and the abandon
ment OF the department of Texas"
General FlagIer, chief of ord
nance, has given instructions to
every manufactures of rapid-fire
guns, shot, she'll and ammunition
to work at his fullest capacity.
Instructions have been issued to
man all seacOast batteries from
Boston to Galveston, Tex.
The Navy Department believes 1T
has secured the two fine war ships
built in England for Brazil. NegO-
tiatiOns for the war ships con-
structed in this country for Japan
are off; Japan needs the vessels
worse than the United States.
Spanish divers say that on ac-
count of the mud they have not
yet been able to thoroughly ex-
Maine.
Another batch of rumOrs denied
on behalf of the administration.
WASHINGTON, March 11-Most of the
time of to-day's Cabinet meeting was taken
UP in the discussion of measures which have
been put Into operation for the acquisition
Of naval vessels by the government. One Of
the members said, after the meeting: 1T
is now altogether probable that we will Sc
cure two vessels that are under construc-
ton for the Brazilian government 1t is not
possible at this time to say just how many
ships in all the government will be able to
secure It has options on a number that
have been offered, but nothing is likely to
be definitely accomplished in the way of
acquiring them until an examination is
made into their condition, for which pur-
pose a naval officer has been dispatched
abroad. We do not want a lot of vessels
that other nations contracted to be built
and now find are not up to expectations.
should not be surprised but what the Presi-
dent would be able to get about five or six
vessels in ALL The fact is notorious that
there are not great many really good YES
sells to be had, but should not be surprised
if We are able to get half dozen formid-
able cnes at least. The 600 appropr1a-
ton for war preparations will be expended
in this country, except such as may be used
in the purchase of ships and in the acqui-
sition of munitions of war that are not OBJ
tainable here.
''Yes, think the sympathy of the Brit
ish government in this controversy is with
the United States. At any rate she does not
side with Spain I do not mean by this state
ment to have you infer that the English
will openly advocate our cause and extend
us substantial help, but will give us their
moral support"
Probably the most important and signiti-
cant development of the day here was the
decision of the House naval committee to
place in the naval appropriation bill a pro-
vision for three new battle ships. The same
committee also placed in the naval bill pro-
vision for an increase in the number of
naval marines of 473. This increase has been
especially asked for by the secretary of the
navy and was not included in the regular
recommendations. This brings the total
number of marines up to 3,O73.
The Navy Department has now reason
to believe that it has secured the two war
ships, the Amazcnas and her sister snip
now building in England for Brazil. 1t was
stated at the Cabinet meeting to-day by
Secretary Long that the naval attache at
London, Lieutenant Colwell, had almost
completed the negotiations for the sale. So
far, however, the final notification from
him that his offer has been accepted has
not yet reached the Navy Department.
The negotiations for the purchase of the
two Japanese cruisers now building in this
country at Philadelphia and San Francisco
49, ind haf
no further steps will be taken towards ac-
curing these ships. The Japanese govern
ment appears to be even more desirious
of securing these ships than the United
States, and owing to the delicate character
of the aspect of affairs between Russia
and Japan it is felt that the needs OF
Japan are quite as urgent as those of this
country.
The day passed again without word from
the court Of inquiry, according to the state
ment of Secretary Long, who says he has
received nothing whatever from the court
itself or from Judge Advocate Mark.
The secretary of the navy has determined
that there shall be no wasteful extrava-
gance in his department in the expendi-
ture Of the funds so generously provided
by Congress and to this end he has ad-
dressed the following letter to the assist
ant secretary of the navy, the colonel COM
mandant of the marine corps, and to each
of the bureau chiefs of the Navy Depart
ment:
"Slr-Under the emergency appropriation
of $50,O0o.000 made Wednesday you will in
cur no expense or liability except after
written statements and estimate made by
you and approved by the President and see
retary, all in writing. special record
must be kept of every such requistion. If
any such liability or expense has been In
CURED by you by oral direction. make such