Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-03-16

of the court of inquiry is likely to effect a
complete revolution in the existing state of
affairs. The basis of practically all the
war talk. he said, has been the disaster TO
the Maine. The determination of how that
disaster came about is not far off.
There was no attempt to intimate that
anything is known as to what the verdict
will be, but a general statement that the
actual condition of affairs has not changed
in the least.
The President, it is reiterated today, has
from the first expressed the hope that the
differences between ths>country and Spain
could be settled peaceably. and said he
thought that could be done. He said all
this on the day of the big conference which
resulted in the s50,OOO,OOO appropriation.
He has consistently. almost daily, repeated
the same hope and belief.
Preparing for What May Come.
While saying these things, he has not
allowed any abatement of preparations for
war. One-half hour before he and Min
lister Polo exchanged greetings few days
ago. each hoping for peace, he had been
gcing over with cabinet officers every de-
tail of the preparation for war.
Fresh quotation of the Presidents de-
sire for peace does not denote that there is
any more prospect CT peace now. so far as
the position of the President is concerned,
than there was two weeks ago.
The submissive attitude of Spain is throw
ing oil on the troubled waters, but the
question arises how long this will continue.
1t is said that the administration is every
day watching for a charge of tactics in
Madrid 1t is expected in some quarters
that if the change does not come this
n ,Onth IT q almost certain after "a
ish elections in April. Until those elections
are over the situation will daily contain
elements of uncertainty.
Secretary Sherman, Secretary Alger, ,Sena-
tor Hama ard Representative Hit were
among the most prominent republicans to
confer with the President today. Senator
Hanna was with the President longer than
any of the other visitors.
Outside of these men there were fewer
visitors OF prominence than in many days.
Gen. Miles Goes to New York.
Maj. Gen. Miles, commanding the army,
went to New York on an early train this
morning to fulfill a promise TO attend the
military tournament at the Madison Square
Garden. He will undoubtedly improve the
opportunity to confer with Gen. Merritt,
commanding the department of the east,
in regard to the progress of the emergency
preparations for the manning of the new
coast defenses and the mobilization of
trCops now at interior posts at railroad
centers along the Atlantic and gulf coasts
for any service they may be called upon
to perform. Inasmuch as he has arranged
to return to this city early tomorrow morn
ing, it is not likely he will have time to
visit the military posts about New York
harbor.
New Commander of the Oregon.
Capt. Charles E. Clark, now in command
Of the coast defense ship Monterey at Mare
Island, Cal. has been ordered to take COM
mand of the big battle ship Oregon, which
is under orders to cruise down the Pacific
coast as far as CaIlao. Peru, with the pos
sible ultimate intention of continuing her
voyage around the Horn and up the east
err coast of South America to join the
fleet of warships gathered near Key West
for the maintenance of the honor and pres
tige of the United States. Capt. McCor-
mick, who has been in command of the
Oregon, has been reported unfit physically
for further active service by a medical
board of survey, and will probably be
placed on the retired list.
Wants to Invade Cuba.
ceived a military visitor who said he was
fresh from the battlefelds of Cuba and de-
sired to arrange with him for the imme-
diate investment of the port of Havana. He
was dressed in a military uniform of green
CLOTH and said he was ready to take the
field at once. He gave his name as Lieut.
Col. Jorge A. Rivera y Monez, 4th Army
Corps, Cuban army, and said he had come
from Gen. Mayria Rodriguez, second in
command. To use his own words, he was
just from the field and had blood on his
boots" and ne gave every indication of be-
ing earnest and eager for the fray. What
he desired was an army of 5000 men from
the United States with which to begin the
invasion of Cuba, and his plan was to fire
on Moro Castle and sack the city of Ha-
vana. Gen. Corbin treated him courteous
ly and said he would see him later about
the army of invasion.
Another Big Contract for Ammunition
The War Department is making ready
for another big contract looking to the
procurement of a lot of shot and shell. An
advertisement has just issued calling for
cast iron projectiles for sea coast cannon"
The bids are made returnable next Monday
at 3 o'clock at the ordnance Office War
Department. The shot and shell are Of the
heaviest description, and what is called for
is 1s7 1O-inch solid shot. $40 12-inch mortar
shells weighing 500 pounds each. and 800
12-inch mortar shells weighing 1000 pounds
each. These projectiles are entirely differ
ent from the 81, 600. 900 worth ordered yes
terday. Those were wrought steel shot
and shell mostly, being known as armor
piercers and intended for attack upon bat
tie ships, monitors and such armored ves-
sells. Those called for now are for use
either against lightly armored or unarmor-
ed ships or else for deck piercers,' being
fired from mortars with plunging fire
into the deck of vessels lying out at sea.
Being Of cast metal, these proJectiles will.
it is expected, be much cheaper than the
armor piercers already ordered.
Eeuipping the Auxiliary Navy.
The equipment bureau of the Navy De-
partment has prepared itself for the equip
| ment, at very short notice, of any vessels
Of the auxiliary navy that may be acquired,
with the most approved signaling devices
now employed. 1t appears the department
has discarded the well-known Ardois sys-
tenn and has adopted in it's place the
Boughton system of colored light signaling.
I MI L.