Worcester morning daily spy., 1898-03-30

tinued today to show many evidences of
activity, but there was not that extreme
energy Of preparation apparent last
week. Capt. Sigsbee had several talks
with Secretary Long during the day,
and the secretary accompanied the cap
tain to the White House and presented
him to the president. Mr.. Long says
that no determination has been reached
thus far as to Capt. Slgsbee's next as
signment; but, as one of the high Off
cials of the navy department remarked,
the commander of the wrecked battle
ship can have about anything he wants.
A board Is considering what should be
done with the wreck Of tine Maine. At
first it seemed possible to save some part
Of the ship, and certainly the big guns
and turrets. But this idea has been
about given up. 1t is probable that
what remains of the wreck will be aban-
doned The navy department made no
further purchases Of foreign ships to-
day, although the naval attaches abroad
continue to inspect ships.
significant conference was held to-
day between representatives of the war
and navy departments. to determine
whether New Orleans, Mobile or Tampa
was best adapted as a base Of opera
tions, both military and naval, in the
event Of war. The representative of the
| Col. Wagner. No determination has vet
| been reached on the subject
Surgeon General Van Reypen of the
| navy has about completed the prelimi-
nary arrangements necessary to the
| fitting out and manning of a floating
hospital, for use in case OF war
| The formal report of the medical board
| officers Of the north Atlantic squadron
that sat In Admiral Sicard's case, holds
70 ha
nlcaily known as Chronic malaria -
1t was upon this boards report that the
admiral was relieved of his command
and granted six months leave of alb
sence.
The ordnance bureau is actively pre-
pairing for the armament Of the yachts
and tugs purchased by the navy. On
the tugs and yachts the ordnance bu-
reau will install such six Founders as
may be available, while the cutters will
be manned with some four-inch and
several six-pounders, all OF the rapid
fire class
Paymaster Ray, the financial officer
of the Maine, reported his arrival to the
navy department today He is here to
settle the accounts of the officers and
men of the vessel, 1t was stated at the
navy department today that the steam
yacht Giralda, purchased by Spain, cost
is not regarded as very formidable
acquisition to the Spanish navy.
At the department, the most import
ant development of the day was the
announcement that the 25th regiment of
infantry, now stationed in Montana.
would be transferred to Dry Tortugas.
This regiment is composed entirely of
colored troops. Their stay in the gulf
climate will prepare them for any SER
vice in Cuba, should this be necessary.
The ordnance officials of the army re-
port that the firms which have been
given contracts for supplying ammuni-
tion, guns projectiles and gun carriages
are keeping well to their promises in
the matter Of supplying these muni-
tlons of war on time. Cen Wilson, chief
of engineers of the army, has asked for
an additional allotment from the emer-
gency fund, for constructing works in
cidental to the placing of the big guns
on their foundations. Work in the en-
g1neers' division is reputed to be going
on rapidly at all points