The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-03-30

by the United States anu other nations
and fair to both contending parties.
The question of an armistice has not
been agreed to by either this country OF
Spain, though there is no doubt that
Spain suggested an arlniStice. What
terms of peace will be acceptable to
the President cannot be stated, but it is
asserted that no proposition will he
considered that does not involve the
practical, II not the actual Independence of
the Cuhans. Under these circumstances
the members of the administration
think it only fair to the President that
the people should wait with patience the
result of the pending negotiations since
there is no more loyal American than the
President or one who will hesitate less
than he when the hour for action has
arrived. There is 1itSle doubt that the
trench government is ready to tender
its good offices as mediator between the
United States and Spain, if any intima-
ion is conveyed by this country that
such offices would be acceptable. With
out such intimation it is doubtful wheth-
er France will take the initiative. In
the interests of France, both material
and sentimental, favor an avoidance Of
war.
One material reason is that France is
preparingaafor the international exposition
when the worlds travel will be turned
toward the French capital. It is said
that war at such time would be seri.
ously prejudiclal to this project. Moreover
French citizens ownlmany Spanish seeuri5
ties, SO that any decline resulting from
war would tall on French capitalists.
While those are important considerations
for France, yet the tender of good offices
would be based solely on sentimental
f,,,n lnl. Eel
for both parties in this controversy. The
army and navy departments continued
today tosshow many evidence OF activity,
but. there was not that extreme energy
of prepara zion apparent last week. Capt.
Sigsbee had several talks with Secretary
Long during the. day and the secretary
accom- panied the captain to the White
House and presented him to the Presi-
dent. Mr.. Long says that no determina-
rion has been reached thus far as to Capt.
Sigsbee'S next assignment. But as one
of the high officials OF the navy depart
ment remarked, the commander OF the
wrecked Maine can have anything he
wants.
A board is considering what shall be
done with the wreck OF the Maine. At
first it seemed possible to save some
part Of the ship ana certainly the big
guns and turrets. But this idea has been
abandoned.
1t is probable that what remains of the
wreck will be abandoned. The navy de-
partment made no further purchases OF
foreign ships today, although the naval
attaches abroad continue to inspect ships.
A significant conference was held today
between Representatives of the war and
navy departments to determine whether
New Orleans, Mobile or Tampa was best
adapted as base of operations, both mill
tary and naval in the event OF war. The
,{s,+; oF thn no WV rUa a, ant
Barker. and the army, Col. Wagner. No
determination has yet been reached on
the subject.
Surgeon General Van Reyden of the
navy has about completed the prelimi
nary arrangements as to fitting out and
manning OF 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 Sioard's case, holds
that he was suffering from what is tech
nically known as chronic malaria. 1t
was upon this boards report that the
admiral was relieved of his command
and granted six months leave of absence.
The ordance bureau is actively prepar.
ing for the armament of the yachts and
tugs purchased by the navy and bor-
rowed from the treasury department.
On the tugs and yachts the ordnance bu-
reau will install such, six-pounders as
may be available, while the cutters Will
be manned with some four-iuch and sew
eral six.pounders Of the rapid fire, fire
class.
Paymaster Ray, the financial officer of
the Maine, reported his arrival to the
navy department today. lie 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 that
government probably $3.50, 900. She Is
not regarded as very formidable
acquisition to the Spanish navy. AT the
ment of the day was the announcement
of the 25th Regiment of infantry, now
stationed in Montana, would be trans
ferred to Dry Tortugas.
This regiment is composed entirely of
colored troops. Their stay in the Gulf
climate will prepare them for any service
in Cuba, should this be necessary. The
ordnance officials of the army report that
firms which have been given contracts
for supplying ammunition, guns, pro-
jectiles and gun carriages, are keeping
we'll to their promises in the matter of
supplying those munitions of war on
time.
Gen. Wilson, chief of the engineers of
the army, has asked for an additional
allotment from the emergency fund for
constructing works incidental to the
placing of the big guns on their found
ations Work in the engineers Division
is reported to be going on rapidly at all
points.
THE REBELLIous CONGREssMgN-