The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-03-03

VIM make a short stop at Laguayra and

will make short stop at Laguayra and
will then proceed further southwark
commander for the monitor Mianton-
omoh, which was ordered into commits
sion yesterday, was selected to-day in the
person of Capt. Mortimer Johnson, who is
at present on waiting orders. Secretary
Long says that the Miantonomoh, with the
ram Katahdin, will remain in the Della
ware for the present at least. With the
commissioning of these two vessels there
remain only the cruisers Columbia and
Minneapolis on the Atlantic coast avail
able for immediate service in case the de-
partment should decide to commission more
ships. The Atlanta, at New York, could be
made ready in the course of three or four
months, and the Chicago in six months in
case emergency orders for their repair
were issued. There are a number of good
ships on the Pacific coast, however, whose
repair is under way, such as the Charles
ton, the Philadelphia, the Yorktown and
others, and the pay rolls of the construc-
ton bureau at the Mare Island navy yard
has now mounted to the large total of
100000 per month for wages alone.
cablegram came from General Lee
during the day to the State Department,
but it made no reference to the Maine af-
fair, being devoted to the periodical state
ment of the amount of tobacco that Is be-
ing shipped from Cuba to United States
ports, thus giving evidence of the actual
removal of the export prohibition decree.
The telegram was as follows: Filler to-
bacco, Feb. 26, p bales, Tampa; %, Key
West; 5S4, Chicago; 10, Milwaukee,; 2Sth,
2s4, New York"
The Navigation Bureau is still busy with
the preparation of the death certificates
for the families of the victims of the Maine
disaster. Captain Hawley, who has the
matter Immediately in charge says that
owing to the necessary fornalities these
certificates cannot be issued before March
Is and this answer is returned to numer-
Gus letters daily received at the depart
ment.
MACHINISTS WANTED.
1t is said in the Navigation Bureau that
thore is a pressing need of able machinists
for the navy, caused by the heretofore un-
noted fact that every one of the machin-
lists on the Maine lost his life in the explo-
sion. Moreover, all the firemen but one were
killed. The. bureau has invited enlistments
from men who have had naval service be-
fore in the engineer rooms and as it is said
that number of these men are now enjoy
ing the three months period of time be-
tween enlistments, during which they may
come again into the naval service without
loss of service record, it is hoped that some
of them will come forward to fill the places
vacated by the Maine disaster
Sir Julian Pauncefote came to the State
Department to-day, bearing one of the for
NAL expressions of deep coincidence and
sympathy with the government over the
loss of the Maine that have come now from
every one of the British colonies. This lat
est message is as follows:
"Sir-At the request of Sir Alfred Ma
loney Governor of the Windward Islands,
/ have the honor to convey the heartfelt
sympathy of that colony with the govern
ment and people of the United States in
the loss sustained through the explosion on
board the Maine"
There is no unusual stir of activity about
the bureaus of the quartermaster general
or the commissary general of the army,
where more than anywhere else the prepa-
rations for warlike emergency would be
apparent. The officers of these bureaus say
no accumulation of additional supplies is
taking place and that no contracts for extra
supplies are in contemplation. In the Ord
nance Bureau the placing of a large order
for projectiles is the result of talks between
Secretary Alger, Senator Hawley, of the
Senate committee on military affairs, and
representatives of the House military COM
mittee. 1t was made clear to the secretary
that it was a certainty appropriations
would be forthcoming, and it was deemed
the part of wisdom to make the contract
now as the supplies would not be in hand
for some months There has been consider
able correspondence between Secretary AL
ger and the projectile manufacturers, the
secretary expressing the opinion in these
letters that he was not getting the terms
that the government was entitled to at this
time. Senator Hawley suggested that they
be asked to come to Washington, and as a
result of their visit satisfactory terms were
made and the contract closed
At the Spanish legation the Maine inquiry
is not the subject of official attention, and
beyond sharing in the general interest that
is felt in the subject, the legation officials
have no occasion to consider officially any
of the phases of the affair. Mr.. Du Bose
feels satisfied from all the advices he has
received that the inquiries proceeding at
Havana are being facilitated by both par
fullest opportunity to the American divers
in making their Investigations of the wreck
and that Captain Sigsbee has shown the
same consideration to the Spanish officials
and their divers. AS to the press report
coming from Madrid that a mixed commits
sion may ultimately be required, Mr.. Du
Bose feels that this is quite too far off and
that the first findings will be sufficiently
conclusive in establishing the accidental
cause of the disaster.
Tonight the Navy Department received
telegram from Captain Sigsbee which evil
dently was delayed in transmission. 1t an
nounced the arrival at Havana this morn
ing of the wrecking tug Merritt with the
wrecking lighter f. r. Sharp, under charge
of Capt. Fred r.. Sharp, of the Merritt
Company. Captain Sigsbee stated that Cap
tain Sharp probably would begin work to-
day He also announced the arrival OF the
Spanish cruiser Vizcaya at Havana last
night