Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-03-23

Hdii, BLOW ana Cafsin, BoatSwafn- Larkin
and Naval Caset Csenshaw, to leave Key
West for home. The others came on di-
rect, while stopped of for a day at Sa-
lem, Ala, where was born and where I
have many friends and relatives From
Salem l went to Birmingham, Ala. for a
day, to Atlanta and then straight on to
Washington. l. 3
In speaking of the Names men he said:
There were only about twenty-five
wounded men left in Key West when we
started for home. and most of them were
on the road to recovery. Some of the
oHcers visited the hospitals every day
while We were there, ard there were lots
or other visitors. Outside of the hotels
ana the travellers, there are a mere hand
ful OF Americans in Havana, but saw no
feeilng against them. Gen. Fitzhugh Lee
Is certainly the right man in the right
place, and is doing great work in Havana.
saw MIN the night of the explosion,
when he came on board the City of Wash
lnston to see Capt. Sigsbee."
No Excitement mt Havana.
Lieut.. Blandin was asked whether there
was much feeling or excitement in Havana
or Key West. He replied that If there
was any he did Eot see it. Senator Thurs
ton ana party were in the hotel at Key
west at the same time Lieut.. Blaniin
was there, and he had an opportunity of
seeing them all. Mrs. Thurston's death Re
characterized as a very sad affair.
In answer to question, Lieut.. Blaniin
replied that he could say nothing whatever
about the probabilities of war; but if there
was TO be any fighting he thought that the
greater part of it would be done by The
navy. The army would practically be of
little use, and at this time of the year
would run great char ces of fever in Cuba.
He continued:
nave received orders to report Thurs
day in Washington in order to stand an
examination for promotion to the RINK
OF lieutenant commander. 1t was at FIRST
thought of keeping me in Key West to
take the examination, but afterw1rd de-
c1ded that it would be better to take it
In Washington. 1 have received 10 ether
orders Of any kind, and can have 10 idea
where will go and how long l shall re-
main in Baltimore. The examination will
require about week"
The President Has Not Protested.
The Navy Department continues to keep
informed as 10 The Spanish torpedo fotilia
now at the Canaries. Word of its depar-
ture mas not yet reached the department.
1t can be stated positively that the report
that President Mckinley has protested
against the coming of this lotilla is I'M
warranted. There has been no such pro-
test. At the Navy Department nothing is
known of the reported ordering home of
the Maine officers now at Havana 1t is
said that these ORDERS i; given, would come
from Admiral Sicard, and not from the
Navy Department. The several Maine sur
came in response to orders from Admiral
Sicard, and it was for this reason that
their arrival was a surprise to the naval
officials here. 1t is not expected that Capt.
Sigsbee, Lieuteaant Commander VAIN
wright and others who are assisting in the
work of wreckage will leave Havana until
the salvage of the Maine is completed.
CenIing Station Pm the West Indies.
Serious attention IS being given by the
Navy Department officials to the question
of the acquisition of a suitable location for
coaling station somewhere in the West
Indies. Steps have been taken already to
establish such a station at the Dry Tortu-
gas, but this, it is said. is the only deep
water harbor available for big war vessels
between Hampton Roads and the Rio
Grande Besides, it is practically unpro-
tected at present, and a fleet would have
to be stationed there to protect the coal
stored. which Is unsatisfactory. The Off
Gals, therefore, have been casting about
for a location which would serve the pur-
poses of a coalinS station, and which the
United States might acquire either by pur-
chase or cession from one of the friendly
governments. There are a number of fine
harbors among the West Indies which
might be used as coaling station. Sec
rotary Long is considering the matter. and
it is probable that If the government can
make the necessary arrangements sta
ton will be secured.
Bids for Powder Opened.
At the War Department bids were opened
in the bureau of ordnance for supplying
10000 pounds of brown prismatic powder
for the seacoast fertilization guns. There
We're only two bidderS-the California Pow
der Company and the Dupont Powder
Company.
In day or two the ordnance bureau will
award the contract for supplying the de-
partment 100000 smokeless powder rifle
bali cartridges of 80 caliber. Two con-
Germs submitted bids for furnishing these
cartridges-the Winchester Arms Company
and the Union Metallic Company, both of
Connecticut. Their bids were substantially
alike and the contract, probably, will be
divided between the two companies
The War Department has received i'll
formation of the recent arrival at New
York of the steamer Nordkyn, with 500
pounds of foreign smokeless powder aboard.
This powder is for testing purposes at the
Sandy Hook proving grounds.
Naming the Warships.
Senator Allen today gave notice of an
amendment he will offer to the naval ap-
preparation bill providing that hereafter
all first-class United States battle ships,
cruisers and monitors shall be named for
the states, territories ard districts of the
United States, and shall not be named for
any city, place or person until the names
o. the states shall be exhausted.
Successor to Admiral Sicard.
There is general impression at the
Navy Department that it will shortly BE-
ccme necessary to relieve Rear Admiral
Sicard Of command Of the North Atlantic
station on account of his iil-health and
grant him indefinite leave of absence for
purposes of rest and recuperation. Several
officers have been mentioned as likely to
succeed him in case change becomes nee
essary. OF the number, Commodore w. s.