Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-04-04
QUIET At WASHINGTON.
A Relaxation from the Exciting War News 81
the Past Few Days.

Washington. April 3.-There was
comparative quiet about the White
House and the departments, today
The members of the abinet did not cal
on the President during the early part
of the day, nor did they visit the de
partments. The White House was in
its usual state of Sunday quietude
assistant Secretary Day was the only
forenoon caller, remaining with the
President for about half an hour
Judge Day did not go to the state de-
partment and it is presumed will 10
most of his work of preparation for
matter to be incorporated in the Pres
ident's message at his home.
Several OF the higher officers of the
state department and clerks in charge
of translatng cipher cables were on
duty. Some cable messages were re-
ceived during the forenoon but it was
stated that none of them was on mat
tiers of much Importance. 1t was stat
ed that the department had no official
information about the consuls of the
j United States going to Havana for
safety.
Secretary Long did not visit the navy
department. but his mail was sent TO
his residence. Assistant Secretary
Roosevelt was at the department for a
short time attending to his correspon-
dence. a number of naval officers and
clerks We're at their desks. principally
those who have charge of active pre-
parations that are presenting for equip
ping and supplying the navy.
The naval officers read with inter
est and discussed The Associated Press
Madrid bulletin regarding the move
rnent of Spanish ships and torpedo 10
tilla. 1t was said that the fiotilla, per-
haps, had encountered bad weather,
if it had attempted to sail direct for
Porto Rico, and might have been driven
30 the Verde islands. 1t was also said
that the experienced navigators were
of the opinion that the notilIa had TAX
IN the rourS" it had in order to avoid
adverse winds ard finding u better
course by the way Of the Verde islands
than by taking Il direct route, This
course would save coal. as sail power
could he used to advantage.
Some naval officers were of the opln-
ion that they could not trust wholly
to Madrid information concerning the
movements of Spanish war vessels. ~
present ami especially if the Spanish
admiralty thought advantage would he
gained by misleading the American
navy department.
Both the war and navy departments
have been considering bases Of supplies
in the event of hostilities and all avail
able ports on the Southern and Gull
coasts have ce.ved attention.
The general belief is that the Gulf
affords more and better places than tn.
Atlantic coast. Pensacola, Tampa, Mo
bile and New Orleans are all believed
to he available. No one place will %.
depended upon The water stage
given are Pensacola. - feet; Mobile
%: Tampa, 20; and the Mississippi, 26
This is the low water entrance. 4 j:
not intended that the big war vessel,
should be taken into these places Il
receive supplies. They viii be coaIed
provisioned and receive ammunit:o:
from lighters which can be sent Owe
the bars into the harb0rs. 1t is re
garded as impracticable to attempt 7,
get the big ships to wharves and moro
over. their coming to land would no
tend to increase the efficiency and dis
cipine of their crews.
II is said that Punta Gorda. farthe
south than Tampa is being considerel
by the war department as a point 70
embarking troops and supplies in cas-
an army was sent to Cuba. Light draf
vessels can easily enter this bay fo
supch purpose.
President Mckinley did not go i
church, today. but busily engaged
Quite number of executive clerk
were also at work during the day
The opinion almost univer$au
held in Washington, tonight. b
leading public men and diplo
mats, is that the crisis WI
reach its climax this week. and tina
the question of war or peace will be de