The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-03-22
AN AIR OF SUSPENSE
PERVADES OFFICIAL CIRCLES AT
WASHINGTON

The vesuvius on Her Way to the Capital.
Denial That She Carries the Courts Re-
port-The Stars aud Stripes Raised Over
the ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF Warships
and Troops-The Court Still in Session.
SPANS Military strength-War Preferred
to Paying Indemnity.
Washington, March 1S.-An air of
suspense was noticeable IN the navy
department today, due 10 the approach
of the time for the delivery If the re-
port of the court of inquiry. 1t is not
known just when the document will
come to Washington. All that is known
definitely is that the president has
suggested hat the report be MAJ as
soon as possible, and, in consequence,
it is expected to reach this city in the
course of two or three days. The cabi-
net today talked over the matter and
the time stated was the general opin-
ion of the members when they had
heard all tina Secretary Long had to
report on the subject. There is an i'm
preston that Lieutenant Commander
Mark will bring the document, though
IL IL Ill o. . P'"NA ~
choose any other officer. A cabinet Of
ficer expressed the belief that the re-
port will require careful consideration
on the part of the president and his
cabinet before being given to the pub
lie, which would seem to postpone pub
Iication to some time about the middle
of next week, although nothing is GER
tain on hat point.
MOVEMENTS IN THE NAVY.
The new naval policy embodied in the
creation of another squadron to rem
devious at Hampton Roads was also
discussed at the cabinet meeting at
length today and received unanimous
approval. In fact, some surprise was
expressed at the delay on the part Of
the navy department in taking some
such step to ensure the protection of
more coast ports along the north At
lantic, the gathering of a uSelessly sur
plus fleet at Key West being regarded
as i'm the nature of putting all of our
eggs in one baske
The San Francisco reported her ar
rival from Lisbon at Gravesend today.
Under his orders the commander will
divide his crew with the Amazonas and
sail at the earliest possible mOmen
for the United States, conveying the
new ship. Beyond the AmazOnas, her
sister ship, the Abreuall, and the May
flower, no purchases of Ships have been
made by the navy department. A num-
her of steamships owned in the United
States are being offered to the depart
ment and it is probable that some Of
these will be purchased. Secretary
Long takes the view that, failing to
secure the torpedo boat destrOyers he
wants, the best plan is for him to equip
some of these speedy boats with tor
pedO tubes and light batteries and im-
provise torpedo boats. The navy de-
partment is convinced that the Spanish
government has not acquired posses
sion of the Varese, the italian armOred
cruiser. 1T would not, however, be a
matter of deep concern if the report
were true. The department itself had
the vessel in mind as a possible &C
quisitiOn, hut abandoned the idea upon
learning that she could not be made
ready for service in less han three or
four months, which practically put
her out of consideration as an eTner-
gency purchase.
The gunboat Newport reported her
arrival by cable to the navy depart
ment from GreytOwn. She will bring
back to the United States the Mica
raguan canal commission and then will
be attached at once to the North At
lantfc squadron.
Some idea of the activity prevailing
in naval circles is given by the state
ment that the payroll of the construc-
tiOn department, only one of several
department in the Mare island navy
yard, for March will be $50, 900. This
great expenditure per month, it is
said, Was-nOt eQuailed during the late
war. The amount paid for the May
flower was about $400, 600.
paorrIitir0 &c cOinr n, anao Of oil
stations for the army and navy.
The Marblehead is at Tampa. The
little Bancroft or her way across the
ocean. reported by cable her arrival
today at Horta, Fayal. She appears
to be making about as good time as
her larger %cOnsort, the Helena. The
SamOse arrived at Key West today
as did the Montgomery, while the De
tToit sailed from that port for TOrtugas
The Machias has arrived at Boston
where she will have slight repairs
made.
No official notice of the stOppage OF
the Spanish torpedo boat fiOtiiia at the
Canary islands and their turning zach
from that point has reached cur gov
eminent as yet, so that any assumption
hat the movements of that flOtill6
have influenced the navy department
to withdraw the fleet at Key West Is
aid to be purely without basis of fact
The navy department by no means
has suspended its efforts to obtain
possession of desirable waTships abroad
and in no direction is there visible any
relaxation of the steadily pursued pur.
pose of the navy and war department:
to provide for the defense of the coun
try against hostile attack.
TO RUSH BILL TO INCREASE
ARMY.
Senator Hawley, of Connecticut, sale
today that it was the intention to ge
through congress as speedily as possibly
the three battalion military bin which
was introduced at the suggestion o
the department in both houses yester
day for strengthening the military arm
of the service and providing for it's in
crease to 104, 900 men if necessary.
THE STARS AND STRIPES OVET
THE AMAZONAS.