The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-03-27
SPAIN LOSES SYMPATHY
tcontinued from Flrst Page.l

rotary Long, before going to Hampton
Roads to assume command of the flying
squadron. He leaves Washington to-mor-
row, and will raise his commodore's flag
on Monday. His heart is, in this particu-
ular assignment, and he expressed the
greatest satisfaction on starting for this
sea service.
Late in the day another shift was made
in the plans for painting the warships and
Capt. Crowninsheld finally determined
that all the ships of the navy should be
painted dull lead color. This was the col
or of all Federal ships during the civil war
and is said to be the best lighting color.
The naval bureau of ordinance is prepar-
ing new mounts for a number of White
head torpedoes in order to place them on
the revenue cutters the newly acquired
yachts and tugs. The torpedo tubes were
originally intended to go below deck but
with the new craft the tubes and mounts
must be placed for service on the upper
decks. When this work is done, Capt.
O'Neil, head of the bureau, expects to be
able to equip sixty craft, If occasion de-
mands, with torpedo tubes
The contracts for the big steel piers, coal
sheds and extensive coal appliances for
loading war vessels at Dry Tortugas and
Key West were let to-day. The Union
Bridge Company of New York city will
build the steel piers, etc, both at Tortugas
and Key West, the contract price being
$3.50 000 The tracks cars and machinery
will be furnished by the Brown Hosting
Company of Cleveland for $l51,0O0. These
were not the lowest bids, but the navy de-
partment considered other features than
the amount bid. The contract calls for
completing the extensive work at Dry Tor
tugas in 1870 days and at Key West in $50
days. The machinery Is to be installed and
ready for service ten days later.
Formal orders were issued to-day by
Capt Shoemaker, chief of the revenue cut
ter service, for the eight revenue vessels
called into the service of the navy to rem
devious at the Norfolk navy yard. The
instructions given to the commanders of
the ships were to report at Norfolk be-
tween March 20 and April 8, and there to
have the necessary alterations and repairs
made upon them at the earliest possible
moment. AS heretofore announced, the
ships will proceed to Key West as soon as
they can be gotten ready for service.
Preparations are made by the lighthouse
board to turn over to the navy department
the lighthouse tenders, and instructions
were issued to-day by the board to the
commanders of the tenders to make
complete inventory Of the present furnish
ings and equipment Of the vessels. The
equipment of the vessels and other neces-
Norfolk navy yard
For several days a proposition has been
under consideration by Secretaries Long
and Alger to form board composed of one
officer each for the army and navy to sys
tematize and harmonic the defensive OPP
erations along the Atlantic seaboard In
order that there might be no clashing be-
tween the two great arms of the govern
ment.
r. -. Ya.,,. (yoI A. = We .0ar ohiaf
of the bureau of military intelligence, was
! designated by Secretary Alger to act with
| Capt. Barker as the representative of the
| army Late this afternoon Capt. Barker
| and Col Wagner had an extended con-
| ference with Assistant Secretary Roose-
welt in the latter's private office.
Preliminary plans of the operations of
the board were formulated on the lines
indicated above, but no definite statement
concerning the nature of the boards work
could be obtained from any Of the parties
to the conference.
| In the case of hostilities the work of the
board will be very important, as through
| 1t the two great departments of the gov
eminent at all times will work in perfect
unison. 1t is believed by many of the
war and navy officials that the board,
composed as 1t Is of two most efficient
| officers, will prove of distinct value.
AS rapidly as possible the navy depart
ment is pushing the work of preparation
| for calling into active service such of
the naval militia of the various states
as may be needed and will volunteer for
| service.
A large contract for disappearing gun
carriages was awarded to-day to the Wal
ker company of Cleveland, o., whose i'm
mense foundries and machine shops have
been placed at the disposal of the govern
| ment- The company will run its plant
night and day to rush the work for rapid
delivery 1t is probably that the first de-
liveries will begin in about three weeks.