The herald., 1898-03-19
NOTHING YET CERTAIN
AS TO WHEN OR BY WHOM IT
WILL BE BROUGHT
NO Definite PLANS ARE MADE
But No Action Neglected Which Tends
to Put the Nation in Condition
for Effective Defense
Associated Press Special Wire

Associated Press Special Wire
| WASHINGTON, March 1S.-An air Of
suspense was noticeable in the navy de-
| partment today, due to the approach OF the
| time for the delivery of the report of the
court of inquiry. 1t is not known just when
| the document will come to Washington,
and in view of the reports of the determine
| alton of outside parties to obtain possess
sion of it before the department receives
| the report, the officials If they know. will
mot say how the papers are to be brought
| to Washington. All that is known defin-
itely is that the president has suggested
| that the report be made as soon as pos
sible, and in consequence it is expected to
reach this city in two or three days. The
cabinet today talked over the matter, and
| the time stated was the general opinion Of
the members when they heard all that
Secretary Long had to report on the SUBJ
ject There is an impression that Lieu
tenant Commander Mark will bring the
document, though 1t is within Admiral
Scard's power to choose any other Of
f1cer.
A cabinet officer expressed the belief
that the report will require careful con-
sideration on the part of the president and
which would seem to postpone publication
to some time about the middle of next
week. although nothing is certain on that
point.
Every phase Of the several questions in
volved is being carefully and thought
fully considered and 1t Is believed very
soon after the report is received the Pres
ident. possibly in conjunction with Con-
gress, will announce a definite policy. Un-
til then nothing of a decisive character Will
be done or decided upon.
THE NAVAL POLICY
The new naval policy embodied In the
creation Of another squadron to rendezvous
at Hampton roads was also discussed at
the cabinet meeting at length today and re-
ceived unanimous approval.
The San Francisco reported her arrival
from Lisbon at Gravesend today. Under
orders the commander will divide his crew
with the Amazonas and will sail at the
earliest possible moment for the United
States. conveying the new ship.
Beyond the Amazonas, her sister ship,
the Abreuall, and the Mayfiower no pur-
chases of ships have been made by the
navy department. A number of fleet
steam yachts, owned in the United States,
are being offered to the department, and
1t is probable that some of these will be
purchased Secretary Long takes the view
that, failing to secure the torpedo boat de-
stroyers he wants, the best plan is for him
to equip some of these speedy boats with
torpedo tubes and light batteries and i'm
provise torpedo boats.
The navy department is convinced that
the Spanish government has not acquired
possession of the Varez, the italian ar
| or,1ica hou 10
a matter of deep concern If the report
were true. The department itself had the
vessel in mind as possible acquisition, but
abandoned the idea upon learning that she
could not be made ready for service in less
than three or four months, which prac-
tically put her out of consideration as an
emergency purchase.
The gunboat Newport reported her ar
rival by cable to the navy department from
Greytown. She will bring back to the
United States the Nicaragua canal COM
mission and then will be attached to the
North Atlantic squadron.
EXPENDITURE OF FUNDS
Some idea of the activity prevailing In
naval circles is given by the statement
that the pay roll of the construction de-
partment, only one of several departments
in the Mare Island navy yard, for March
was sso,O0O This great expenditure per
month, it is said, was not equaled during
the late war
1t is said to be the purpose Of the presi-
dent and his advisers to keep separate
and distinct accounts of all funds ex-
pended from the $4,000, 900 emergency ap-
, preparation made by congress for the ma
tional defense In accordance with this
> intention, a separate form of requisition
lotted from the fund are made upon direct
order, signed by the president himself.
1.-THE president wants to report to con-
gress just how every cent of this money
is spent" said member of the cabinet
today, "and for this reason is adopting the
course above outlined"
The amount paid for the Mayfiower was
about $780, 900.
Recruiting is going on apace at all sta
tions for the army and navy. The Mich
, igan at Fort Erie, Pa, has enlisted forty.
FIVE men so far, and good reports come
from all quarters.
The Columbia and Minneapolis are still
21O men each short Of their proper force.
This is accounted for by the fact that fire.
men. machinists and coal passers are
wanted. An officer at the department said
, that 5000 landsmen could be secured in q
day If they were desired.
The Marblehead is at Tampa The little
Bancroft, on her way across the ocean.
reported by cable her arrival today at
Horta, Fayal. She appears to be malr-
} ing about as good time as her larger con-
sort, the Helena. The Samoset arrived 1t
Key West today. as did the Montgomery.
while the Detroit sailed from that port for
} Tortugas. The Machias has arrived at
) Boston. where she win have slight ~
pairs made. sA
I ment today awarded contracts for = largp
number Of steel armor-piercing ana deck