The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1898-03-25


suspense was noticeable in the navy
department, 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, of course, in view Of
the reports Of the determination of
outside parties to obtain possession of
1t before the department receives the
report, the officials, if they know, will
not say how the papers are to be
brought to Washington. All that is
known definitely is that the president
has suggested that the report he made
as soon as possible, and in conse-
quence it is expected to reach this city
III the course of two or three davs.
The cabinet talked over the matter
and the time stated was the general
opinion of the members when they
had heard all that Secretary Long had
to report on the subject. There is au
Impression that Lieut.. Mark will
bring the document, though it is with
III Admiral Sicard's power to choose
any office.
"A cabinet officer expressed the belief
that the report will require careful
consideration on the part of the pres
ident and his cabinet before being
given to the public, which would seem
to postpone publication to some time
about the middle of the week, although
nothing is certain on that point.
Beyond the Amazonas, her sister
ship Abreuall and the Mayfower, no
purchases of ships have been made by
the navy department A number of
fleet steam yachts owned in the Unit
ed States are being offered to the de.
partment, and 1t is probable that some
of these
Will Re Purchased
The navy department is convinced that
the Spanish government has not ac-
quired possession of the Varese, the
Italian armored cruiser. 1t would not,
however, be matter of deep concern
if the report were true. The depart
ment itself had the vessel in mind as
a 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. Some idea of
the activity prevailing in naval circles
is given by the statement that the pay
roll of the construction department,
only one of several departments, in
the Mare Island navy yard for March
was $4,000. This great expenditure
per month, it is said, was not equalled
during the late war. Recruiting is go.
ing on aDace at all stations for the
army and navy. The Michigan, at
Erie. Pa, has enlisted fifty-tive men
so far. and good reports come from all
quarters.
The Marblehead is at Tampa. The
little Bancroft, on her way across the
ocean. reported by cable on her arrival
at Horta, Fayal. She seems to be
making about as good time as her
larger consort, the Helena. The Sam
oset arrived at Key West. as did the
Montgomery. while the Detroit sailed
from that port for Tortugas. The
Machias has arrived at Boston, where
she will have slight repairs made. The
ordnance bureau of the war depart
ment has awarded contracts for
large number of steel armor piercing
and deck-piercing projectiles for the
coast fertilization guns. There were
several bidders, but instead of giving
the contract to one concern the bureau
divided the contract so that supplies
will be coming from several quarters
at the same time.