The Portland daily press., 1898-03-19

War.
Washington. March 1S.-An air of sus-
penss was noticeable in the navy depart
ment due to the approach of the time Tor
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 OBJ
tain possession Of it 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 be made
coon as possible and in consequence it
is expected to reach this city in the course
of TWO or three days.
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 of the
subject There is an impression that
Lieutenant Commander Mark will bring
the document, though 1t is within Admi-
raj Sicard's power to choose any other
officer. A cabinet officer expressed the
belief that tho report would require
careful consideration on the part OF the
President and his cabinet before being
given to the public which would seem to
postpone publication to about the mid
die of next week, although nothing Is
certain on that point.
The new naval policy embodied In the
creation of another squadron to rendez-
vous at Hampton Roads. was.also dis
cussed 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 in TAX
ing some such step to insure the protec-
tion Of the more valuable coast ports
along the Atlantic, the gathering OF a
uselessly surplus feet ut Key West being
regarded in the nature OF putting all OF
our eggs in one basket
The San Francisco reported her arrival
from Lisbon at Grayesend today. Under
orders the commander with divide his
crew with the AinazOnas and sail at the
earliest possible moment for the United
States conveying the new ship. Beyond
the AmaZonas, her sister ship, Abroual
and the May flower, no purchases of ships
have been made by the navy depart
ment. A number of feet steam yachts
owned in the United Stntes are being
offered to the the department. and 1t Is
possible some of these may be purchased.
Secretary Long takes the view that fail
ing TO secure the torpedo boat destroy.
ers he wants, the best plan is for him
10 equip some OF these speedy boats with
torpedo tubes and light batteries and
| improvise torpedo boats. The navy de-
partment is convinced that the Spanish
government has not acquired possession
| of thesVareso, the Italian armored cruiser.
1t would not, however, be matter of
deep concern If the report were true.
| The department itself had the vessel in
mind as possible acquisition, but aban-
doned the idea upon learning that she
could not be made ready for service in
less than three or four months, which
practically put her out of consideration
as an emergency pdrchase. The gun
boat Newport reported by cable her arri-
val at Greytown. She will bring back
to the United States the Nicaragua canal
commission and then will be attached at
once to the North Atlantic squadron.
Some idea of the activity prevailing In
that the payroll of the construction ie-
partment in only one of the several de-
partments in the Mare Island navy yard
for March, was $4,000. This great ex-
penditure per month, 1t is said, was not
euualled during the late war.
1t is said to be the purpose of the Presi-
dent and his advisors to keep separate
and distinct account of all funds ex-
pended from the $50. 600, 900 emergency
appropriation made by Congress for the
national defense. A separate form of
requisltion has been prepared and all
amounts allotted from the fund are made
upon the direct order signed by the Presi-
| dent himself.
"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 Mayflower
was about s40O, 900. Recruiting is going
on apace at all stations for the army and
the navy The Michigan, at Erie. Pa,
has enlisted 55 men SO far and good re-
ports come from all quarters. The Colum-
bia and Minneapolis are still 210 men each
short of theil proper force. This is ac-
counted for by the fact that firemen, ma
chinists and coal passsrs are wanted An
officer at the department said that 5000
landsmen could be secured in a day if
they were desired. A
1he 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 max
ing about as good time as her larger con-
sort, the Helena. The Samoset arrived at