The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-03-19
1T WILL BE HELD A WEEK
DEPARTMENT BUSILY WHIPPING
NAVY INTO SHAPE.
ONLY THREE SHIPS BOUGHT THUS FAR
Spain HAS Not Acquired Possession of the
varese Great Activity Prevailing in Naval
Circles The Department Still Search
ing for More Ships.

ing for More Ships.
Washington, ID. c., March 1S.-An air
of suspense was noticeable in Hhe Navy
Department to-day, due to the approach
of the time for the delivery OF the re-
port of the Court of Inquiry. 1t is not
known just when the document VIII
come to Washington. All that is known
definitely is that THE President has sug
gested that thereport be made as soon
as possible and in consequence it is eX
pected to reach this city in the course
of two or three days. The Cabinet to-
day 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 an impression that
Lieutenant Commander Mark will bring
the document, though it is within Admir-
al Sicard's power 10 choose any other
officer. A Cabinet officer expressed the
belief that the report will require care
ful consideration on the part of the
President and his Cabinet before being
given to the public, which would seem 10
rhe middle of next week, although moth
ing is certain on that point
The new naval policy embodied in the
creation of another squadron to rendeZ-
yoas at Hampton Roads was also dis
CliSsed at the Cabinet meeting mt length
to-day and received unanimous approval
IN fact, some surprise WIS expressed al
the delay on the part of the Navy De
psaTtllenf III taking some such step 10
insure the protection of the more yalua-
bic coast ports along the North Atlantic
the gathering of a useless surplus fleet
III Key West being regarded as in the
nature of putting all of our eggs in one
basket.
The San Francisco reported her ar
riYal from Lisbon at Gravesend to-day
Under his orders the commander viii
divide his crew with the Amazonas and
sail ut the earliest possible moment for
the United States, conveying the new
ship. Beyond the Amazonas. her sister
ship, Abreuall and the AIayflower, nc
Purchases of ships have been made by
the Navy Department. \ number OF
fleet steam yachts owned in the United
States are being offered to the depart
lucnt, 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 torpedo tubes
ana ilght batteries and imDrovise tor.
pedo boats. The Navy Department is
convinced that the Spanish government
mas not acquired possession of the
taHSe, the Italian armored cruiser. II
Ho'ild nor, however, be matter of deep
concern II the report were true. The
department itself had the vessel in mind
as possible acquisition. but abandon
ca the iaea upon learning that she could
not be made ready for service in les.
than three or four months, which prac-
tically put her out of consideration ae
an emergency purchase.
The gun boat Newport renorted her
arrival by. cable to the Navy Department
from GreytOwn. She will bring back to
the United States the Nicaragllan Canal
Commission, and then will be attached at
once to the North Atlantic SQUADRON
Some idea of the activity nrevaiI;no
in Naval circles is given by the state.
mCnt that the pay role of the construc
ti0n department. only one of several do
nartments in thei Mare Island Nav,
Yard. for March, was $4,000. Tbi
great expenditure per month. it is said
was not eqnalled during the late war.
he amount paid for the May1oweI
was about $40OO 900.
Recruiting is going on apace at al
stations for the Army and Navy.
The Marblehead is at Tampa. The
little Bancroft, on her way across the
ocean, reported by cable her arriyal
today at Horta, Fayal She appears tC
be making about as good time as he,
larger consort, the Helena. The Sam.
oset arrived at Key West today. as did
the Montgomery, while the Detroit sail.
ed from that port for Tortugas. Th,
Machias has arrived mt Boston. whore
she will have slight repairs made,
No official notice of the stoppage Of
the Spanish torpedo boat fiotilla at the
Canary Islands, and their turning hack
from that point has reached our govern.
met as yet, so that any assumntion
that the movements of that fiotilla have
Influenced the Navy Department to with.
draw the feet at Key West, is said to
be purely without basis of fact.
The Navy Department by no means
has suspended It's efforts to obtain nos
session of desirable warships abroad.
and i'm no direction is there visible any
relaxation of the steadily pursued pur-
pose of the Navy and War Departments
TO provide for the defense Of the country
against hostile attack.
Senator Hawley, of Connecticut. said
today that ii was the intention to get
through Congress as speedily rs posi-
hle the three battalion military bill,