The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-03-18

"A ooAhC III AdlhS-NOL A1fAl0 OF
European Intervention-views of Span
tsh Cabinet-srbral Again Interviewed.
Washington, March 15.-This was
another busy day in the war and navy
departments. Secretary Alger was en-
abled to make an allotment Of funds
from the appropriation of $50, 900, 900,
which will greatly facilitate the work
of the bureaus. These bureaus had
not been able to conclude any con-
tracts for the procurement Of war SUD
plies because no allotment had EN-
made, but this afternoon the ordnance
bureau was given 81, 500, 900 and bust
ness went forward with a rush. 1t is
true that his sum is already mortgage
ed under provisional arrangements
made during the past week, but with
the assurance of more funds to come
the work of the bureau is now NOV
ing rapidly.
Secretary Long was exceedingly busy
today, having not only to give a good
deal Of time to the cabinet, to which
he was obliged to return twice, but also
being obliged to see a great many per-
sons with whom the department has
or expects to have contract relations.
Among the latter was Mr.. Herreshoff,
the torpedo boat builder from Bristol,
r. I. He turned two of these boats
over to the department a feW days ago
and the s~ecretary's purpose in consult
ing him was to learn how much he
could hasten the work OO one Of the
boats remaining on his hands, which
in ordinary times would require about
W months to complete. The Secre-
tary also spent a good deal of time
at intervals during the day in consult
ing over the long distance telephone
with naval officers in New York, and
it is believed much of this consultation
concerned the procurement of suitable
vessels from among the auxiliary navy
for war purposes. Mr.. Master, of the
Columbian iron works at Baltimore,
has notified the department hat he
will be able to turn over to it the tor
pedo boat Rodgers next Saturday. The
Rogers is a boat which smashed her
engines in the midst Of a trial trip
about six months ago. 1t was neces-
Sary almost to replace the engines, but
under the hurry orders from the
navy department his has been done in
good time. 1t is expected that the boat
will be taken at once from Baltimore
to Norfolk. The department has no
disposition to waste time at this juno
ture in making trial trips, but knowing
the boa to be of satisfactory type,
like her sister boat, the Winslow, and
workmanship according to the naval
inspectors reports, she will be accept
ed out of hand, as were the Grin and
Talbot last week.
TO MAN THE AMAZONAS.
The new cruiser, Amazonas, accord
ing to present plans, will be manned
entirely from the San Francisco. That
vessel sailed at 6 o'clock this morning
from Lisbon and will arrive in the
Tyne about Friday. Ut is expected hat
she will divide her officers and crew
with the Amazonas, placing Lieuten-
ant Commander Arthur 3. Nazro, ex-
ecutive officer of the San Francisco,
in charge of the latter vessel. Without
doubt the Amazonas will be gotten
across the ocean as soon as possible,
and 1T is expected that the San Fran
cisco will cOnVO her.
The torpedo boat Foote arrived at
Jacksonville his afternoon. The Ma
Chias sailed from Norfolk to Boston,
where she will undergo some repairs
made necessary by her long Asiatic
cruise. The Brooklyn went to New
port News for coal. The Marblehead,
which is taking or stores at Tampa,
sailed to rejO n the squadron at Tor
tugas.
Judge Advocate General Lemly re-
ceived a telegram this afternoon from
Havan announcing the arrival there
of the derrick Chief, in tow of the
tug Underwater. 1t is expected that
this derrick will greatly facilitate the
work of Wrecking the Maine.
DILATORTNESS OF CONTRAC
TORS.
The war department is greatly dis
appointed and annoyed at the dilatori-
ness shown by the contractors who
have undertaken to construct the new
fOrtifiCatiOnS along the Dat 1t is SAID
that only one among he whole number
has finished his contract on time. The
department has been greatly embar-
raised thereby in placing its guns and
has been obliged to extend the time al
lowed these contractors. The depart
ment has determined not to submit tC
further obstruction in prosecuting the
work undertaken. but will do the work
itself and refrain from entering int
contracts.
REPORT EXPECTED THIS WEEK
THE general expectation Of tht
members of the cabinet" aid one OF
them after the meeting today. lis that
some report will be received during the
present week from the court of inquiry
examining into the cause OF the Maine
explosion. Yet he added, lit would
not be surprising to us if the report
should be delayed for a longer time
We AVE nothing on which to bass
this hope, that I know of, only the
feeling seems general that what !
have said will be the case. There is
nothing at hand as yet to indicate what
will be the nature of the findings OF
the court. Today our time was occu.
pied in a general discussion of the
measure under way for the nationa
defense, notably in regard to the &C
QuisitiOn of new vessels of war. W.
are keeping an eye on the two ship:
under construction for Chill and TIT
Argentine Republic. but it is not prob.
able we can get them. If We canno
obtain the ships, it is a source of sat
isfaction to now that Spain viii no
be able to purchase them either.