Omaha daily bee., 1898-03-27


woodford had conferred on the subject. but
that any formal or final oourvs Of action had
been determined upon is not probable.
Besides the Maine event, the Spanish cabi-
net is today on the eve Of fierce political
conflict which terminates tomorrow in elec-
tio0s for the Cortes, 70 that this may cause
some slight delay.
President Mckinley had comparatively
quiet day after the excitement Of yesterday.
There were rumors OF special cabinet meet
ings. but these did not occur. The cabinet
officers devoted their attention solely to de-
partmental affairs.
Secretary Long left his once at $3.50 p. m,
remarking that he had not seen the president
in twenty -four hours, and that his entire day
had been given to detail. Az he left the de-
partment, however he went to the White
House and Joined the president Judge Day
likewise started about the same time for the
White Houee.
1t was sali, however, that the conferences
did not relate to the Maine disaster, 60 far
as Secretary Long was concerned, as he car
ried number OF naval requisitions upon the
| $50, ,00O, 900 defense fund to receive tho sig
nature Of the president no expenditure from
this extraordinary appropriation being made
until the president considers the item and
gives his written authority for IT,
The Spanish minister did not call at the
State department during the day, nor has
he been there within the last two days.
| Sir Julian Pauncefote, the British ambas-
sador. spent some time with Judge Day dur
ing the afternoon, but 1t is understood to
have no relation with the Cuban question
| r l., u,do tadl hnu hat he
British ambassador had learned officially the
essential conclusion reached by the Ameri-
con court Of inquiry, and that the British
government is apprsed Of the facts.
An official in high standing, referring to
Sir Julisrl's call, said the Maine report was
one more factor toward inducing European
governments, particularly Great Britain to
take cognizance OF the dreadful condition
Of affairs prevailing in Cuba, and to look
at least with sympathy, II not with more
practical means, to an Intervention which
| would put an end to such suffering
The Navy department as usual was the
most active center of the day. Among Sec
retary Longs callers was Mayor Quincy OF
| Boston, who discussed the need OF protect
ing the city by suitable. armament and first
class ships as we'll as the two single tur-
reted old monitors to be seat there. Mr..
Long fully shares this sentiment OF his fell
low townsman, but there Is little prospect
that the better class Of ships can be used
north Of Hampton Roads, except IN times OF
emergency.
sCHIJEY BIDS GOODBYE.
Commodore Schley came to bid goodbye tc
Secretary Long before going to Hampton
Roads to assume command Of the flying
squadron. He leaves Washington tomor.
row, and will raise his commodore's fog or
Monday. His heart is in this particular as
sgnment, and he expre-sed the creates
satisfaction on starting sar this sea service
Late in the day anotheH shift was made II
, the plans for painting We war ships, ont
Captain Crowninshield g. nally determined
that all the ships of the navy should bt
painted a dull lead color. This was the colo
| OF all federal ships during the civil war
and is said to be the best "Aghting color"
The naval bureau Of ordnance is prepar
ing new mounts for . number Of Whitehead
torpeioes, in order to place them on thu
revenue cutters, the newly acquired yacht
and tugs. The torpedo tubes were original!
intended to go below deck, but with the nev
craft the tubes and mounts must be change,
for service on the upper decks When thi
work is done Captain O'Neil head of tn
bureau, expects to be able to equip sixt.
craft IL occasion demands, with torped
tubes.
The contract for the big steel piers, Goa
sheds and extensive coal appliances for load
ing war vessels at Dry Tortugas and Ke
West was let today. The contract calls TO
completing the extensive work at Tortuga
In $50 days, and at Key West in 1870 days
The machinery is to be installed and read
for service ten days later.
Formal orders were issued today by Cap
i tain Shoemaker. chief Of the revenue cutie
9 service, for the eight revenue vessels calle
u into the service Of the navy to rendezvous a
y the Norfolk navy yard. The instruction
u given to the commanders OF the ships wer
. to report at Norfolk between March 20 an
u April g. and there to have the necessary a!
terations and repairs made upon them at tn
y earliest possible moment. AS heretofore an
e nounced the ships will proceed to Key Yves
I. as soon as they can be got ready for service
u Preparations are making by the lighthous
9 board to turn over to the Navy department
the lighthouse tenders, and Instructions wer
issued today by the board to the commander
OF the tenders to make a complete inventor
I the vessels. The tenders that will be utilize
a by the navy are the. Lilac, now at Portland
S Me-; the Mayfower and Asalia, now at Boi
d ton; the Armaria, at New York, and tn
Maple, in Chesapeake bay.
: 1t will be necessary. OF course, that thes
e vessels be reftted. to some extent an
d equipped with such light, small caliber gun
: as they are able to carry, The equipment {
the vessels and the other necessary wor
I, upon them will be done at the Norfolk nav
yards.
t 1t is regarded as not unlikely that Con,
mander w. NJ. Folger, now in charge of tn
80 New York lighthouse district, may be place
p in command of the newly acquired Brazilia
y cruiser Amazonas, now the New Orleans
IL but it can be said upon high naval authorit
III that the detail has not yet been made c
J. even determined upon. Commander Folge
10 is son of exIsecretary Of the Treasury Fol
= ger. .ta
lyl AS TO THE FLOTILLA.
Secretary Long tonight specifically state
'e that the question Of actnp to intercept tn
Spanish torpedo fotilla had not been take
~ up today.
d AS the fotilla Is pushing slowly ahead
ie mid ocean, afar from means Of communici
III tion, II will likely not be heard of for som