The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-03-11

monitor Conancho at Marc Island has been
examined and found IN tolcrab!c condition.
AT League Island the Miantonomoh aud tho
ram katahdin went Into commission today
though they have not yet had their orders.
They probably will remain on the Delaware
river or uron down into the BAY. The tor
peAio boat Dupont sailed today from Mobile
TO attach herself to the iotilla AZ Key
West.
Again II was said at the navy department
that nothing had been heard from the
court OF inquiry at Havana nor frcm Al.
mirai sicard at Key Most.
The presence In the city OF several per-
sons connected with steamship lines and
steel works led TO the circulation oil q
number OF sensational stories during the
day. but as perhaps none OF these had
the persistency OF one thtt found currency
Ut the capitol, I'LL ~ met summary dental
at the hands OF Assistant Secretary Day.
TO the effect that Minister Woodtord had
notified the Spanish government that the
president Intended TO send congress u mes
SAKE announcing his recognition OF Cuban
Independence.
Commander Hawley left Washington this
evening for the South with Chief Engineer
Webster and Surgeon. Parsons to cnlist
machinists for the navy, During the day
the beard changed its plans and nnniiy
start,d directly for New Orleans. II has
been informed there are n number Of good
men TO DO had on the gulf coast cities and
recruiting offices in the gulf cities rs hit
goes along inst as was done bv him In tile
West last summer.
A conference was held NJ 3 o'clock in the
office OF Assistant Secretary Roosevelt To
map out plans for arming and cquipping
merchant vessels as auxiliary cruisers. Mr.,
Roosevelt presided and others present were
Coptain Crowninshield OF the bureau of
navigation Captain O'Neill OF the bureau OF
ordnance Chief Hichborn Of the bureau OF
construction and Commander Bradford OF
the bureau OF yards aud docks. This meet
ing had been preceded by a call from Prcsi-
dent Grscomb OF the International Nayiga-
tion company, which owns the four ships
St Louis. st. Paul, Paris and New York.
The board meeting brought out general
discussion of the work the various bureaus
would be called upon TO perform In making
these and othsr vessels ready as AUXILIARY
cruisers. About 95 per cent OF this work
would fall to the lot OF the bureau oil con-
struction, which would have charge of In
stalling magazines. gun mounts, light pro-
tective arrnor for the guns ani magazines
and tires on which the guns swing. This
work II is said could be accomplished
readily within two weeks time. and all
materials except the guns are on hand. The
bt.rcau OF ordnance could not supply all the
guns required within that short timo.
tlorgh some seventy or more are now
available. The supply would be adequate.
NOWcNeT, IOT Inc UOSt tueINiNt duNllhIN
cruisers, and the complete armament OF the
merchant ships could proceed ns rapidly rs
possible thereafter.
On the question OF manning the auxiliary
fleet, the navy department feels that the
most effective steps would be to enlist into
the United States naval service the present
merchant crews Of the several ships. Thse
crews are thoroughly familiar with the yes
sells and could handle them with greater
effect than green crews of blue Jackets.
The ships would be differed from the line
OF the regular navy. In the case OF enlist
ing n merchant crew the pay and allow
ances would be about equivalent TO the
rates paid ordinary sailors and the time OF
enlistment would doubtless be limited to
short periods.
The proposed batteries for the auxiliary
cruisers consist In the case Of the steam
ships st. Louis and ST. Paul of eight six
inch guns and six gix-poundss and four
machine guns; the New York and Parts
twelve six-inch guns. six six. Founders and
six machine guns. II In designed to give
vessels OF tho Caracas and Seneca type q
main battery Of eight four-inch guns and
from six TO eight rapid fire machine guns.
Those OF the Vigilanca class are designed
20 have main battery Of six five-inch
and four four-incb guns. four one FOUNDERS
and three machine guns. The batteries OF
the auxiliary cruisers on the Pacific coast
are substantially similar slx-inch guns
being the largest ones designed for use in
that service.
The naval department finds itself In
comparatively good condition as TO the sup
My OF automatic torpeioes. which coDsti
tute one Of the most deadly engines OF
raval destruction. The Whitehead tor
prdo is now in general use. though few
of the howell class are still on hand FIFTY
a. the Whitehead torDedoeg were secured a
short time ago and with these there are
total of about $50 ON hand. This givee not
only full outfit for vessels pow In com
mission, but the necessary reserve supply.
ARMS IN ITALX.