Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1898-03-11
Waffle PREpARArloNs.
Government Securing the Word for War
hips-Unprecedensed Activity.


hips-Unprecedensed Activity.
Washington, March 9.-That thi
government is nearing a crisis in it
relations with. Spain which may EN-
broil the two nations in actual wa
within short time is apparent. I'm
precedented preparations for war
both offensive and defensive are being
made, an army of men working nigh
and day. Leading men of all parties
are being called into consultation with
the president and cabinet, and public
feeling being accurately guaged. The
fact that an appropriation of $50, 000,-
900 passed the house without a dissent
ing vote for war supplies, when for
months all appropria tions have been
scaled and the smallest appropriation
scrutinized and pared down TO the
limit, is in itself more suggestive than
anything which has preceded it. tits
conceded that the report of the naval
board Investigating the Maine disas-
ter may forestal war. and the country
will not be unprepared.
There was a very strong suggestion
of the state of affairs that might exist
in time of actual war, in the busy
scenes presented at the navy and war
departments There was an almost
unbrohen succession Of conferences be-
tween officers and officials of various
degrees, and throughout both these
branches of the war establishment the
greatest activity was exhibited.
Secretary Long before 10 o'clock
had been Obliged to retire to his pri-
vate Office and deny himself to all
callers, in order to hold a conference
Senator Lodge was present as well
as Chairman Hale of the senate naval
committee; Chairman Boutelie of
the house naval committee; Cap
tain Bradford, chief of the equip
ment bureau; Captain Brownson and
Assistant Secretry Roosevelt; Chief |
Constructor Ilitchborn and Admiral
chief of the bureau yards
and docks, were also called to the con- |
ference by the secretary, to deal with |
special phases of the question under
The conference had to
TO with preparations for putting the
navy at the highest state of efficiency.
Secretary Long found time during
.he progress of the conference to talk
a moment with Mr.. Lane, who has sub
nitted to the department proposals
Tor the sale of certain warships now
in Europe at private ship
ards What passed between them is
lot known, but Mr.. Lane FASTENED
immediately to the cable office at the
conclusion Of the conversation to com
nunicate directly with his principals
n Europe.
That affairs are nearing crisis is
and emphasized by the fact
hat Commander Brownson, a trusted
fllccr, has been selected to 90 to Eu- 4
ope to examine warships which are {
uilding there and which may be for 6
ale. He will view Marshal Florina l
nd Marshal de Orders, building for a
rail, which it is understood, the gov a
has been importuned to buy. a
In addition TO European boats, Japan G
rs two now building in the United /
tates, one by Cramps at Philadel- D
ria, the other at the Union Iron II
orks at San Francisco, which can be s
mpleted in ninety days. Overtures t.
oking to their requirement by the Il
'vernment have been made. In case ="
actual war, should Japan refuse to
Il, the right of eminent domain
'uld permit the United States to M
Se the two cruisers without refer
ce to Japan's rights. This contin-
ncy has also been discussed, which g..
but straw showing the state of -
ling in official circles and the thor u
Oh manner in which preparations de
defensive, if not aggressive action w
/, being made.