Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-03-10
MORE CONFERENCES
Activity Displayed at the War and
Navy Departments.
CONVERTING THE AUXILIARY CRUISERS
New Spanish Minister to Be Pre-
sented Tomorrow.
ERfING THE AUXILIARY CRUISERS
OPINION OF LEADERS S

consultation with President Linderman,
Vice President Davenport and Mr.. Meggs
Of the Bethlehem Iron Company This
corporation has a contract for supplying
100 heavy rifles for coast defenses. Many
of these have been delivered already and
the Secretary's purpose in inviting the
representatives of the company to meet
him was to ascertain the extent of their
resources IN case of emergency and to
induce them to press the work in their
hands with all diligence. In both of these
undertakings the Secretary was successful.
While this conference was in progress at
the War Department, Secretary Long was
engaged in an earnest consultation with
President Griscom of the American Trans
atlantic Line OF steamers. Mr.. Griscom has
Just returned from Florida and stopped here
on his way to Philadelphia for the express
purpose of meeting Secretary Long, pre-
sumably to inform the department to
what can be done in the way of converting
the vessels of the American Line into
auxiliary cruisers for the navy, under the
terms of the subsidy act in case they are
needed. In the case of the fine steamers
OF this line the department has already
provided itself with full information as to
all technical points of construction, how
ever, such their ability to carry guns.
Is wanted OF Mr.. Griscom probably is in
formation as to when the vessels can be
had, their sailing schedules and such points.
A good many cable messages were
ceived at the Navy Department over night
and this morning. Il was said that there
was not among them any word from the
court of inquiry or from Admiral Sicard
but that they were almost all messages
from United States naval attaches abroad
relative to warshps under construction and
subject to purchase in the countries to
which they accredited For obvious
and prudential reasons the department is
not giving publicity at this stage to any
of these dispatches.
4 Railing With a History.
railing was erected over night in the
navigation bureau of the Navy Depart
msnt, thus separating the public, including
the newspaper man, fIom the officers at
their desks. 1t was explained that this pre-
caution was very necessary, in view of the
crow ded condition Of the offices at this
tina. 1t is recalled that this particular
railing has history. in that it mas always
made It's appearance in the same place Gil
all occasions of a war scare during re-
cent years. such as the Chilean affair, the
Italian imbroglio and like incidents. only
10 be taken down soon conditions had
resumed their normal quiet.
The Navy Department is renewing its eff
forts to secure the enlistment of machin-
sts and 10 this end board of officers has
been d1pointed to open UP new field. The
hoard is composed OF Commander Hawley
Chief Engineer Webster and Il surgeon vet
TO be selected 1t will MAKE a special ef-
fcrt to secure recruits in The middle and
southern west. Going first to Cleveland,
OEIo the board will work on southwark to
Mobile and New Orleans, possibly going as
lar westward as Galveston. These ma
chInlsis are pretty well paid. naval sal
aries so, the lowest grade receiving $40 a
month, while chief maChinists in charge of
engine room watches, are paid $40. In both
cases th-re is allowance of rations
clothing and other supplies that, taken in
connection with the salary, make the places
rather desirable
Diplomatic Day.
This being diplomatic day at the State
Department, 1t would not be a matter of
note IN ordinary times to see the British
ambassador among the callers upon the
Secretary of State and Judge Day. But in
view of the publications Of late touching
upon alliances between the United States
ard Great Britain and the British refusal
TO allow us TO purchase warships in Eng
attached
his visit today The ambassador himself
refused to make any statement for publi-
cation relative to these matters, being visi-
bly, annoyed at the prominence that has
been given to these publications. but there
was difficulty in obtainine from the
State Department unequivocal deniaIs of
both thsse stories. As to the warships the
Lest proof OF the fact that no Inhibition
had been laid upon thei- purchase in Great
Britain Is the satisfactory progress of the
negotiations through our naval attaches
and other government representatives
abroad for the securement OF options On
such ships are deemed desirable as ad-
citiols TO our navy.
Mr.. NJ Carnbon. the French ambassador.
went over to the Navy department after
paying his weekly catl upoa the Secretary
of State. and paid a short Visit to Secretary
Long. This, it was said, however, was
nothing but n formal call, the new smbas-
sador having up to This time failed TO make
the usual visit Of ceremony upon thu cffi-
GERS of the cabinet
Port Royal Dry Dock.
Reports received at the Navy Department
ficm the contractor in charge of dredging
rev anchorage ground for vessels at the
Cry dock at Port Royal, g. c., are of a
E0NuTe 10 encourage the officials to hope
that the work of getting a sufficient an
chorage may not be unnecessarily delayed
This Is new idea which the dock bureau
las put into practical operation, as the
basin will have an adequate depth of
v@ter either at high or low tide to accom-
eiodatc naval vessels. Heretofore ships
taNe been compelled to come In from below
only at high water and then get out of the
dock under the same circumstances-a ce-
lay and vexation that cant considerable
in time Of war or other important event.
The adaptability of the Port Royal dock
to United States war vessels at all times
Is one of great interest to the government
South of Newport News it is the only dock
o. the Atlantic coast available for use of
the vessels Of the North Atlantic squadron
Hence the desire of the officials that il be
brought up to the highest state of repair
and practicability in case of need. Al
though 1t Is hoped from the contractors
report that thirty feet Of water at low