The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-03-19
AN AIR OF SUSPENSE
The Report of the Court Expected
in a Few Days.
DETAILS MOT GIVEN OUT
Outside Parties Have Determined to Get
Hold of the Report Before the De-
partment Receives 1.-THE New
Naval Policy Approved.

Washington, March lS.-An air OF
suspense was noticeable in the navy
department to-day, due to the approach
of the time for the delivery of the re-
port of the court of inquiry. 1t is not
known just when the document will
come to Washington and, in view of
the reports of the determination of out
side parties to obtain possession of 1t
before the department receives the re-
port, the officials, if they know, will not
say now the papers are to be brought
to Washington. All that is known def
nitely is that the president has sug-
gested that the report be made as soon
as possible, and in consequence, 1T Is
expected to reach this city in the
course of two or three days. The cab
met to-day talked over the matter and
the time stated was the general opinion
of the members when they had heard
all that Secretary Long had to report
on the subject. There is an impress
sion that Lieutenant Commander Mar
tx will bring the document, though it
is within Admiral Sicard's power to
choose any other officer. A cabinet Of
ficer expressed the belief that the re-
port will require careful consideration
on the part of the president and his
cabinet before given to the public,
which would seem to postpone publica-
ton to some time about the middle of
next week. although nothing is certain
on that point
The new naval policy embodied in
the creation of another squadron to
rendezvous at Hampton Roads was
also discussed at the cabinet meeting
to-day and received the presidents ap-
proval.
The San Francisco reported her arri-
val from Lisbon at Gravesend to-day
Under his orders, the commander will
divide his crew with the AmaZonas,
and will sail at the earliest possible
moment for the United States. convoy
ing the new Warship. Beyond the
Amazonas, her sister ship, Abroual,
and the Mayfiower, no purchase of
ships have been made by the navy de-
partment. A number of fleet steam
yachts owned in the United States are
being offered to the department, and it
is probable that some of these will be
purchased. Secretary Long takes the
view that failing to secure the torpedo
boat destroyers he wants, the best plan
is for him to equip some of these
speedy boats with torpedo tubes and
light batteries and improvise torpedo
boats. The navy department is con-
vinced that the Spanish government
has not acquired possession of the
Varez. the Italian armored cruiser Tt
would not, however. be a matter of
deep concern If the report were true.
The department itself had the vessel
in mind as a possible acquisition, but
abandoned the idea upon learning that
she could not be made ready for serv-
ice in less than three or four months,
which practically puts her out of con-
sideratiop as an emergency purchase.
The gunboat Newport reported her ar
rival by cable to the navy department
from Greytown. She will bring back
to the United States the Nicaragua
canal commission, and then will be at
tached at once to the North Atlantic
squadron.
Some idea of the activity prevailing
in naval circles is given by the state
ment that the pay roll of the construc-
tion department. only one of several de-
partments in the Mare Island navy
yard, for March, was sSO.o0O. This great
expenditure per month, it is said, was
not equaled during the late war.
1t is SAD to be the purpose of the
president and his advisers 10 keep sepa-
rate and distinct account OF all funds
expended from the $50, 900, 900 emergency
appropriation made by congress for the
national defense. In accordance with
this intention a separate form of requi-
s.tion has been prepared, and all
amounts allotted from the fund are
made upon the direct order, signed by
the president himself
THE president wants to report to con-
gresS just how every cent of this money
is spent" said a member of the cabinet
today, ''and for this reason is adopting
the course above outlined"
The amount paid for the Mayfiower
was about 100000. Recruiting is go-
ing on apace at all stations for the army
and navy. The Michigan. at Fort Erie.
Pa. has enlisted 55 men so far, and
good reports come from all quarters.
The Columbia and Minneapolis are still
210 men each short of their proper force.
This is accounted for by the fact that
firemen, machinists and coal passers are
wanted. An officer at the department
said that 5000 landsmen could be se-
cured in a day If they were desired.
The Marblehead is at Tampa. The
little Bancroft. on her way across the
ocean. reported by cable her arrival to-
day at Korta. Fayal. She appears TO
be making about as good time as her
larger consort, the Helena. The Samo-
set arrived at Key West, as did Mont
gomery, while the Detroit sailed from
that port for Tortugas The Machias
has arrived at Boston. where she will
have slight repairs made.
The ordnance bureau Of the war de-
partment today awarded contracts for
a large number of steel armor piercing
and deck piercing projectiles for the
eral bidders. but instead Of giving the
contract to one concern, the bureau di-
vided the contract so that supplies will
! be coming from several quarters at the
same time.