The herald., 1898-03-27

Day likewise starting for the White House
It was stated, however, that the confer
ences did not relate to the Maine disaster
80 far as Secretary Long was concerned. a
he carried number Of naval requisition!
on the $50, 600 defense fund to receive
the signature OF ;he president, no expendi
ture from this extraordinary appropria
tion being made until the president consid'
ers the item and gives his written author
ity for 1t.
Before going to the White House Judge
Day had, long conference with Assistant
Secretary of State Adee, whose particular
forte is the framing Of state department
papers to meet diplomatic requirements
Whether /. related to the Spanish matter
could rot be learned, for on THIS Judge Day
and all others ia the state department
maintained complete silence. Judge Day
dscMned to say whether any dispatches
| had gone 10 Madrid or come from there
'concerning the Maine report or the Cubar
question. The Spanish minister did MOI
call at the state department during tho day
\ nor has he been there within the last TWO
/, days.
I JuudH 1auuCCAotSt thS DAAsASAA eAiAA
| kbassador, spent some time with Judge Day
during the afternoon, but it is understood
to have no relation to the Cuban question
| It is undoubtedly true, however, that the
British ambassador had learned officially
'the essential conclusion reached by the
American court of inquiry, and that the
British government is apprised of the
facts. An official in high standing, refer
ring to Sir Juiian's call. stated that the
Maine report was one more factor towards
inducing European governments, par
ticuiarly Great Britain, to take cognizance
of the dscadent condition of affairs pre-
vailing in Cuba, and to look at least with
/ sympathy, If not with more practical
means. to Intervention which would put
an end to such suffering.
AN ACTIVE CENTER
The navy department, as usual, was the
most active center of the day. Among
Secretary Longs callers was Mayor
Quincy Of Boston, who discussed the need
Of protecting the city by suitable arma-
ment and first-class ships, as well as the
two single turreted old monitors to be sent
there
Mr.. Long fully shared this sentiment of
his fellow townsman. but there Is little
prospect that the better class of ships can
be used north of Hampton roads, except in
times Of emergency.
Commodore Schley came to bid goodbye
to 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 flag on
Monday. His heart is in this particular
assignment, and he expressed the greatest
satisfaction on starting for this service.
Late In the day another shift was made
in the plans for painting the warships, and
Captain Crowninshield formally deter
mined that all the ships of the navy should
be painted a dull lead color.
This was the color of all federal ships
during the civil war. and is said to be the
best fighting COLOR
Naval bureau of ordnance is preparing
new mounts for number of whitehead tor
pedoes in order to place them on the reve-
nue. cutters, the newly acquired yachts and
tugs.
The torpedo tugs were originally intended
to go below deck. but with the new craft
tubes and mounts must be changed for SER
vice on the upper decks. When this work
is done. Captain O'Neill, head of the bu-
reau, expects to be able to equip sixty craft
If occasion demands, with torpedo tubes.
The contract for the big steel piers, coal
sheds and extensive coal appliances for
loading war vessels at Dry Tortugas and
Key West were let today. The Union
Bridge company of New York will build
the steel piers, etc., both at Tortugas and
Key West, the contract price being $590,0O
The tracks, cars, machinery, ETC., will be
furnished by the Brown Hoisting company
of Cleveland, O., for $151 900. The contract
calls for completing the extensive work at
Tortugas in $50 days and at Key West in
$50 days.
ORDERS ISSUED
Formal orders were issued today by Cap
tain Shoemaker, chief of the revenue cut
ter service, for the eight revenue cutters
called into the service of the navy rendez-
vous at the Norfolk navy yard. The in
structions given to commanders of the
Dhips were to report at Norfolk between
the 29tk of March and 5th of April. Some
difficulty is anticipated in getting the cut
ter Gresham out of the great lakes. She
Is too long to pass through the locks of the
canal, and it may be necessary for the
department to cut off the stern of the ves-
Bel in order to permit the passage of the
locks. Preparations are making for the
lighthouse tenders. now in service on the
Instructions were issued today
by the board to the commanders of the
tenders to make a complete inventory of
the present furnishings and equipment of
the vessels.
1t will be necessary, of course, that these
vessels be refitted to some extent, and
equipped with such light small caliber
guns as they are able to carry. The equip
ment of the vessels and other necessary
changes upon them will be done at the
Norfolk yards.
It is regarded as not unlikely that Com |