Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1898-03-06


lily from Congress
TO PURCHASE WARSHIPS.
mere is no law which permits a larger
exercise in times of emergency than
at other times. 1t is understood, how
ever, that the naval authorities feel
mat such emergency measures as
might be required would have the sub
sequent approval of Congress. A prec-
edent Is cited as to the purchase of a
naval vessel in a time of emergency
without the consent of Congress
While Secretary Chandler was at
the head of the navy department. in
formation reached here that the Greedy
Arctic expedition was in perilous
condition and that relief was impera-
tive without a days delay, and it is
now matter of history that if the re-
lief party had been "a hours later in
reaching Greedy and his men the latter
would have succumbed from starva-
ton. None of the naval ships at the
time were available. The Bear was Of
fered for sale, however and Secretary
Chandler closed the contract for it's
purchase, stating at the time that if
Congress failed 10 ratify the purchase
and make the appropriation necessary
for the purchase price, he would hold
himself personally responsible to the
contractors. The Bear was successful
IN its relief mission and Congress
promptly ratified Mr. Chambers course
by appropriating for the ship. She is
now IN the government service as a
revenue cutter on duty in Alaskan
waters. 1t is said that the same course
OF procedure would be followed in case
o. emergency at the present time.
Senior DuBosc, the Spanish Charge
called at the State Department this
morning and had a short talk with
Judge Day concerning recent filibus-
tering movements. The department
desired to get fuller information than
had thus far been furnished.
1t is understood that SPANS pur-
chase OF warships and other subjects
which have attracted much interest
within the last few days were in no
way referred to, as Mir. DuBosc has
received no information on these sub
Jects and they are not open to diplo-
matte negotiations.
The departure of Cen Wilson, chief
of engineers of the War Department,
for the South, it is now admitted is
for the purpose of inspecting fortif-
cations and river and harbor improve
ments. He has not been on such
tour in the direction he has taken
since his appointment to his present
office. His trip may extend to Dry
Tortugus in the Gulf of Mexico.
There is promise of a new and I'M
welcome development of the Maine af-
fair that in the end may lead up to an
issue between the government of the
United States and the State of Florida,
if the officials of the State endorse the
stand taken by the local officials at
Key West. The latter have notified
Admiral Sicard that on the first of
next month they propose to enfore the
State quarantine law against all craft
arriving from Cuba as a measure of
prevention against the Introduction of
yellow fever. The notice indicates
that the law will be applied to the
vessels, and in view Of the serious in
terruptions such interference with the
free movements of his ships would
cause Admiral Sicard has reported the
facts to the Navy Department and
awaits instructions. The department
officials cannot tolerate with equinan-
unity the stoppage of such craft as the
Mangrove and the Fern on their err
rands of mercy. nor delays that may
result in the prosecution of the work
of the wreckers engaged on the
Names hull and in the work of the
court of inquiry.
The President himself probably will
communicate with the Governor OF
Florida with a view of securing all
abatement Of the law SO far as 1t Is
proposed to apply it to naval vessels,
this being the speediest manner oL
dealing with the case, although It
may be stated that the national gov
eminent never has recognized the right
of any local authorities to stop its
vessels in case their movements were
deemed necessary. The warships have
voluntarily submitted to quarantine
when returning from any port sus-
pected of Infection but this is asserted
to be merely a concession and not the
recognition of any lawful right on the
part of State authorities. In view of
the fact that the officers on our war
ships. with the aid Of capable sur
geons on each ship, make it their pride
to keep their craft in the
MOST HEALTHFUL CONDITION,
naval officers feel that they may be
safely left to run their ships between
Havana and Key West without restric-
tion AS an evidence of the care exer-
cised TO avoid carrying contaglon, the
officials point to the fact that without
superstition from any of the health au'
tborities of Florida. Admiral Sicard
caused the wounded survivors of the
Maine disaster TO be detained for sew
eral DAYS at Tortugas before allowing
them to go to Key west
II is asserted positively at ire State
Denartment that there has been no
change in the plans for sending he
Montgomery and Nashville to the east
an Cnban norts with relief supplies tor
the reconcentradoes.
Il mad beeu suggested that the offer OF
,,,aochant steamer from New York to
take some Of these goods to Cuba would
relieve HE naval vessels from the per-
for,,,arce of this onerous task. but the
1,eolar tion of the State Department m
s,,ras tbe execution Of the original pro-
,, and the ships named will sail for
Matanzas and Saguayla Grahae as soon
a. me goods arrive at Key West from
Naw York Reports that have come to
- stare Department from these places
sbaQ terrible destitut1on exists probably
nonhara exceeded on the island, and the
officers of the Montg omery saw tor them
sao,as an their recent stop at Matanzas
The extent OF the misery It IS said oy
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