The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-03-19
DULL IN NAVY DEPARTMENT.
EVERYBODY WAITING FOR THE
REPORT OF THE COURT.

Carefully Considered by the Pres
ident and His Cabinet Before be-
ing Made PubIic-Nev Naval Policy
to Protect the Coal Ports.
Washington, March 1S.-An air of sus-
pense was noticeable in the navy depart
ment to-day, due to the approach of the
time for the delivery of the report of
the court of inquiry. 1t is not known just
when the document will come TO Wash
ington. All that is known definitely is
that the President has suggested 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 cabinet to-day talked over the mat
ter and the time stated was the general
opinion of the members when they had
heard all that Secretary Long had to re-
port on the subject.
There is an Impression that Lieutenant
Commander Mark will bring the docu-
ment, though 1t is within Admiral ST.
| cards power to choose any other officer.
! A cabinet officer expressed the belief that
| the report will require careful considera-
ton on the part of the President and his
cabinet before being given to the public,
which would seem to postpone publication
10 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 rendez-
vous at Hampton Roads was also discussed
at the cabinet meeting at length to-day
| and received unsnimous approval. In
fact, some surprise was expressed at the
delay on the part of the navy department
in taking some such step to ensure the
protection of the more valuable coal ports
along the North Atlantic, the gathering of
a uselessly surplus fleet at Key West be-
! ing regarded as in the nature of putting
all of our eggs in one basket.
| The San Francisco reported her arrival
| from Lisbon at Gravesend to-day. Under
his orders the commander will divide his
crew with the Amazonas and sail at the
earliest possible moment for the United
| States, conveying the new ship. Beyond
the Amazonas, her sister ship Abreuall,
and the Mayfiower, no purchases of
ships have been made by the navy depart
ment.
| A number of fleet steam yachts are be-
| ing offered to the department, and it is be-
lieved some of these will be purchased.
Secretary Long takes the view that falling
to secure torpedo boat destroyers 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 convinced that
| the Spanish government has not acquired
| possession of the Varez, the Italian armor-
ed cruiser. It would not however. be
| matter of deep concern if the report were
| true. The department itself had the YES
ton, but abandoned the idea upon
| learning that she could not be
made ready for service in less than
three or four month, which practically put
| her out of consideration 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 Nicaraguan canal
commission and then will be attached at
once to the North Atlantic squadron.
Some idea of the activity prevailing
! in naval circles Is given by the statement
| that the pay roll of the constructio de-
partment, only one of several departments
| in the Mare Island navy yard, for March.
was $4,000. This great expenditure per
month, il is said, was not equalled dur
| ing the late war.
| The amount paid for the Mayfiower was
| about 100000.
The recruiting is going on apace at all
| stations for the army and navy.
The Marblehead is at Tampa The little
Bancroft on her way across the ocean,
| reported by cable her arrival to-day at
Horta, Fayal She appears to be making
| about as good time as her larger consort,
| the Helena. The Samoset arrived at Key
| West to-day, as did the Montgomery
| while the Detroit sailed from that port for
| Tortugas.
The Machias has arrived at Boston,
where she will have slight repairs m2de.
No official notice of the stoppage of the
Spanish torpedo boat fotilla at the Cana
ry Islands and their turning back from
| that point has reached our government as
| yet so that any assumption that the
movements of that fiotllla have influenced
| the navy department to withdraw the
fleet at Key West is said to be purely
without basis of fact.
The navy department by no means has
suspended its efforts to obtain possession
| of desirable warships abroad, and In no
| direction is there visible any relaxation,
of the steadily pursued purpose of the
navy and war departments to provide for
the defense Of the country against hostile
! attack.
Senator Hawley Of Connecticut said to-
| day that 1t was the intention 10 get
| through Congress as speedily as possible
the three battalion military bills which
| was introduced at the suggestion of the
| department in both houses yesterday for
| strengthening the military arm Of the SER
| vice and providing for its increase TO
| 10000 men If necessary.
The report that the Vesuvius had been
| sighted early in the day coming through
| the Virginia capes headed for Washing
| ton, gave rise 10 the rumor that she was
| bringing the report of the naval board Of
inquiry to Washington. This however
| could not be confirmed from any of1clai
| source At the navy department Il was
admitted that the yesuvius was bound for
washington. but II was explained that she
was coming merely for repairs to her
armament, and IL was denied that she had
on board any member Of the naval board
or that she was carrying the report Of
that body.
The Vesuvius did not reach Washington
tonight, but IL was reported at the navy
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