Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-03-15
IN CABINET SESSION
Military Preparations of the Depart
ments Discussed.
BIDS FOR TRANSPORTATION OPENED
First Meeting of the FortifIcations
Board.
FOR TRANSPORTATION OPENED
1NVESTIG ALTON POSTPONED

a report from the Maine court of inquiry
later in the week.
Bids were opened for the transportation
of artillery batteries to the coast defenses
The fortifications board began a series of
secret sessions.
An attempt was made in the House to
take up the bill for the relief nf the Maine
sufferers, but objection was made.
The Senate naval affairs committee de-
cided to postpone the proposed investiga-
ton of the Maine disaster
Reports from Havana indicate that the
report of the court of inquiry will be ready
in two or three days.
Pope Leo uses his good offices to prevent
war with Spain.
San Francisco sails from Lisbon
The cabinet today devoted it's session to
a discussion of the details of the work be-
ing done in the Navy and War Depart
rnents. 1t was said that the actual work
Of the meeting could have been accom-
plished in twenty minutes. but that the
officials were deeply interested that
they remained two hours listening to the
President and other members. A number
of kilograms to negotiations going on
in this country and abroad were read and
commented on.
1t is admitted that the government is still
in search of good ships and will take all
it can get that are worth being paid for.
The purchase Of the Brazilian cruisers has
not satisfied the President that the coun-
try is sufficiently supplied with good fight
ing machines. and he will sanction the pur-
chase of others if they are well recon-
nended.
Numerous details of contracts made and
about TO be made for war material of all
kinds We're submitted and talked over.
In connection with the discussion on TIE
general preparations, Secretary Long sub
mitted the offers of sale of various vessels
which might be turned into auxiliary cruis
ers in case of war. There are many Offers
of this kind They require consideration
and sitting. The most of this work will
Long, but advice and suggestions are wei
come from all cabinet officials.
Report of the Court of Inquiry.
The cabinet was not given any informa-
tion as to when the court of inquiry will
make its report. Secretary Long is still of
the opinion il is said, that the report will
be forthcoming the last of this week. Moth
ing was discussed a. TO how the report will
be made public when it does come. The be
lief is expressed in some circles that it will
be first made public by being sent to Con-
gress by the President. There is general
fear in official circles that enterprising
newspapers may obtain the substance of
the report ahead of the administration
They don't know how this could be DONE
however, and will do all in their power to
guard against such an occurrence.
The President said nothing today, it is
claimed, 10 indicate his intentions in fu-
ture dealings with Spain He enters with
d great deal of interest into the discus
sion of the preparations making with MEM
bers of the cabinet, but he carefully re-
Trains from saying anything which would
indicate the bent OF his mind. In fact he
gives his confidence on this subject to few
persons. and reports to what the Presi-
dent has said to callers are generally the
work of vivid imaginations.
The meeting of the cabinet at an earlier
hour than usual today had the effect to
largely suspend active operations in the
War and Navy Departments during the
forenoon. 1t was Lot long. however after
the meeting begar. before some OF the bu-
reau officers Of the Navy Department were
10 supply information on technical points
showing that the cabinet was more or les,
concerned in the situation.
Fortihcations Board In Session.
The Notifications board began its sessions
today in the War Department The pro-
ceedings are guarded zealously against
Publication.
Lieut.. Very. the preventative of the
Howell Torpedo Company, has submitted
to the War Department proposition to
supplement the defeLses of the larger coas,
ports. such as New York and Boston, by
equipping a number of Iight-draught steam
launches with torpedo outfits He urges
that By the full use OF this means of de-
ferse the harbors may be kept open for
commerce uD to the last moment. which
would not be the case We're sole reliance
placed on the ordinary fixed mine and tor
pedO. These torpedos have a range of
about two miles. and start off at Il speed
o. tElrty knots, and if the boats from
which they are discharged are properly
sheltered, as proposed by Lieut.. Very they
would undoubtedly be valuable adjuncts to
the coast defense The difficulty, however
Is that the army has heretofore regarded
auto-Mobile torpedoes as proper lnstru
nents for naval use. and are scarcely dis
posed to change their policies at this date.
Ability T." supply Rifles.
representative of the Winchester Arms
Company was in conference today with
General Miles and General Flagler at the
office OF the bureau OF ordnance Of the
army, with a view 10 examining various
patterns of rifles made by this concern, and
OF ascertaining how speedily they could be
furnished in large quantities in case Of
emergency Samples Of two of the latest
patterns of 3O-caliber rifles. one a Winches-
ter and the other a Lee straight-pull gum
were examined. No contracts were made
but the conference led to a full understand
ing as to how speedily an urgent demand
for rifles could be met. The representa-
tive of the Winchester company stated that
the present commercial demand, partieu-
larly that connected with the KIondike AZ