The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-04-18

Washington, April To-day was
exceptionally quiet in official circles,
and on the surface, at least, there
were no new developments in the Span
ish situation. The reports of yester-
days action by the senate were an
absorbing subject of discussion and
the probability of what the house will
do was uppermost in everyone's mind.
For the first time in several weeks
the president was able to devote Sun
day almost entirely to his family and
to resume his church-going, which
had been interrupted by the important
Sunday conferences with the members
OF the cabinet. In company with Mrs.
Mckinley and some friends the presi-
dent this afternoon went for a long
drive, thoroughly enjoying the coun-
try scenery which. because of the ad-
vance Of springlike weather, has be
gun TO put on its summer dress.
Assistant Secretary Day was at the
White House for a short time in the
morning and saw the president. Vice
president Hobart and Postmaster
General Gary also called while the
president was at church.
WAR AND NAVY.
In the war and navy departments
there was also lacking that evidence
OF activity and rush which has char
acterlzed them for so many Sundays
past In the war department Adjutant
General Corbin was at his desk for a
short time in the morning. He said
there had been no changes in the de-
tails for the mobilization of troops an
noCnced some days ago, nor any i'm
portant assignments of officers. The
PROPOSALS from railroads for
porting the troops from the various
places where they are now located, will
be opened tomorrow, and the expecta-
ton is that the soldiers in many in
stances will begin their journey south
on the same day.
COMMANDER BROwNSON.
Assistant Secretary Roosevelt was at
the navy department for some time
during the morning transacting mat
tiers requiring his attention. He had a
visit with Commander Willard H
Brownson, who has just returned to
the United States from his visit
abroad, where he was sent to purchase
me2-of-war and munitions for the use
of the United States navy. The COM
nander is looking well, bronzed, and
says he had an enjoyable trip, having
spent practically all his time in Italy,
France and England. He made num-
Der of recommendations and reports TO
Secretary Long during his inspections
abroad and will submit the final one
to the secretary tomorrow. He asked
TO be excused from discussing the re-
suits of his trip pending his report to
the secretary.
HOSPITALITY AND SYMPATHY.
Commander Brownson during his
visit, was able to gauge the feeling !
which the European nations have for /
this country in its issue with Spain |
Concerning the Englishmen he re- |
marked that their sympathy is for US
and they are with US to a man. a |
great many Frenchmen sided with /
Spain, although the commander said |
his observations regarding them were
based on reports only. Italy, being |
one of the Latin countries. there is an !
element which sympathizes with Spain. /
although many of the commercial |
classes, realizing that much of the
trade of the peninsula is with the
United States. look upon our conten-
ton with favor.
FEW WARSHIPS ON MARKET.
Commander Brownson says that
owing to the uncertain state of af-
fairs in Europe, growing out of the
eastern question, in which most of the
great nations are interested, very few
really satisfactory warships are to be
found on the market, while in six
months from now, when possibly no
one viii want to purchase any, no
doubt some viii be available. Unfin-
;shed ships and those of inferior
quality were to be obtained if desired,
bot the government preferred not to
purcha - vessels Of that kind.
The commander viii leave the city
tomorrow for New York where he is
TO assume command of the Yankee, to
which he has been assigned.