The record-union., 1898-04-29
Announcement That Portugal Will
Follow the Same Course.
Nothing Yet Heard as to Action to be
Taken by Germany and Austria,
Though the Latter's Delay
Causes Little Concern.


deavor is being put forward by the war
Department to organize the volunteer
army and increase the regular army TO
its full strength. Mastering rolls of the
companies of the volunteer army have
been prepared in the War Department
and sent to the officers who have been
detailed to formally induct the State
troops into the service of the National
Government With few notifications,
they are the same as those used IN
the late war. The question OF arms
and other equipments for the volunteers
is now receiving the attention OF the
ordnance office and the Quartermaster-
Generals Department. AS soon as IN
formation is received as to the exact
number of arms needed for the Yolun-
teers, they will be shipped to their State
rendezvous for distribution. The three
independent regiments of cavalry au-
thorized by the Volunteer Army Act,
and which are to be composed eXelu-
sively of frontiersmen, are to be known
as the First. Second and Third ReSi-
ments of United States Volunteer Cav
airy. They are to be composed OF
twelve trooos each.
The Navy Department has completely
ceased it's purchase of ships for con-
version into war vessels, owing to the
exhaustion of the $50, 000,0 600 war fund.
1t is confidently expected that Congress
will come to the relief as the depart
ment is still in need of auxiliary yes
sells.
The news of the safe arrival at Liver
pool of the big American sailing ship
Shenandoah was gladly received at the
department. Consul Boyle at Liverpool
forwarded the information.
The Port Royal dry dock, according
TO welcome official information, viii be
accessible to our war shios, even the
biggest in the fleet, should they meet
with accident during the campaign. The
report from the constructor in charge
shows that the entrance to the dock is
now dredged and clear. The work Of
dredging the basin is still in progress
and while this is not absolutely neces-
sary. it is extremely desirable in order
to insure the safety of the ships in dock
ing and the department is endeavoring
to hasten the contractors in their work.
They estimate that about fifteen days
more will suffice to complete it.
The Board of Bureau Chiefs met to-
day to begin the consideration of the
plans for the three new battleships au-
thorized by the naval appropriation bill,
and progressed so far that circulars VIII
be sent out tomorrow inviting bids
from the shipbuilders. The vessels VIII
be in the main very similar to the bat
tleship Illinois. now building at New
port News. They will be about 1900
tons displacement, 10 feet beam, 231a
feet depth, is knots speed. will be COW
cred with heavy armor and armed with
Is and 16-inch guns, in addition to num-
erous secondary batteries.
1t can be stated authoritatively that
there is no present prospect of a change
in the head of the Navigation Bureau.
The present efficient Chief, Captain
Crowninshield. though anxious to take
his place in the fighting line has yield
cd his personal ambitions to the urgent
demands of Secretary Long and the
President and will remain at his post.
He is in good health, Notwithstanding
the severe strain to which he has been
subjected
The French Embassy has received a
cable dispatch from the Foreign Office
at Paris announcing that a decree OF
neutrality between the United States
and Spain has been issued and that a
detailed copy will be forwarded by
mail. on the receipt of the dispatch
the French ambassador. Cambon
wrote to the State Department inform
ing them of Frances neutrality. The
cable notice is brief, stating only that
the decree follows the treaty Of PARIS
of 1856. The state Department has
also been Informed that Mexico Argen-
tine Republic. Corea and Belgium have
proclaimed neutralities. Corea's neu-
trality is considered important, owing
to her proximity to the Philippines.
The State Department has heard
nothing from Germany. but this causes
no apprehension, owing to the strong
assurances Germany has given that she
will observe the strictest neutrality be-