The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1898-03-19
INVESTIGATORS REPORT
Expected in Washington Some Time
Next Week. ,z,..,,.
EEw NAVAL POLICY APPROVED.

plaud Secretary Longs Plan For
Coast Defense-Cubaus Are Willing
to Pay Indemnity to Spain.
Washington, March 19.-An air of
suspense is noticeable in the navy de-
partment, 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
Washington, and of course. in view Of
the reports of the determination of out
side parties to obtain possession of 1t
before the department receives the re-
port the officials, If they know. will
not say how the papers are to be
brought to Washington. All that is
known definitely Is that the president
has suggested that the report be made
as soon as possible, and in consequence
II is expected to reach this city In the
course Of two or three days. The caS-
&net yesterday talked over the matter
and the time stated was the general
opinion Of the members when they had
heard all that Secretary Long had to
report on the subject.
There is an impression that Lieuten-
ant Commander Mark will bring the
document, though 1t is within Admiral
Eicard's power to choose any other offs
Ger. A cabinet officer expressed the
belief that the report will require care
full consideration on the part of the
president and his cabinet before given
to the public, which would seem to
postpone publication to some time
about the middle of next week, al
though nothing Is certain on that point.
The new naval policy embodied in
the creation of another squadron to
rendezvous at Hampton Roads was
also discussed at the cabinet meeting
at length, and received unanimous ap-
proval. In fact some surprise was ex-
pressed at the delay on the part of the
navy department In taking some such
step to ensure the protection Of the
more valuable coast ports along the
North Atlantic, the gathering of a
uselessy surplus fleet at Key West
being regarded in the nature Of put
ting all of our eggs In one basket.
The San Francisco reported her ar
rival from Lisbon at Gravesend yester-
day. Under his orders the commander
will divide his crew with the Amazonas
and sail at the earliest possible mo-
ment for the United States conveying
the new ship. The Amazonas was for
mally transferred to Lieutenant Com
mander Colwell yesterday at Graves
end by Commander Cores. the Brazil
Ian officer The flag of Brazil was taken
down and the Stars and Stripes run
up to the masthead with simple cere-
mony.
Beyond the Amazonas, her sister
ship, Abreuall and the yacht May
flower, no purchanse of ships have
been made by the navy department.
A number of fleet steam yachts owned
In the United States are being offered
to the department. and it is probable
that some of these will be purchased.
Secretary Long takes the view that
failing to secure the torpedo boat de-
stroyers he wants the best plan is for
him to equip some Of these speedy
boats with torpedo tubes and light bat
teries and improvise torpedo boats.
The navy department Is convinced
that the Spanish government has not
acquired possession Of the Varsee, the
italian armored cruiser. 1t would not.
however be a matter Of deep concern
II the report were true. The depart
ment itself had the vessel in mind as
= possible acquisition. but abandoned
the idea upon learning that she could
not be made ready for service in less
than three OF four months, which
practically put her out of considera-
tion us an emergency purchase.
Some idea Of the activity prevailing
In naval circles Is given by the state-
mcnt that the payroll of the construc-
tion department. only one of several
departments In the Mare Island navy
yard. for March was $4,000. This great
expenditure per month, 1t Is said. was
not equaled during the late war.
1t Is said to be the purpose Of the
president and his advisers to keep al
separate and distinct account Of oil
funds expended from the 10000. 900
emergency appropriation made by con-
gress for the national defense. In ac=l
cordance with this Intention q separate
form of requisition has been prepared
and all amounts allotted from the fund
arc made upon the direct order signed
paid for the yacht Mayfower was
about $780, 600.
The ordnance bureau Of the war de-
partmen. yesterday awarded contracts
for d large nunf1er Of steel armor
piercing and deck pisrcing projectiles
for the coast fortif,cations guns. There
were seversl bidders. but instead CT
giving the contract to one concern the |
bureau divided the contracts, 30 that
supplies will be coming fren, several
quarters ut the same time. !
The house committee on ways and
means favorably reported yesterday
with amendments, the Dingley bill for |
the temporary admission free of duty |
naval supplies purchased abroad. The
bill is amended so us to include mill |
tary as we'll as naval supplies.
Recruiting is going on apace at all |
stations for the Ermy and navy. The |
Michigan, at Erie Pa, has enlisted So
Insn so far, and good reports come from |
oil quarters. The Columbia and the
ars still 2Io men each short.
apvsnty thousand men lie the number
ef Spanish soldisss who have been kill