The Coalville times. [volume] (Coalville, Utah) 1894-1923, 1898-03-11
wARLmr PREPARATIONS.
GovsTnmsnt securing the Word for War
ship--Unpreccdented Activity.

Washington, March h-lhut this
government 81 nearing crisis in Ia
relations with Spain which may EN-.
broil the two nations 10 actual war
within % short time Is apparent Tn
prcccdented preparations for war,
both Offensive aud defensive are being
made. an army ~ men working night
and day. Leading men q oil parties
are being called into consultation with
the president and cabinet, aud public
feeling being accurately guaged. Tho
fact that an appropriation Of $50 ,0O0..
900 PASSED the house without a dissent
Ing vote for war supplies, when for
months all appropriations have been
scaled aud the smallest appropriation
scrutinized and pared down TO the
limit. is In itself more suggestive than
anything which has preceded H. tits
conceded that the report of the naval
board investigating the Maine disas.
ter may forestnl war aud the country
will not BE- unprcpnred.
There was very strong suggestion
Of the state ~ affairs that might exist
In time of actual war Ia the busy
scenes presented % the navy and war
departments There was an almost
unbrokcn succession n conferences be.
tween officers aud officials Of various
degrees, aud throughout both these
branches Of the war establishment the
greatest activity was exhibited.
Secretary Long before 10 o'clock
had been Obliged to retire 10 his pri.
vate Office and deny himself 10 all
callers, In order 10 hold conference.
senator Lodge was present, as we'll
~ Chairman Hale Of the senate naval
committees Chairman lioutcllc Of
the house naval committees Cap.
tain bradford, chief Of the equip.
mcnt bureau; Captain lirownson and
Assistant Secretly Rooscvclti chief
Constructor llitchhorn aud Admiral
Matthew'S. chief Of The bureau yards
aud docks. were also called 10 the con.
ference by the secretary, 10 deal with
/ special phases of the question under
consideration The conference had 10
do with preparations Tor putting the
navy at the highest stat, OF efficiency.
Secretary Long found time during
the progress Of tho conference To talk
a moment with Mr Lane, who has sub.
mitted 10 the department proposals
for the sale Of certain warshlpr now
building In Europe at private ship.
yards. What passed between them o.
not known, but Mr. Lane haatencd
Immediately TO the cable Office al the
conclusion oi' the convsrsation 10 COM
municatc directly with his principals
In Europe. -
That aaai, q Alnr crisis Is
believed. and "a ~ ty 80. -,
that Commander P'nson, q ~ sies
I officer. has been 'eleeicd 10 10 Ia Eu
rope TO examine wnr,hlps which arr
building there aud which may be- fol
sale. lie viii view Marshal Florlni
aud Marshal de ordors, building fol
Brazil, which Il Ia understood the gov
eminent hn, been inportuncd to buy
la addition 10 European boats, Japar
has two now building la the Unite,
States. one boy Cramps at philadoi
phla, tn other at the Union lror
Works nt San Francisco, which can b.
completed Ia ninety days Overture
looking 10 thcir requirement by IA,
government have been made Ia cas-,
OF actual war, should Japan refuse I,
sell, the night Of eminent domain
would permit the United states b,
take the two cruisers without refer
cncc 10 Japan's rights. This contin
I gcucy has also been discussed. which
Il but straw showing the state %
I feeling ln official circles aud the thor
ough manner la which preparation
for defensive. u not aggressive action
arc being nude