The record-union., 1898-04-01

loI Hall al HOUF, MI. GOflGT, the
Presidents Secretary, appeared with
the announcement from Secretary Day
that it was impossible to translate the
message in time to give out any state
ment tonight.
The telegraph instrument was still
clicking when the correspondents filed
out, indicating that the message was
at least quite lengthy.
WAR PREPARATIONS
WASHINGTON, March 31.-Appar-
rently there was no cessation to-day
Of the extraordinary activity which has
prevailed at the Navy Department dur
ing the past month. Now that many
of the emergency preparations are well
under way, more attention is to be
paid to the broader question of a plan
Under this head comes the establish
ment of a depot to be used as a base
Of supplies, and on this matter the
commercial interests of the country are
making themselves heard. Senator
McEnery and Representatives Meyer,
Ogden and Davey Of Louisiana called
upon Secretary Long to-day and sup
plemented the representations of mer-
chants who were here last week urging
the selection of New Orleans ss base
Of supplies. They said the city, being
.-;4.,..o7 .o,,,o 7;r+orca from tho C11f
was reasonably safe from attack by a
fleet and being a railroad center and
situated on the Mississippi river, grain
and other supplies gould be shipped
there in great abundance. The Secre-
tary did not commit himself.
The delegation also spoke to the
Secretary in regard to the defense OF
the city of New Orleans, but the Secre-
tary expressed the opinion that with
a formidable fleet in the Gulf and such
fortifications as are already in exist
ence. the city was well protected.
THE VESUVIUS.
The work of overhauling the dyna-
mite cruiser Vesuvius, completing
the work on her guns and fitting her
up for active service, is almost fin
ished and she probably will be ordered
to leave. the Washington Navy Yard
within the next two days. 1t is
thought she will go first to Norfolk and
then proceed to Southern waters.
The men are giving her coat of
black paint, preparatory to painting
her a dark green. The officers say
that it is almost impossible to discover
a vessel at night when painted with
this color, even by means of a search
light
One of the officers said, discussing
the possibilities of hostilities:
There is one satisfaction about be-
ing aboard a ship like this. In case We
are struck right there will be no board
of inquiry and no trouble about divers,
etc, for there will not be piece OF
the boat left big enough for a SOU
venir A boat of this style either does
fearful damage to her enemies or goes
under in such order herself. Modern
war will, in my opinion, be quick work
anyhow, and we represent the very
quickest type of death dealing vessel
afioat."
The work on the cannon now in prog
ress of completion at the navy yard is
being pushed with all the haste pos
sible. Upwards of $50 men have been
added to the force employed in ordi-
nary times.
TRANSFERRING OF YACHTS INTO
WAR VESSELS.
The work incident to the transf0rma-
tion of the yachts and tugs recently pur-
chased for the Navy Department so as to
make them practicable for naval pur-
poses is well under way. The alterations
and changes necessary are being rushed
with all possible speed and orders have
been issued to employ a sufficient num-
that no time will be lost. In the tugs
particularly there are numerous changes
necessary for the comfort of the men
who will man them. The yachts, on the
other hand, are in better shape, and less
work will be required than on the tugs.
They will be given a belt of armor as d
means of protection for portions which
are most vulnerable to the enemy $
fire. So far the Department has pur-
chased five yachts and eight tugs fol
the auxiliary navy.
CONGRATULATIONS FOR SIGSBEE.
Sir Julian Pauncefote. the British
ambassador, called on Assistant Secre-
tary Roosevelt at the Navy Department
this afternoon and left his card for Cap
tain Sigsbee, congratulating that officer
Upon his escape and bearing throughout
his recent thrilling experience in the
h ~bor OF Havana
MOVEMENTS OF WARSHIPS.
There was nothing specially signif
cant in the movement of naval vessels
reported to the Navy Department to-
day The gun-boat Wilmington arrived
at Jacksonville yesterday, on her way to
New York, for repairs The torpedo boat
Somers, purchased in Germany, arrived
at Pillau yesterday on her way to the
United States. The gun boat Wheeling
has left Port Angeles for Seattle. The
cruiser Columbia and the revenue cutter
Morrill, arrived at Norfolk to-day The
Columbia is attached to the flying
squadron and is in complete readiness
for any service it may be called upon to
perform. Her sister ship, the Mime
apolis, now fitting out at League Island