Evening journal., 1898-02-23

that all necessary orders have already
been given and that the situation is
not one calling for immediate activity
at Washington.
49, Is,ss--.sss.Ss sss-..s $50 AZ -ss s -
cordance with orders made known some
time ago, are to move much farther
north TO West Indian waters, and at
Norfolk the monitor Terror has been
ordered to be in readiness and may be
sent TO New York later. The senate
passed a bill to add two artillery regi-
ments to the strength Of the army. This
measure has been urged for many
months by officials of the war depart
ment, who foresaw that. while congress
OF late years had taken measures for
the protection Of our coasts by consid-
cradle appropriations for defensive
works and great guns, it had not pro-
vided the men necessary to operate
these engines of war. Should the house
pass the bill It will enable the depart
ment TO carry out plans IL has long had
In view.
1t seems probable the bill win pass
the house without much opposition if II
is reported while the house is in its
present temper. The military affairs
committee, not the appropriation COM
mittee, has jurisdiction over this bill,
and Chairman Hill is now absent at his
home in Iowa. No opposition is likely
TO be encountered from the appropria-
tions committee. Chairman Cannon is
heartily in favor Of II, but he wants II
distinctly understood that his support
is in nowise based upon sentiment pro-
duced by the Maine disaster or any idea
that the situation is at all critical.
Il favor the bill," said he, because
/ believe the guns in the fortihcations
we are building should be manned"
Mr. Mcclellan of New York, who is ac-
lively advocating the passage Of the
measure and who is soliciting support
for IL among the members Of the house,
says the regiments provided for by the
bin would cost S430,0O0 the first year
and $4,000 when recruited to their fun
strength. It abolishes additional first
lieutenants says Mr.. Mcclellan, and
would do much to remove the present
stagnation in the line.
Legislative provision for the relief Of
the victims Of the Maine disaster occu-
pied the house committee on naval af-
fairs all day, a general measure being
agreed on late in the afternoon similar
Samoan disaster in 1889. The resolu-
tion viii be finally passed upon at aspe-
cial meeting of the committee and inn
mediately reported by Chairman Bou-
telle and its passage by the house ex-
pedited.
Though based on the precedent of the
Samoan bill approved Feb. 10, 1890, 1t
will ignore the differentiation then made
between the injured and the uninjured
survivors, and its terms are to be gem
eral instead Of citing individuals. Any
losses sustained by the survivors Will
be made good TO the extent of not eX-
ceeding 70 months pay, and provision
is TO be made for bringing the remains
back to this country at the discretion
Of the naval authorities The relief
funds are to be paid first TO the widow
or children of the victim, then 20 the
parents, or, II there are neither of these
relations, then TO the brother or sister
or other collateral relations. The pay
Of the deceased is to be continued to
these at least three months.
Criticisms lately passed upon the
state of the army and our fortfcations
have caused increased activity i'm mili-
tary matters, and TO some extent this
IS responsible for reports arriving from
various quarters of movements at army
posts A report was circulated that
General Miles. as commander Of the
army had issued additional orders for
troops at all forts to he on the alert and
J ready for immediate action, but this
was promptly denied by the generals
chief Of staff. Nothing whatever Of a
sensational character occurred in Wash
ington. and, on the whole, the day was
free of rumors by comparison with it's
immediate predecessors for the past
week or mare.