The herald., 1898-03-09
GOOD RESULTS
Seem to Follow the Action
of Congress
SITUATION IMPROVES
IN OPINION OF THOSE BEST
ABLE TO JUDGE
SPAIN'S PEACEFUL PURPOSE
Grows Much Stronger as the Capabil-
tiles and Temper Of America Are
Better Understood
SPAIN'S PEACEFUL PURPOSE
Associated Press Specia. Wire

| hooOCidtCu ITeSS 0pecldt WlE0
| WASHINGTON, March SIN spite of
numerous conferences of officials, of the
continuation Of the preparations now in
progress on large scale to put the
country in state of defense, of the out
burst of patriotic sentiment in congress,
there was a certain feeling apparent in
the best informed circles that the situa-
ton as to our relations with Spain was
today much more favorable than it was
yesterday. Perhaps the semi official
advices received through the Associated
Press from Madrid, indicating a peace
full purpose on the part Of the Spanish
government, contributed in large meas
ure to that feeling, or 1t may have been
that the growing knowledge Of the vast
extent of our own resources tended to
the belief that they would impress others
with the futility of attacking the United
States. However that may be, the feel
ing prevailed, and at the White House,
too, after the cabinet meeting, wherein
all Of the facts that were known to the
president as to the existing state Of af-
fairs were laid unreservedly before the
CdUiAct luculOGIS dlu ulSCuSStu.
BROwNsON's BUSINESS
While Captain Brownson is going
abroad for the government to learn of
the ships of war that are for sale and
their conditions, he will not necessarily
make any purchases. The officer left
Washington tonight and will take the
steamer to Southampton, sailing from
New York. He will report his arrival
Immediately at the United States en-
bassy in London, but further than that
the captain declines to indicate the
places he will visit in Europe. He has
been furnished all the information in the
possession of the navy department
respecting the shipping in course of con-
struction in Europe, and had talk to-
day with Mr.. Lane, who is said to have
some of these ships for sale, though
he does not at present have the right in
the case of the two small Brazilian bat
tleships now building at La Seine,
France. AS to these, or indeed any Bra
| lillian or Chilean warships, it has been
| discoveted that Brazil and Chile are
parties to treaty, by the terms of
which neither country can sell any of it's
warships unless the other also sells a
ship. The reason for this peculiar pro-
NioAoh 10 W Oc lOuHQ III tue dllldHCeS, OuI
Is reported to have been entered into by
these two countries for mutual protec-
ton against Argentina and other South
American nations. Captain Brownson
does not expect to stay abroad long,
and goes only on condition that he may
return Immediately in case of an open
rupture. AS to the right to buy foreign
warships, oil authorities agree that such
01Ir1hQ a ms ho do
tilities have begun If the neutral nation
exercises strict impartiality between the
belligerents and the ships are not armed
and QUILTED ready for service The
trade of shipbuilding Is recognized as a
legitimate one, which may be carried on
at all times.
ARMY AND NAVY
A good deal is being accomplished in the
way of preparation in both the navy and
war departments. The conference at the
navy department today looked into the
procurement of a suitable store of am
munition, coal and supplies, touched on
the question of dry docks, and generally
considered number of other matters con-
nected with the operations of warships.
The war department was not behind the |
navy. Gen. Flagler, chief of ordnance.
is very busy, reaching out in every direc-
tion, by means of the telegraph and the
mall to learn just how far the resources
OF the big private manufacturing concerns |
can be relied on to come to the aid of the |
war department In arming and equipping |
volunteer army, should one be found /
necessary. He will not tell what he is do
ing in this direction. holding it is not wise |
to make everybody acquainted with either |
our weak or our strong points. Major |
Gen. Miles is looking after the personnel
closely, and today was trying hard to per-
feet the organization of two new regiments
of artillery which congress has granted. |
The Officers must be named to congress,
and the commissions are only waiting on
the forms. Meanwhile, beyond the state
ment that the two senior lieutenant /
colonels of the existing artillery regiments
Will be made cOlonels of the two new reei-
ments, the names of the officers are with
held.
THE MAINE DISASTER
Three weeks ago tonight the Maine was
blown up. AS 1t was last week at this
time. SO 1t Is now-nothing is known Off
cially as to the cause of the disaster. The
court Is hard at work, but that is all that
is known at the navy department, It Is
not known when it may be expected to fin-
ish Its work. But the Importance of this
report does not diminish in the slightest |
degree by the lapse of time. and in the
midst of diversions caused by more re-
cent happenings the more thoughtful ofri-
Gals have not lost sight of the fact that
when the report of the court of inquiry
comes to the navy department, in the |
hands of some trusty naval officer, prob
ably Lieut. Commander Mark. Judge ad-
vocate OF the court of inquiry, they may be I
face to face with another and vital issue.
SPANISH DIPLOMATS
Senior du Bose called at the state depart
ment late In the day and had half an |
hours conference with Judge Day. He
brought no dispatches. and the talk did
not relate to the present strained condi-
tion Of affairs, but was rather an informal
discussion Of the condition Of affairs in
Cuba. In the course of the visit It is tn- |
derstood that Mr.. du Bose suggested that
some OF the newspapers correspondents at |
Havana were trespassing on the privileres
which the Havana authorities had &C.
corded them.
The new spanish minister. SENIOR Ber-
nabo, will arrive tn New York On I Ger I
man line ateapher tomorrow. He e e. |:
I|eotc4 g ~ leg1t 1tlo. 4h4 {ollotinG ~.