The record-union., 1898-04-03
the CRISIS
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was hampered by other restrictions.
But in reaching the matter Of cause,
the Senate commission has considerably
greater latitude. Captain Sigsbee has
already appeared before the committee
and has given his testimony in detail
TO show the minuteness of the Sem
ate inquiry, the fact may be cited that
the Senate to-day took steps to ascer-
tain whether the electric lights
throughout Havana We're extinguished
simultaneously with the explosion. The
Senate learned that the extinguishment
of the lights actually occurred. What
bearing this had upon the cause of the
explosion is not apparent. 1t may be
that the terrific shock caused an cleo
trio disturbance, disabling the electric
plant in Havana, or that some inferen-
tial deductions may be made as to the
electric connections with submarine
mine.
NAVAL ORDERS.
The naval orders to-day were the
longest the Secretary has issued in
many months, there being forty-five
distinct assignments. OF these thirty
We're of naval calets of the first class
from the academy at Annapolis and as
graduate on Monday next AS a rule
the time of graduation is three months
later than this. Their diplomas were
given them to-day without the custom
airy final examination.
The Secretary of the Navy issued an
order to-day closing the Washington
navy-yard to visitors. This order takes
effect tomorrow, and will continue as
l..
order was based on the recommended
ton of the commandant of the navy
yard, who said that the number of Wis
itors has become so large of late as to
interfere with the prosecution of the
important work in progress.
THE MARIETTA AND OREGON.
The Navy Department has been in
formed of the departure of the gunboat
Marietta from Calloa, Peru, to Val
paraiso, Chile. Although the officials
will not say so. it is generally under
stood that this vessel has been detached
from duty on the Pacific Coast station
and ordered to join the fleet at Key
West with as little delay as possible.
Similar orders will be given to the COM
mander of the battIeship Oregon.
The old-fashiOned steamer Standish,
attached to the Naval Academy, having
accomplished the business which
brought her here, left last evening for
Annapolis. She brought a cargo of old
guns which had been stored away at
the academy and were somewhat out of
repair. They will be put into as good
condition as possible at the Washington
gun factory and sent to points where
they can do the most good
ELKS ARE LOYAL
Assistant Secretary Meiklejohn of
the War Department received a tele-
gram to-day from J. D. Dewar, Secre-
tary of the Omaha Lodge of Elks. No.
30, saying that that organization had
unanimously adopted resolutions that
''all Elks will be found loyal to home
and country" to which end they
pledged their lives and sacred honor"
AS neither branch of Congress was
in session, a great number of the mem
bers of both houses called at the State
War and Navy Departments.
A committee, consisting of Messrs
Hanna, Chandler and Plat of Connec-
ticut, were in consultation with Assist
ant Secretary Roosevelt probably an
hour, discussing questions pertaining to
the vessels provided for in the naval
appropriation bill
The conference between the Assistant
Secretary and the Senators followed
Immediately the meeting of the STRAIT
egic Board which consists of Roose-
Welt, Captain Crowninshield and Cap
tain Glover.
CENTRAL BASE OF OPERATIONS.
During the morning there was
meeting of the Joint Board of Army
and Navy on the plan of defense. This
beard consists of Captain Barker of the
navy and Colonel Wagner of the army.
They are considering the questions of
the most desirable point in the South
to be used as g central base of opera
ton in case of hostilities. While they
were in session they were furnished
statement showing the total strength
of the Spanish navy including a de-
scription of each ship. The question
the board is now considering was two
years ago the subject of Investigation
by the War Department. and the ques-
ton of the practicability of Mobile or
Tampa as a basis of supplies for the
army concentrated in the South was
then renewed
TRANSPORTATION OF TROOPS.
General Miles is of the opinion that,
100000 men can be transported to any
of the Gulf or Atlantic coasts in the
South within forty-eight hours after
the call to arms. That this can be
done was demonstrated by the feat per-
formed by the railroads during a re-
cent big celebration in Washington.
when 100000 men were brought to the
city and taken out again inside of TWEEN
ty-four hours
Among Secretary Ayers callers were
Senators Cullom, Pasco. Platt and Rep
resentatives Hull and Dingley. Short
~ after u O'Clock the Secretary left
for the White House. where he had
some business to transact with the
President During the morning he also
saw a number of chiefs of the depart
ment and General Miles.
The sec. $50 allotted to the Quarter
master General emergency fund is for
the purpose of meeting any expenses
incident to the shipment OF troops
stores. guns and other munitions Of war
that cannot be made in an annual APP
preparation.
ELECTRIC CONNECTION OF POSTS
AND FORTS.
Greedy, Chief of the Signal Office.
reports that the work incident to the
connection by electricity of the posts
and forts comprising the defenses at
the sea coast cities is we'll started
Probably within ten days the connec-
lions will be made at New York City
and within a few weeks at all the
other places where it is proposed to
introduce this method of conlmunica-
ton. The range finders and other APP
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