The record-union., 1898-03-23

cruiser class, while her torpedo arma-
ment gives her the effectiveness of
torpedo boat and cruiser combined It
was learned positively to-day, how
ever, that the Brazilian Government
would not part with the Tupes, and
this closes the negotiations.
IN a small measure this was offset by
the success of the navy in securing a
trim little YarroW built launch, which,
though small, will serve as a harbor
torpedo boat. Her speed is sixteen
knots or better. Her armament con-
sists Of two Hotchkiss 1-pound quick
fire guns and the torpedo tube. She
is of the same class Of craft as the
Moxito. built for the Brazilian navy
The price paid for her was less than
SO, 00O. with armament complete, de-
livered at New York Being so small,
she viii be shipped over on one of the
Atlantic liners. She has not taken on
the dignity of name.
MOVEMENTS OF WARSHIPS.
The Navy Department was notified
to-day of the arrival of the cruiser Gin
cinnai and the gunboats Castine and
Wilmington at Port Antonio, Jamaica.
This is about the same distance from
the south shore of Cuba as Key West
is from the north shore. The gunboat
Marietta announced her arrival at
Panama. The Marblehead has gone
from Port Tampa to Dry Tortugas.
The officials state there is q mistake
in the Key West dispatch saying that
the Massachusetts as well as the Texas
passed out yesterday for Hampton
Roads. Only the Texas has made this
move. although the Massachusetts may
follow later
CAPTAIN BARKER.
Captain Barker, Naval Aide to the
Secretary of the Navy, returned to his
desk at the Navy Department to-day,
after a few days absence He went to
Key West on a secret mission, the ex-
act nature of which has not been dis
closed Inasmuch as he conferred at
length with Rear-Admiral Scard and
with Captain Sampson, President of
the naval court of inquiry, there APP
pears to be good reason for the infer
ence that his business related to the
Maine affair and it's possible conse-
quence. Secretary Long is authority
for the statement that Captain Barker
was not sent to Key West to get the
report of the naval court, and did not
bring il back with him.
RECRUITS FOR THE NAVY.
One of the most active branches of
the Navy Department just now is that
engaged in the enlistment of recruits
for various positions in the service.
Notice was given by advertisement
that recruiting stations would be
opened at a number of cities, mostly
on the coast. To-day, in response to
representations that have come to
hand. the Enlistment Bureau gave no.
tice that a board of officers would be
detailed to visit various cities in the
vicinity of the Great Lakes, where it
is said there are a number of persons
who would be willing to enter the
service Most of them are Scandina-
vians, who have been at sea in their
native countries.
The board will consist of Lieutenant
Simon Cook Surgeon w. A. McClurg
and an engineer officer and boat
swain, who have not yet been named
They will visit st. Paul, Duluth, Mil
waukee and Chicago.
Word comes to the department that
the Recruiting Board which has been
at work at New Orleans has accom-
plished good results. Fifty men were
enlisted at that place and they are to
be shipped promptly to New York.
From New Orleans the board goes to
Galveston to continue it's work The
qualifications requisite for enlistment
are unusually severe, which accounts
for the limited number of men so far
recruited, although some notifications
are made in the cases of sailors who
have heretofore been in the service.
NAVAL ORDERS.
To-day's naval orders were as fol-
lows: Lieutenant J. j. Blandin, for
merly of the Maine, has been ordered
to Washington for examination for
promotion and then wait orders: Lieu
tenant G.. T. w. Holman, also of the
Maine, has been ordered to duty at the
Newport torpedo station; Lieutenant
f. F. Fletcher has been detached from
the torpedo station and ordered to the
Bureau of Ordnance, Washington.