The Portland daily press., 1898-03-19

possible, is that the navy must be REIN
forced by number of torpedo destroyers
and torpedo boats.
One distinguished naval officer ex
pressed the opinion today that two tor
nedo boat destroyers might annihilete
the most formidable battleship in the
world, if they..stood ready to run the risk
of being sunk themselves.
CORN MEAL FOR STARVING.
Havana, March 1s-Circulars have
been sent to the Alcades of about two
hundred towns in Cuba notifying them
of the new methods of relief, and also
setting forth that corn meal, amounting
TO one pound per day per capita will be
the first supply sent. The circulars ask
that the Alcades themselves or in con-
junction with the proper officers or con-
suls see that the relief is properly dis
tributed.
Visitors to the Colon cemetery find the
graves of the dead of the Maine decorated
with many flowers, while from the CEN
tral place of sepulohre was long stream
er of red and yellow, with an inscription
showing that the decorations and flowers
were placed there by the Austrian sailors
of the warsnip Donau: "In memory of
our unfortunate fellow sailors of the
United States S. S. Maine
THE MACHIAS IN BOSTON.
Boston, March 1s.-The United States
gunboat Machias, Commander j. f.
Merry passed by the Hull Signal station
at o'clock this morning and dropped
anchor off the navy yard an hour later
The Macbias came here from Norfolk,
Va, to undergo repairs. as in the rush
of work at the Norfolk yard it was found
impossible to overhaul her. The Machias
but recently returned from the China
station.
WHY FLEET WAS STOPPED.
Madrid, March Is.-The Impartial today
says: "The instructions sent to the
torpedo flotilla to remain at Canary ISL
ands are due to the governments desire
that the squadron should be escorted to
Cuba by cruiser, and for no other rea-
son."
WEYLER DENIES 1T.
Madrid, March 1s-Gen. Weyler denies
the authenticity of the letter published in
the New York Journal yesterday, in
which the former captain general of
Cuba, is alleged to have said that the
United States would not have dared to
Ssend aswarrant to Havana while he was
in command.
WORK AT NAVY YARD.
New York, March 1S.-A change has
been made at the Brooklyn navy yard
in the plans for preparing the cruiser
Chicago for sea. Several mounts for
the fYe-inch guns have been hoisted
aboard during the week, but have now
been put back On the dock. 1t is said
thatthe mounts are being held for possia
BILE use on the auxiliary cruisers.
The Dolphin is slated to go into COM
mission next Thursday. Commander
Lyons is now selecting the rapid-fre
guns for his vessel. Admiral Bunce
today appointed a board of officers to
make survey of the Mayfowsr and re-
port as to what changes shall be made
and also to what armament she oan
best carry. The report will be present.
ed tomorrow and the work Of converting
the pleasure craft into warship will
begin at once.
The board examined the Mayfower this
morning. An officer at the yard said that
1t would take not more than 30 days to
make the Mayhower ready for sea.
ISSUE WILL BE WITHDRAWN.
Washington, March 18.-At the req uest
of Secretary Long the issue as to the en-
actment into law of the naval personnel
will not be precipitated until the naval
appropriation bill is paased by the House.
This change of views of the administrs-
sion was communicated to the House
committee on naval affairs by Assistant
Secretary Of the Navy Roosevelt, who ap-
peared before the committee at the re-
dnest of Secretary Long. The reason for
ieferlng the personnel is that its adop-
tion as rider on the appropriation bill
time.