The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-04-03
THE NAVY DEPARTMENT.
Chiefs kept Busy Holding Confer.
enccs With Officials.
NEGOTIATING FOR SMALL VESSELS,
Urgent Need of Coiiicrs-Tb,r,x -,
the Naval Cadets Mt Annapolis.
Assigned TO ships.

washington, April constant nova
ment OF the officials. numberless confer.
ences and large congressional contin.
gent mat was on hand made today a bus,
one at the navy department. secretar,
Long and Assistant Secretary Roosevelt
were kept busy in conference with the
cnieis OF bureaus and the senators and rep.
resentatives. There were, however. nc
new or sensational Developments in the sit.
uation. Secretary Long said there had been
no orders as yet issued to the flying
squadron" now at Hampton Roads.
Inc department is taking active steps
TO secure number of u smaller class OF
ships. The purchase of two-the Creole
belonging to line running out OF New
York, and the yacht losephine--has been
contaminated, while orders have been tele-
graphed to agents of the government to
purchase the following. The yacht Sovel-
eign, belonging TO a New Yorker, ana the
Leoanon, the Saturn and the Irrawady. The
latter three are colliers, and VIII be used ii
necessary to accompany the fleets and
carry extra supplies of coal The Saturn,
II is believed, has been practically secured
by the department aud Will be delivered
TO Its agents in New York early next week.
The Creole will be used as hospital ship.
Ihere Will be urgent need of vessels OF
the collier class ii the government fails to
secure any foreign coaling stations OH
Gals were busy today in telegraphing 10
the department representatives at the
points where the owners of these Golfers
are to ascertain the vessels carrying ca
pacity and other details necessary for in
telligent action on the subject.
III was reported at the navy department
today that determination had been reach
ed whereby the State militia organizations
of number of States would man signal
stations along the coast, by which means
the arrival OF foreign vessels may be
promptly reported
The naval organizations of some States
have heretofore worked along this line. and
this Will be of material assistance to the
government. The matter. however. said
one official today, is in rather chaotic
condition, as the plans have not been per-
fccted.
Admiral Walker arrived in Washing
ton at o'clock this morning. and reported
in person 10 Secretary Long. The admiral
has been at the head of the commission in
vcstigating the route of the proposed Mic
araguan canal. His return renewed the
comment as to his possible choice for TAX
Ing supreme command OF all the United
States naval forces on the Atlantic While
less subject to duty in case OF need, and
there is reason to believe aside from duty.
the admiral would regard ii a privilege to
renew his active service.
Admiral Walker would not discuss what
the commission had accomplished nor re-
fer to his future plans In connection with
the navy. 1t is understood that the canal
commission agrees with former commits
sions in the conclusions that the Nicara-
guam canal Is a feasible project. the only
question being MS TO the amount the
undertaking will cost
The naval orders today were the longest
the navy department has issued in many
months, there being about forty-five dis
tnct assignments. or these thirty were of
naval cadets at Annapolis, who We're as
signed TO various ships. The cadets are
taken from the first class at the Academy,
which graduates next Monday, although
the term does not end then. AS rule the
time of graduation is three months later
than this