The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-03-30

ish government Withdraw its troops from
the island and that the Cubans he given
their independence on a basis of lndem-
nifty that would he regarded as just in
amount by the United States and other
nations of the world and fair to both
cOntending parties.
SPAIN SUGGESTED ARNIIST1CE.
The question of an armistice has not
been agreed to by either this country or
Spain though there is no doubt that
Spain suggested an armistice. what
terms of peace will be acceptable to the
President cannot be stated but it is as
serted that no proposition Will be consid-
cred that does not involve the practical,
if not the actual independence of the
Cubans.
There is little doubt that the French
government is ready to tender its good
offices as mediator between the United
States and Spain if any intimatiOn is
conveyed by this country that such Off
ces would he acceptable. Without such
int;mation it is doubtful whether France
will take the initiative.
The Army and Navy Departments
continue to show many evidences of ac-
tivity but there was not that extreme
energy of preparations apparent last
week. Capt Sigsbee had several talks
with Secretary Long during the day, and
ut the close of office hours, the Secre~
tary accompanied Captain Sigsbee to
the White House and presented him to
the President. Mr.. Long says that no
determination has been reached thus
far as to Captain Sigsbee's next assign
ment. A board is considering what
should be done with the wreck of the
Maine. At first it seemed possible to
save some part of the ship. and certainly
the big guns and turrets. But this has
been about abandoned. and the board
now sitting is expected to report to Sec
retary Long in a day or two on what
final steps shall be taken. 1T is probable
that what remains of the wreck will be
abandoned. The Navy Department made
no further purchases of foreign ships
to-day. although the Naval attaches
abroad continue to make inspection of
ships at the several yards.
A significant conference was held dur
ing the day between Representatives of
the War and Navy Departments to de-
termine whether New Orleans, Mobile,
or Tampa was best adapted as a base
of operations, both military and naval in
the event of war. The representative
of the Navy is Captain Barker, Naval
Aide to Secretary Long, and for the
Army ColonelWagner. Chief of the Bu-
reau of Information of the Army.
The examination is particularly direc-
ted toward ascertainmg railroad facili-
ties from all sections of the country
leading to the points on the gulf named
above. No determination has yet been
reached on the subject.
A GULF BASE OF SUPPLIES.
Surgeon General Van Reypen, of the
Navy. has about completed the prelimi-
nary arrangements necessary to the fit
ting out and manning of a floating hos
pital ship for use in case of war; He
has several vessels in mind which he
believes well adapted for this purpose
but none has been purchased as yet.
The formal report of the Medical
Board of Officers of the North Atlantic
Squadron that sat in Admiral Sicard's
case shows that he was suffering from
what is technically known as Chronic
malaria.' 1t was upon the report of this
board that the Admiral was relieved of
his command and granted six months
leave of absence.
The Ordnance Bureau is actively at
work preparing for the armament of the
yachts and tugs which have just been ac-
quired by purchase by the Navy, and by
loan from the Treasury Department
On the tugs and yachts the Ordnance
Bureau will install such six Founders as
may he available for the purpose, while
on the cutters will be put some four inch
and several six Founders, all of the rapid
fire class.
1t was stated ut the Navy Department
that the steam yacht Giralda, jus pur-
chased by Spain, cost that government
probably $350.000. She is not regarded
as a very formidable acquisition to the
Spanish Navy, as she is inferior to the
MayfiOwer the yacht hought by Secre
tary Long about two weeks ago. The
Giralda was constructed on the Clyde.
At the War Department the most i'm
pOrtant development of the day, was the
announcement that the TNwenty-fifth
Regiment of infantry, now stationed at
Montana, would be transferred to Dry
Tortugas, in the Gulf of Mexico. This
regiment is composed entirely of colored
troops who have been located in the
northwest for a number of years. Their
stay in the Gulf climate will prepare
them for any service in Cuba, should this
be necessary. The troops will first goI
to Key West. 1t may be that the De-
partment will keep some of them there,
and send only portion of the regiment
to Tortugas, but this haas not been de-
termined definitely.
The Ordnance officials of the Army.
report that the firms which have been
given contracts for supplying ammuni-
tion, guns. projectiles. and gun car
riages are keeping well to their promises
in the matter of supplying these muni-
tons of war on time. and they are being
hurried to the Notifications needing |
them.