Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1898-03-18
Spain Wants to Know What We
Mean by Buying Warships.
COURT OF INQUIRY LEAVES HAVANA.
Gives No Hint as to When a Report
May BE EXpected-COnti nued
Activity Mt the War and
Navy Departments.


developed at Tuesdays cabinet meet
Ing. A large part of the time was con-
sumed in the general discussion of the
measures being taken to place the navy
on proper footing for defense in case
of trouble. The question of the pur-
chase of war vessels where they could
be had, and at what price, was talked
over, but without coming to any
definite conclusion on any new propo-
sitions. Information in possession of
The government is to the effect that up
to this time Spain has not consummated
the purchase of the CHILEAN warship
O'Higgins. The indications, it is stated,
seem to be that this ship also will be
added ultimately to the United States
navy.
Court Leaves Havana.
Havana, March 16.-The Mangrove,
with the court of inquiry on board,
sailed Tuesday night for Key West.
Capt. Sampson, president of the board,
assured the correspondents that the de-
cision to leave Havana was not reached
until Tuesday afternoon after con-
sultation of the members. 1t was de-
might be obtained here, this was not
sufficiently likely to justify longer
stay. The court can return if the divers
or wreckers make discoveries that add
to the stock of knowledge now gath
cred. The plans of the submerged
wreck, in the preparation of which En-
sign Powelson has had large share,
are very elaborate, and Capt. Sampson
says the testimony and records of the
divers are very full. Capt. Sampson
hopes the court will be allowed TO re-
sumo its sittings on the battleship
Iowa, now near Key West with the New
York. All the officers of the court ex-
cept Judge Advocate Mark are sta
toned on the Iowa or the New York,
and on the former the court could be alb
solutely free from interruption. The
greater part of the investigation that
remains will consist, unless the court
returns here, of a careful study of the
plans. 1t is not thought that it will
be necessary again to summon the sur
Tivors of the Maine, officers or men,
now at Key West or scattered through
out the fleet. Capt. Sampson said, how
ever, that any such would be summoned
II the revision of the testimony showed
missing links in the chain that they
could supply.
The court has no prophecy to make
as to the further duration of It's sit
fings or as to when or where the find
tngs will be promulgated. Capt. Sigs-
bee will probably remain here with
Lieut.. Commander Wainwright to SUI
perintend the wrecking on behalf of the
government. Chaplain Chadwick is ex-
pected to remain to care for any bodies
that may be recovered. At least no or
ders had been received to the contrary
When this dispatch was sent
Activity in the Departments.
Washington, March l6.-Tuesday was
another busy day in the war and navy
departments. Secretary Alger was en-
abled to make an allotment of funds
from the appropriation of $5OOOO 900
which will greatly facilitate the work
OF the bureaus. These bureaus had not
been able to conclude any contracts for
the procurement of war supplies be-
cause no allotment had been made, but
Tuesday afternoon the ordnance bu-
reau was given $2,5oo,O0o and business
went forward with rush. 1t is true
that this sum is already mortgaged un-
der provisional arrangements made
during the past week, but with the as
surance OF more funds to come the work
OF the bureau is now moving rapidly.
Secretary Long was exceedingly
busy, having not only to give a good
n fn 10 Al,
he was obliged to return twice, but also
being obliged to see great many per-
sons with whom the department has
or expects to have contract relations.
The secretary also spent good deal of
time at intervals during the day in con-
sulting over the long-distance tele-
phone with naval officers in New York,
and it is believed much of this con-
sultation concerned the procurement of
suitable vessels from among the aux
iliary navy for war purposes.
Militia Officers Make INQUIRIES.
Inspired by the war sentiment pre-
yailing in many parts of the country,
Officers of state militia organizations
have been inquiring of the war depart
ment as to allotments of arms, am
munition, etc. There is an annual APP
preparation aggregating about $780,
600 allotted among the militia of the
several states, according to their nu-
merical strength, and the money grant
ed may be expended for any branch of
the service desired.
That feature which has received some
attention lately relates to the artillery
field pieces, only few states having
been supplied with this necessary ad-
5unct to successful military service
The militia organizations as rule have
been satisfied with the ordinary Ma
roleon 12-pounder brass cannon which
fires a solid ball, but their use has been
almost entirely discarded in the regu-
lar army. Of late years New York, H.
1inois, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Utah
md few other states have been fur
nished the new field artillery pieces
used by the war department in it's
service. The officials are prompt to ac
cede to the requests of the militia or
carnations II their allotment of the
annual appropriations made by con
gress Is not exhausted, but in the alb
lsence of any money on hand to the
credit of the states no equipment O
any character can be given them. Thu
ARTILLERY strength of the state militit
organizations in time of peace is foul
field pieces and in time of war 81.
pieces.
HIan the