Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1899-03-18
JUNKETINC TOUR TO CUBA.
wanted the Matter Kept secret. hut
Despite Al Caution the Proposed
Tour becomes Puhiie.

New York. March is.-Thc Tribune
says. II In asserted here by persons
who II Ia believed are In n position
to have correct Information that Cen
cral Algqr. secretary 81 war. Is PLAN
ming 20 start ON his tour 81 inspection
OF cuba and Porto Rico next week.
Arrangements have been made. II u
raid. to have the transport ingalls, at
Savannah by next "wednesday ana
Secretary Alrcr Will start from that
port.
Every detail OF the proposed trip has
been zcnloufly guarded ana all the OH
oialH connected with the army depart
mcnt haV. been cnJplncd 10 secrecy.
II has been the Hccrctaryn intention 10
leave Washington quietly aud 10 10 on
the "trip before tho public should learn
Of II. For this reason Savannah was
chosen instead OF New York aH the
port from which 10 sail.
Secretary Alger inst planned 10 take
this trip of inspection to Cuba and
Porto Rico In tho latter part ~ Junu-
nry. and orders had been given 60 the
transport officials To- hold the Meade In
party for the FIRST week Ia February.
Then Secretary Algcr decided that the
transport needed to be repaired and the
trip was postponed until March 9th.
Then the Meade went 20 the Erie ba-
rim 20 be rented FOR the secretary.
Some ~ the newspapers ridiculcd the
proposed 'iunkct." ~ they called II,
and continued to make 10 much fun
81 the expedition that II IL said the sec-
rotary became sensitive about H. When
the time came 60 10. Congress was con-
nldrring the army bill aud the Hecrc-
tary intlmatri that u would De im-
possible for him to leave Washington
at that time ana Il was reported that
the trip OF inspection to cuba had 10
be- given up indefinitely. Hut II u now
declared that the secretary has been
planning 10 carry out his Intention for
some weeks.
IlecauHc Of the publicity given TO the
plans, for the former proposed trip
ana tho annoyance which II caused
Gen. AiFor. he resolved " possible to
carry out hts intention. and get safely
away before II should be- learned that
he was going.
After consultation with Colonel Bird.
In charge Of the Washington tranHpor,
bureau. II was decided that the In
gals should be the official transport.
The Ingalls, was formerly the Clear
water. She has been undergoing a
thorough ovcrhnuling and rcflttins In
the nhipynrds NJ Elixnbrthport, where
she has been for the last two months.
Everything about the boat from stem
to stern IN In iinc condition,
The ingalls, N not 10 large as the
Meade or other transports, but she N
n good sea boat. The contract under
which the alterations were made spec
iiicd that the work WIS not tn be done
until March Goth. Hut since Secretary
AlEer chose the boat ms the official
transport. there have been lively times
AT the ship yards. Extra men have
been employed ana the orders were TO
rush the work to completion at once.
Captain Wright. u. <. v. the quarter
master In charge. has worked early
and late In picking out an efficient crew
ana IN getting through the acquisitions
for the furnishings and supplies.
The orders are to have the Ingalls, at
Savannah ON next Wednesday without
fall and every detail Of Arrangement
aud furnishing IN the ship must be
without flaw. The accomplishment
OF tins II worrying the transport oiil-
clals. " In plnnncd TO have the ingalls,
sail for Savannah from the transport
pier In lro0klyn at 10 o'clock on Mon
day morning. She goes tn BROOKLYN 10
receive her supplies and the last touch
- TO her equipment. For this purpose
the ingalls, win SO from Elizabethport
either late this afternoon or tomorrow.
The boat IL to be pfovisloned for thir-
~ days, but II In not known Just how
extensive n tour VIII be made.
The inralls was formerly In the ser.
vice of'thF Louisianan Lottery com
prny when tho concern was driven out
Of New orleans and had TO 40 TO Brit
ish IIondurnn, The steamer carried the
lottery compnny'a business from Hon
durnH 10 New orleans. She II easily
% bic 60 make aixteon knots per hour
n about seb feet long but has narrow
beam.