Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-09-09

The United States cruiser Philadelphia is
tugging at her moorings at the New York navy
yard today, with steam UP, coal in her bunkers
and shot and shell il her magazines
She is awaiting sailing orders from the Navy
Department, being in readiness to proceed to
Venezuela at a moments notice, il It is neces-
sary.
The cruiser Chicago is steaming toward New
York at full speed from Newport, R. l., from
whence she sailed at o'clock this morning
under hasty orders, bearing Rear Admiral
Walker, who is to proceed on the Philadelphia
and take command of the squadron, if 1t is
necessary. She will arrive about O'Clock this
afternoon.
The necessity is to be determined later in the
day or tonight, Immediately upon the receipt
by the State Department of an official cable
gram from Venezuela relating the condition
OF affairs in that country.
The gunboat Concord. which sailed for La
Guayra last week, is due in that port today and
report from Commander White is also momen-
tarily expected.
THE MONROE DOCTRINE.
The STAR intimated last week. at the time Of
the sailing Of the Concord, the gravity1of the
situation in Venezuela and the possibility of the
necessity Of interference by the United States
government to protect American interests, II
not to maintain the long-settled policy of this
government, first announced by President Mon
roe, in the matter of foreign aggression toward
Central and South American republics.
Since that publication by The STAR the
kearsarge has been ordered to Venezuela and
now comes the possibility of another addition
to the United States warships in those waters.
1t is whispered at the Navy Department to-
dow hat A,,.,~ 4 4. II
tonight it will be because necessity has arisen
FOR the presence Of a ranking official of this gov
ernment, who will have more authority and the
naval power to exert that authority than is
possessed by the representative of the State De-
partment.
WATCHING THE BRITISH FLEET.
Officials are exceedingly reserved in their
statements regarding the situation, but Incl
dentalIy it Is learned that this government is
carefully watching the movements of the British
fleet in the West Indies, which now comprises
fourteen warships They are within short
steaming distance of La Guayra, and, while
they have not made any move In that direction,
yet there arc rumors Of hustle and movements
in the feet.
ADMIRAL GHERARDI DETAroHED.
After The STAR went to press yesterday after
noon orders were issued by the Navy Depart
ment detaching Admiral Ghersrdi from com
mand of the North Atlantic squadron and direct
ing Admiral Walker to assume command. The
ceremony will be performed when Admiral
Walker reaches New York this afternoon. He
will decide himself whether he will select the
Philadelphia the Chicago as his flagship. If
imperative orders are received to proceed at
once to Venezuela he will probably transfer his
flag temporarily to the Philadelphia, that
ship is in readiness to sail and some delay might
be occasioned in fitting out the Chicago for a
campaign.
Admiral Gherardi is to command the feet of
ships in the Pacific that is to visit South Amer
ican ports this fall and he will hoist his flag
aboard the Baltimore of Chilean fame the
latter part of next month.
ADMIRAL WALKERS NEW COMMAND.
Aside from the graver phases of the vene-
zuelan situation there is a little gossip in con-
nection with it. Some people are wondering
how Admiral Walker likes his new billet 1t is
well known that he has been looking with
covetous eyes for long time at the command
OF the North Atlantic squadron. He wanted il
and wanted it badly. He has it now. But peo-
pie wonder if he would have wanted it SO baldy
could he have foreseen that his first duty might
lie in Venezuelan pest port in the sickliest
season of the year in the tropics. and there
is much sympathy expressed for him over the
unavoidable thorn which accompanies his
coveted rose.
thcic was suPPrcseeo DuZZ OF eAcltement
among naval officers today over Venezuelan
matters. They are all anxious for the United
States warships to get to Venezuela. They
don't like the idea of German, Spanish and
French gunboats having to protect the stars
ara stripes. They are very sensitive on this
point. because. as they say. it is high time that
the maritime nations should see a demonstra-
ton of the power of the United States to pro-
tect her own, especially within the very
shadow almost of United States soil.
Up to late hour this afternoon the expected
dispatches had not been received.