Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-01-19
GREAT ACTIVITY GOING on.
The Secretary ef the Navy Making Every
Needful Preparation.
HE AID HIS STAFF ARE BrsILY KSoAoEp-THK
WHITE SQUADRON TO GO ROUND cAFE HoKS--
ADMIRAL eHkRARpI SAILS sorrH-coNNoDoRK
FoLaEn WANTS TO COMMAND THE MONTEREY.

WHITE SQUADRON TO GO ROUND cAPE HoES-
ADMIRAL eHkRARpI SAILS sorrH-coNNoDoRE
FoLaER WANTS TO COMMAND THE MONTEREY.
Secretary Tracy put in a very busy morning
before be went to the cabinet meeting today.
One Of the first things he did after reaching
his Office was TO send for Senator Cameron. the
chairman of the Senate naval committee. with
whom he had an extended conference. Among
others who saw him was Mr.. Clement Geiscom,
an officer of the Red Star line Of steam
ships. He has had several interviews
with the Secretary of late. ana it is understood
that negotiations are pending for the purchase
Of certain steamers from that company by the
government in the event of war. No an
nouhcement to that effect has as vet been
made at the Navy Department, but IL Is
thought that the government has practically
made bargain for several vessels that will be
used as transports should hostilities occur.
SECRETARY rRAcY's STAFF.
The Secretary has formed q staff of very able
officers about him during the growth OF the
present troubles and they are daily in consul
tation with him on various matters concerning
the crisis. These are Commodores Ramsay
and Foiger Of the bureaus of navigation
and ordnance, Capt Mahan and Com
mander Chadwick. Capt. Mahan is regarded
us an expert on the art OF war
and as such he is an extremely valuable aid to
the Secretary. He has been engaged in a work
of great Importance. the preparation of a new
course of study for the Naval War College at
Newport, bnt this has been somewhat inter
rupted by the present emergency.
commander Chadwick. who recently COM
manded the Yorktown. has an intimate Ac-
quaintance with the naval progress o. Europe
having been stationed in England as. naval at
tache to the American legation for several
years he Is new on no regular duty beyond
that OF inspector of the construction Of two of
the new vessels, and hence he has been held at
Washington by the Secretary for the benefit of
his gene raj knowledge.
COMMODORE II LGER WANTS TO FIGHT
1t has been ascertained that Commodore
Folger, the chief of the bureau of ordnance.
has made q request Of Secretary Tracy to the
effect that in case Of war he wants to be relieved
OF his present important duty and placed in
command OF the coast defense vessel
Monterey, now awaiting completion at San
Francisco. 1t is understood that he
regards this vessel as the most formidable now
belonging to this navy and that he considers
1t to be superior in fighting quality 20 any ship
owned by the Chileans, including the celebrated
Captain Pratt, now building in France for the
Chilean government
The Monterey is now complete except her
armor and guns One of the latter is on its
way across the continent at the present time
and the other is awaiting trial at the Indian
Head proving ground. Work is being pushed
on the armor. and Commodore Folger hopes
10 De able TO have the vessel ready for service
within a couple Of months provided the work
can go on at the highest speed
ORDERS FOR ADMIRAL WALKER.
1t is understood that orders are IN contem-
plation at the Navy Department to Admiral
Walker, now at Montevideo with the Chicago.
Atlanta and Bennington. to push with his
squadron around Cape Horn into the Pacific with
VALPARAISO rs an objective point. OF course no
confirmation of this can be obtained from the
authorities. hut there lis reason to believe that
II Is true, nevertheless. 1t was thought by some
that the squadron had already gone westward,
but up to date the vessels are rtill at Monte
vldeo.
ADMIRAL GHEgARDI SENT SOUTH.
Word has been received in Washington that
the Philadelphia, the flag ship of Admiral
Gherardis squadron in the north Atlantic. has
sailed south from the Barbados for Montevedio.
This indicates general naval movement of
importance, as the station lines of the naval
system are regarded as absolute except in cases
Of emergency.
ADMIRAL KIMBERLY MAY COMMAND.
There is considerable speculation as to who
would be pnced in command of the naval
force in the Pacific in case of war. but the gen.
eral opinion centers upon Rear Admiral Kim
berry, who is at the head OF the active list
He is now on shore duty in this city, and,
though be will reach the retiring age in the
spring, Is in possession of excellent health.
HIS conduct OF affairs at Samoa during the
great hurricane won for him the widest praise,
and be Is now regarded by many as one o. the
ablest officers in the service.
THE REMEY TESTIMONY ALL HERE.
Ali the testimony taken by Col Remey at
San Francisco in his investigation into the as
sault upon the sailors of the Baltimore at VAL
paraiso has been received at the Navy Depart
ment and transmitted to the President for his
inspection. 1t was said today tina; il might be
submitted to Congress along with the diplo-
matte correspondence with Chile.
Col. Remey has asked and obtained per-
mission to stop over for two or three dave in
Burlington, Iowa, his former home on his way
east from San Francisco. This would indicate
that his presence here is not regarded as neces-
sary for the closing Of the case by the admins
tration.
SIGNIFICANT SIGN.
Onel OF the most significant signs Of the
preparations that are making in naval circles
is the sudden suppression of news of all sorts at
the department. Only few of the least i'm
portant and significant orders TO officers are
published for the information OF the
representatives of the press. and the
most pronounced reticehce prevails as To the
movements OF Vessels. IL is With dlf1lculty that
rumors are confirmed or denied, and the entire
attitude of the department. is very much like
that Of q clam.
PURE CANARD.
The most startling rumor prevailed on the
streets last night, to the effect that the T. s. 8.
Yorktown had been fired upon by the Chileans
while in the harbor at Valparaiso. No con-
firmation could possibly be obtained of this
rumor, and it developed this morning
As the climax in the Chilean contro-
versy approaches the tendency of
the uniformed to invent and circulate stirring
reports about the situation increases, until it is
astounding character afioat. This seems to be
true at all such times of general excitement
and the crop of absurd speculations increases
with each day until it is dithcult TO ascertain
the exact truth.