New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-12-21
NETWORK TO SAIL AT ONCE
ORDERED TO START FOR RIO BY SATURDAY
MORNING.
SITE WILL BE ACCOMPANIED BY THE MIANToNO-
MoH-THE BENNINGTON TO JOIN THEM
FURTHER ADvICEs FROM CAP
TAIN PICKING.
TAIN PICKING
fry TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE. I

Washington Dec 20-There is doubt that
The Administration thinks this country should
take a more active stand in the solution Of diff
entities which now seem TO centre at Rio. How
serfouC the situation in that quarter has grown
cannot be definitely learned. At the State and
NAVY Departments to-day there We're evidences
Of unusual activity. 1t transpired toward the
close Of business that the cause of this activity
was further advices from Captain Picking. The
language of the dispatch could not be definitely
learned. TT was important" was all that was
said by naval officials.
The best proof of the seriousness of Captain
Picking's telegram was shown by the action of
naval officials. The first step to order the
New-York to prepare for sea at once. Later
orders were sent to put the ship in drydock and
complete her readiness for sea with the least
possible delay. In reply TO these advices Ad-
miral Gherardi telegraphed to the Department
that all due haste in getting the ship ready
was being observed, that the ship would be
docked tomorrow. and that as soon thereafter
as possible she would proceed to sea. 1t is ex'
pected here that the New-York will come out Of
dock on Friday, coal and be ready To take her
departure on Saturday According to the orders
Of the Navy Department the vessel must sail
on Friday night or Saturday morning.
1t seems to be the opinion of naval officials
that it may be possible to coal the New-York
faster in the West Indies than at New-York.
II coal cannot be promptly put on board at
New-York and the ship be made ready for sea
by Saturday morning she may sail at that
time without coaling. Apparently the idea is
TO get the vessel off without delay. In his tele-
grams to the Department to-day Admiral
Gherardi said that all workmen making
double time" and that every effort being
made to comply with the Departments wishes.
1t is definitely learned that the monitor
q N 90 - "A fh..
subject was set at rest to-day. 1t was believed
that the injury to the ships electrical plant
would prevent her sailing. Secretary Herbert.
however. has issued directions to put the vessel
on the sea roster. 1t is probable that the
Mantonomoh will leave New-York about the
same time that the armored cruiser departs
She is in good condition. according TO the
latest reports received at the Navy Depart
ment. Her engines and boilers are in par
ticularly good order She has on board full
complement of officers and men, and there Is
no good reason why she should not make the
cruise. Slight defects in her ordnance and
the working of her turrets. which were devel-
oped on her recent trial in Gardner's Bay have
been rectifed. and as effective fighting yes
sci the Miantonomoh will hold her own with
the best of powerful fighting craft
Instructions further TO increase the feet at
Rio have been sent to Admiral Erben. COM
mander-in- Chief of the European squadron. The
Bennington. of his command has been directed
10 proceed without delay 10 Rio. and to report
to the Commander-in-Chief of the squadron now
at that port. The Pennington is not fighting
VeSSel, out ner great coal capacity ana Rpou
manoeuvring qualities make her valuable ad-
dition 10 feet, whether engaged in offensive or
defensive operations, The Bennington will leave
European waters at once She is at Vile
Franche with the Chicago. She will proceed
by way of Gibraltar ana the Azores, where
she will coal, so as 10 make her passage under
steam. Whether not the Yorktown will he
ordered from Chill around Cape Horn to Rio
is yet a question. The Yorktown is available
for such service, and If telegraphic orders were
sent she could reach Rio by the time the other
vessels make that port.