Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-10-10
NEWS OF THE NAVY.
North Atlantic Squadron VIII Cruise
OFF Venezuela, This Winter.
Over $4,000. 900 Expended for New Ships.
This fear-Naval Needs.

Washington, Oct. 9.--The winter plans
for the North Atlantic squadron are very
| slgnlilcant In view OF the situation In
CUBA and the attitude this country hss as
sumed toward British encroachments in
Venezuela. This government docs not
desire to make any aggressive move pre-
maturely, but at the same time intends
to be as well prepared as possible for any
emergency
The North Atlantic squadron is to be
greatly strengthened. Transfers are to be
made so as to assemble in that squadron
about all the best vessels in the navy, and.
instead OF ceasing their squadron drill for
the winter, they will continue it In south
ern waters. The result will be that the
strongest squadron that this country has
ever assembled will be cruising in the
vicinity of Venezuela. British Guiana and
Cuba.
An impressive demonstration of force
will thus be made, but 1t will be under
the guise of practice drill The excuse for
adding vessels to the squadron will be that
1t is desirable that every one of the new
vessels should have practice in squadron
drill and that it Is necessary to continue
the practice through the winter. 1t has
not been customary to continue the cvolu-
tons through the winter, but the excuse
is regarded as very convenient.
Should occasion arise for the uss of
something more powerful than diplomacy
in Venezuelan or Cuban affairs the com
mander of a powerful fleet, with head
quarters mt Colon, would be within an
hours communication of Washington and
at the same time within 81 hours sailing
distance of the probable seat of the trouble
In the navy department this now move
mcnt is regarded as of the utmost import
ance and as of far moro significance than
any similar action of the authorities for
many years past. it means that the ad-
ministration will strictly enforce the
Monroe doctrine
The southern limit Of the cruising
grounds of the North Atlantic squadron
is Just about n degree south of the equator,
so that the United States can, without ap-
pearing to make a hostile demonstration,
mass her warships along the entire coast
of Venezuela and British Guiana. The
North Atlantic squadron is the most
powerful fleet OF the American navy in
American waters
The South Atlantic squadron consists
of sometimes one and sometimes three
vessels of the second, third and fourth
classes. At the present time 1t consists Of
only three vessels. no one of which is of a
formidable character 1t is asserted that
Secretary Herbert contempates holding
the South Pacific squadron in the vicinity
of Valparaiso wherr, in case OF need, it
could be readily be ccmmup icated with by
cable
The following are either now in the
North Atlantic squadron or are available
for the practice: The New York, Maine
Indiana, Texas, Columbia, Raleigh, Gin
cinnati, Minneapolis, Montgomery and
Amphitrite The Chicago and atlanta are
out OF commission, but at New York. and
could be utilized If desired Much interest
is manifested here as to who will com
mand this great fleet Admiral Bunce is
now in charge but there are some who say
that Admiral Walker will be assigned TO
this duty. As yet nothing definite can be |
said.
W. II. Pugh, auditor of the treasury for |
the navy department has submitted his
annual report. He states that the ap.
parent deficiency in the pay of the navy
for the year ended Jan. 80, 1895, amounts |
co s56, 529, and the apparent available
balance in the pay of the United States |
marine corps Is s500S.
There was expended on the increase of |
the navy during the year, sl3, 1872, 1874,
leaving uucxrended on this score s2, 523,
295. The deposit fund had standing to
the credit of the men on July /, 1896,
1916, 1875.
There was a loss Of S23711S In the |
transfer of funds from New York TO Lon
don during the year, and August Belmont |
& Co, the fiscal agents of the department,
received little over $1,000 in commissions
on disbursements made.