The Greenville times. [volume] (Greenville, Miss.) 1868-1917, 1896-03-04
RENEWAL OF ACTIVITY
In the Preparation Of American
War Ships for Service.
THE OREGON AND THE MASSACHUSETTS,
Battleships, and the Monitor Terror Being
Pushed Toward completion-The
President Preparing for
Any Emergency.

NEW YORK, March "A San special
from Washington says: In the past
few days there has been renewal of
naval activity which recalls ths action
of the department Immediately follow
ing the presidents Venezuelan mes
sage. The object Of the ,administra-
tion in getting the navy in full fight
ing trim is believed to be due to the
possibility that trouble might follow
the adoption by the house of the reso-
lutions for the recognition of Cupa.
Orders have been issued to hurry up
work on several ships now building.and
1t unquestionab that strong efforts
are being made by Secretary Herbert,
acting under directions OF the presi-
dent, to prepare every available vessel
for service with the least possible de-
lay.
On Friday orders were issued to ship
Immediately the stores. equipment and
outfit to the battleships Oregon at San
Francisco and Massachusetts at
Cramps, and as neither OF these YES
sells was expected to be ready for at
least two months, these orders
are regarded as very significant.
All Of the equipment of these
two vessels that could be forwarded
from Washington was sent Saturday.
and that from other naval stations will
b. hurrel along with dispatch. These
ships are fast approaching completion,
and it is said at the navy department
could be pressed into service within
two weeks II an emergency called for
them. The Oregon was expected to
have her dock trial on April /, and her
speed trial later i'm the month, but she
Is not down for commission until July.
The Massachusetts, Is nearer compile
tion, and has all her ordnance aboard
or ready to be installed.
At the navy department. no informa-
tiou will be given relatlveto the urgent
orders to prepare these vessels for serv-
Ice, but II is admitted by naval officers
that there must be something unusual
expected to call for haste in complet-
ing the battleships. "
The monitor Terror at New York is
expected to be in service about the
same time as the battleships, and work
is being pushed to have her Join the
b 'me station this spring. Secretary
Herbert declines to discuss the ques-
tiol of naval preparation just now, or
the real reason for holding the various
fleets well together.
Admiral Bunce's fleet has now been
anchored at Hampton Roads since De-
cember Is. 1t is pretty well decided
tn It there will be no southern cruise,
and that when the ships move it will
be either for some cruise north or else
to Cuba for the protection of American
interests. Admiral Bunce has no idea
what the department intends doing
with the squadron.
A republican member of the house
foreign relations committee said that
the president was appriscd of the con-
dition of atflrs in Cuba, and was pre-
pairing for any emergency which
might be brought about by the action
Of congress.
He bad given orders, said this mem
bcr, to have the navy ready for scrv-
Ice, and congress knew just what the
administration was doing. Should the
Cuban resolutions pass the house.
which he says is certain, the presence
of big squadron of warships might
be required in Cuban waters.