The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1896-06-27
IT MAY MEET AIN
AMERICA IS KEEPING A SHARP
BYE.0E HER WAR VESSELS.

Assistant Secretary Meade of the NAVY
Makes a Critical Investigation and Ex.
is Especially Attentive to the Monitors
His Action Reviyes the Reports of a
tions are Being Made for Something
Unusual.
Philadelphia. Pa, June 26.-In con-
nection with yesterdays visit of As
sistant Secretary of the Navy William
McAdoo to the League Island Navy
Yard and his close inspection of the war
vessels there certain hints privately
dropped by naval officers at Washing
ton ar ominous. There is a chain OF
circumstantial evidence which seems to
lead quite directly TO the prospect of
trouble between Uncle Sam and Spain.
True, the announcement is made that
Mr.. McAdoo's present tour of inspection
to the various navy yards is being made
for the purpose of arranging for the
summer cruise OF the different state
naval reserves, which are to take place
in a few weeks; and this is undoubtedly
one OF his errands. Naval officials,
however, attach much more Importance
TO the present squirt of activity in the
department than the mere routine bust
ness of this character would warrant,
and If the prediction of Cuban sympa-
thizers and prominent members of the
Junta in this city have any foundation
in fact, the government at Washington
is preparing for a decisive step that
viii materially aid the cause of the Gu
ban insurgents. In fact, the belief
is expressed that the navy department
is doing all that it can do without anous-
ing suspicion to put the naval service
in preparation for any emergency that
may arise
A letter from Washington that has
been received within the last few days,
sent by a navy officer of high rank to
relative in this city, is said to reflect
the opinion of naval officials in general
concerning the activity In the depart
ment. The positive conviction is ex-
pressed in this letter that preparations
are being made to meet any offensive
demonstration that may be made by
Spain, and the officer gives his reasons
as follows:
SIGNIFICANT VIEW OF THE FIELD
I'm times of peace the officers and
men of the regular army affect to treat
the militia as inferior bodies; but when
war comes the officers of the regular
army are extremely anxious TO secure
commands among volunteers. The
army and navy are alike in this respect
The naval reserves are TO the navy
what the militia is TO the army Con-
siderable attention has recently been
paid by army officers to the militia en-
campments in the different states; but
more than ordinary attention has been
paid by the navy department to the
various bodies OF naval reserves.
The army and navy departments
are keenly alive to the possibilities OF
war in the near future, and these at
tentions ON their part to the militia
and naval reserves are not born of mere
regard for those bodies
When requests are made for ships from
the navy, as practice ships for drilling
the naval reserves, these requests are
acceded TO with great promptness and
alacrity. Monitors have been fitted
UP in the most complete manner, ready
for actual service, and placed at the
of the naval reserves in the
states. Ships of war are de-
tailed TO train the reserves on their
cruises, with the best gunners and dis
In the navy 10 give them
"All this Is so foreign to the usual
practice in the navy department that it
sets us thinking. Assistant Secretary
McAdoo has visited the various navy
yards and the vessels in those navy
yards are being pushed to completion
and readiness for service. We are told
that this is routine work that is always
TO, but this sudden activity
and attention 10 routine work are not
merely in the ordinary performance OF
1uties. There is something behind It
all that is not published to the world.
The reason for the great attention paid
% the naval reserves to perfect them in
lrill and discipline. together with the
activity IN the navy department
n getting the ships and monitors into |
good fighting order will soon become ap-
parent
I'VE are informed that Spain is pur-
,hasing vessels and quietly getting ready |
or a conflict. With this information |
n their possession. it seems to be time |
or our government to take some action, |
md 1t looks as if action was being taken. |
You may soon see the old sign hung |
nut: Recruits wanted for the United |
states navy-a fine chance for study |
md promotion
NO TIME FOR MINOR REPAIRS
In connection with the navy depart |
nent activity referred to, the fact is |
pointed out that Secretary Herbert and |
Admiral Bunce have declined to allow |
several of the vessels in the North At |
antc squadron go into dry docks for |
,eeded minor repairs. Although they 1
1--WE no reasons. II is believed that the |
'epairs were postponed in order 10 keep |
he ships at sea ready for active service. |
The League Island Navy yard has
ately been busters than for some time. |
The battleShip Massachusetts Is the /
My vessel in commission at the yard: |
'ut there are number Of vessels out /
+ commission which could be put in /
ctive service as soon as they could be |
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