The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-03-25
FOR WAR
Energetic Measures Follow in
Rapid Succession.
SPAIN'S TORPEDO FLEET
Its Departure From the Canaries In
wolves Grave McKln-
ley Still Believes That War
May Be Averted.

| Washington, March 4-The last day
before the arrival OF the report of the
Maine court of inquiry was one of un-
exampled activity in all official quar-
tiers. Advices came early that the
/ Spanish torpedo flotilla had sailed from
the Canares for Porto Rico, and from
this moment the most energetic war;
4 like measures followed one another in
l constant succession. The movement of
B this fleet has been watched with the
keenest interest, as IL was felt to in
volve serious possibilities which might
compel the United States government
! to protest against the movement as of
a hostile character. Immediately on the
receipt of an official dispatch from one
| or our naval attaches abroad, briefly
announcing the sailing of the fleet. the
| fact was made known to the president
and an earnest conference was held be-
! tween him and Secretary Long and
Assistant Secretary Roosevelt. The
seriousness of the movement was fully
| considered, and the president was ad-
vised that naval strategists regarded 1t
as essential that this torpedo fleet
should not be allowed TO reach western
| waters What. IL any, conclusion was
! reached, is not known. Later in the
| day the Spanish minister. Senior Polo y
/ Bernabe. called at the state department
N 1
\ IL was naturally inferred that the ap-
! proach of the Spanish fiotilla was one of
/ the subjects referred to. Whether
however, there was any suggestion
/ against the move was not disclosed by
| either Judge Day or the Spanish
minister. both Of whom maintained the
! strictest reticence regarding the con-
| ference and refused to speak concern
| ing II. Following the fiotilla announce
| ment, important news followed rapidly.
| The first was this announcement by
! Secretary Long. indicating the placing
of our squadron and fleet on a war foot
| ing:
Admiral Sicard has been granted
| leave. very much to the regret of the
! navy department.. on account of his
health. Captain Sampson has been
/ made commander of the fleet at Key
| West. Captain Evans has been ordered
to take command of the battlesh y
Iowa. The orders to the squadron In
| Hampton Roads have not yet been
issued"
Although the announcement didn't
state so, IL soon became known that
Commodore w. :. Schley was slated to
command the flying squadron" This
| announcement was recognized at once
as of unusual importance at this juno
| ture. Admiral Sicard has been I'm
| command of the fleet at Key West
| throughout the critical period of the
Maine disaster. Captain Sampson mas
been in command of the Iowa. but
more recently has been conspicuous be-
fore the public as president OF the
Maine court of inquiry. Captain Rob
ley Evans is better known as Fight
ing Bob" Evans.
The next important move vas de-
termination To create a joint commits
sion from the war and naval depart
ments so as to bring them into har-
monious action on all measures. Cap
tain Barker. the naval aide of Secre-
tary Long, was designated To represent
the navy department in this common
plan of action. The representative OF
the war department has not yet been
named. Ii will not be necessary for
these two officers to leave Washington.
as they can best arrange a joint plan
of action i'm conference with the bureau
chiefs of the two departments here.
Then. at the close of the day. came
an announcement that the navy de-
partment had succeeded in purchasing
eight steam yachts and four steam
tugs, presumably at or near New York.
for use in the auxiliary naval fleet. The
boats are about 400 tons each and in an
emergency would be suitable as tor
pedo boats. The yachts purchased are
among the fleet and along the Attain
tic coast and are said to be somewhat
chased of the Ogden Goelet estate. This
acquisition to the navy lis regarded as
an exceptionally valuable one at the
present time. as the greatest need is
felt for small craft suitable as torpedo
boats and dispatch boats. There was
additional satisfaction at the navy de-
partment at the large number secured
i'm single purchase. The names and
amounts paid for the various yachts
and tugs are not disclosed. as IL is said
this would prove an embarrassment to
the government IN promoting specu.a-
tion in other crafts for which negotia-
tiOns are now pending.
Throughout the day the white house
presented an animated appearance. SEN
ators and representatives from both po-
litical parties calling TO confer with the
president. Among the callers were
Senators Cullom, Fairbanks. Aldrich.
Jones Of Arkansas and Spooner and
Representative Bailey. the democratic
leader in the house.
The president said to several OF his
visitors to-day. I'm discussing the situa-
tion. that he would do everything con-
sistent with the honor and dignity OF
the country TO avert war and that he
stlll believed war could be averted. He
also said that he believed the govern
me1t Of Spain was as anxious for peace
as we were but at the same time he
did not hesitate to admit the gravity
of the situation. The president frankly
acknowledges that he believes the re-
port OF the board OF inquiry Will find
that the Maine was blown up from the
outside.
His programme has been definitely
dec.ued upon. IL is his purpose 10 treat
the blowing up OF the Maine as an in
cident. The report of the board will be
sent 10 congress on Monday. A very
brief message relating the events lead
ing up TO that point and informing con-
gress that the facts contained in the
report have been cabled TO Madrid TO
Madrid to be laid before the Spanish
government by Minister WoOdford will
accompany IL. No demand will be made
before the Spanish government Will
be equivalent 10 calling upon Spain for
an explanation and such action as she
may deem proper.
IL Is the purpose OF the house leaders