The record-union., 1898-03-27
WAR PREPARATIONS.
Activity Continues in Navy and
War Departments.

Activity Continues in Navy and
War Departments.
WASHINGTON, March &c. - The
Navy Department issued orders too day
placing officers in command of a num.
Der Of the single-turreted monitors
which have recently been called into
service. The commanders are drawn
from the faculty of the United States
Naval Academy at Annapolis and fro'1,
the Steel Inspection Board. Lieutenant
r. C. Peck will command the monitor
Lehigh, which is to so to Boston; Lieu
tenant W. H. Irwin the Montauk. which
goes TO Portland, Me: Lieutenant Fl.
F. Fickbohm the Jason, which Will so
to New York: Lieutenant c. S. Rich
ards the Nahant. which goes to New
York, and Lieutenant NJ A Hull the
Catskill, which GOES to Boston. These
naval officers viii be aided by officers.
and men from the naval militia of Mas
sachusetts, New York. New Jersey and
elsewhere. The monitors are still! at
tho League Island Navy Yard, being
Quilted as raoidly as possible, and re-
ports received at the Navy Department
indicate that they will be ready to pro-
ceed in from ten days to three weeks
Another order issued by the Navy
Department to-day assigns Lieutenant
Y. Noel lat once TO command the Nezin-
scott" a fine new tug which Will be
used as a supply boat. She is at New
York, and when Lieutenant Noel takes
command she viii proceed to Key West
to further augment the fleet there.
The assignment of Lieutenant J. j.
n nd Of
Rodgers was announced to-day The
Rodgers recently made her trial run
from Baltimore to Norfolk, but she has
not formally been accepted, although
the assignment of a naval command tC
her foreshadows her acceptance, and
she will be doubtless added to the fleet
already at Key West
LIEUT.. -COMAiANDER MARK.
Secretary Long had an early confer
ence today with Senator Hale, Chair
man OF the Senate Naval Affairs Com
nlittee.
The Secretary also had talk with
Lieutenant-Comm Mark judge
Advocate OF the Maine Court of IN
qliiry. Mr.. Mark spent most Of tho
morning at the Navy Department con
ferring with the Judge Advocate Gen
eral and with Captain Crowninshield
Chief Of the Bureau of Navigation. He
maintained strict reticence. He has
taken 4 desk in the Judge Advocate
| Generals office and will remain ir
| Washington while the report of tho
Court of Inquiry is under consideration
BY the President and the Cabinet. with
view to answering Inquiries which
may be made
THE FLYING SQUADRON.
The Navy Department has been ad-
vised to-day that the monitor Terror haC
Key West. where she will join Captain
SIMPSONS squadron. The VicksbuTa
/ has also reached Hampton Roads
The flying squadron will not complete
its organization until the middle OF the
latter part of next week, although It's
nucleus will be at Hampton Roads whec
Commodore Schley hoists his Dennant
on the flagship Brooklyn next Monday
At that time the Brooklyn and Massa-
chusetts will be the only ships OF 1ht
flying squadron, the Texas being al the
/ New York navy yard to receive l.el
ammunition hoistS. while the cruisers
Columbia and Minneapolis are expected
/ to be ready to leave League Island navy
yard in time to reach Hampton Roads
about the middle of next week. BY The
end of next week the flying squadron
Will be complete in it's organization OF
ships, men and armament
COLOR OF WARSHIPS.
Secretary Long has deferred to the
judgment Of Assistant Secretary
Roosevelt as to the color which the
vessels of the navy are to be painted
Yesterday it was announced that the
snowy white, which has been the dis
tinctive color which has given the
name to the naval squadrons of the
United States, was to be changed tc
piratical black. To this color some
objection was made by naval officers
as it was thought to afford too strik-
ing a target fer an enemy's gun. AS
sistant Secretary Roosevelt this morn
ing had a conference with Captain
Crowninshield, Chief of the Bureau OF
Navigation, at which Mr.. Roosevelt
announced that he would leave the
matter of painting the ships to the
squadron commanders. and orders tc
that effect viii be promulgated. II
seems quite likely that the color tt
/
ers will be a dull lead. That color will
furnish a poor target. and the vessels
will not be discernible, it is said. at SC
great distance at sea.
TWO MORE WAR VESSELS.
The Government to-day acquired two
small. vessels. One of them is an ocean
tug, and both of them will be en-
ployed as provisional torpedo boats.
The Navy Department declines to
make public the names of the vessels.
ENLISTMENT OF NAVAL, RF-
CRUITS
In order to expedite the enlistment
of men for the naval service. which
has not been quite SO successful as de-
sired. owing to severe requirements.
the Navy Department to-day issued an
order waving the requirements as tic
hight in the case of all landsnler and
mess attendants This applies to all
| the recruiting stations.
SECRETARY ALGER KEPT BUSY.
The office of Secretary Alger was
lively during the morning. An unusu-