Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-03-30
also arrived at the Bsrmudas today. She
is bound for Key West. and will be added
to Capt Sampson's feet.

lS pound Tor Key West, ana Will be addef
to Capt. SIMPSONS feet.
The Joint Board.
Capt. Barker Of the navy and Col. Wag-
ner Of the army. composing the board to
harmonic the action Of the two branches
of the service in preparations for national
defense. are considering the question Of the
best point on the gulf coast for the estab-
lishment Of a base of operations in the
event of war with Spain. The principal
cities under consideration are New Orleans
Mobile and Tampa, and the inquiry is d.
rected particularly toward the railroad ia
cflities for quick mobilization of forces In
the gulf section It is expected that the
determination of this question will be
reached within few days.
In anticipation of favorable action by
Congress on the Hull bill of the reorgan-
ization of the army, the officials Of the War
Department are making arrangements for
putting that measure into effect fmmedi-
ately upon its passage. Plans have been
perfected for putting the infantry arm OF
the service on the proposed three battalion
basis, generally regarded as a most I'M
portant feature of the war footing Of the
army. Arrangements have also been made
for augmenting the military service to 1OO,-
May Need OverhnuIlnx.
Reports received at the Navy Department
indicate that the battle ships Iowa and
Massachusetts, Of the North Atlantic sta.
tion are not in the best possible condition,
and 1t may be found necessary to send
them to a dry deck for an overhauiing.
The hull of the Massachusetts is said to be
so thickly covered with marine growth
that her speed has dropped from sixteen to
eleven knots. The speed of tho Iowa has
also suffered severely on account of the
accumulation of barnacles on her bottom
and it is said she is not capable of more
than fourteen knots an hour. In case 1t is
found expedient and the situation justifies
their departure. 1t is probable that these
two vessels will be locked and their bot
toms scraped and painted
The battle ship Texas, attached to the
flying squadron. is now in dry dock at New
York. A recent examination disclosed that
she had not suffered serious damage by her
contact with the reefs around Tortugas.
The work Of putting her in good repair will
be FASTENED as much as possible, and it is
expected she will return to Hampton Roads
by the end of this week the early part
Of next.
Gently relieved from duty at New York, is
losing no time IN proceeding to her des-
tination. Key West. According TO advices
received at the Navy Department, she ar
rived at Charleston, S. c., yesterday, and
left there this morning for the Florida
port. She will prove q strong addition to
Capt. SIMPSONS squadron in those waters.
COa1inE Stations Needed.
AS has been stated repeatedly, the Navy
Department has in view the acquisition of
coaling station in the West Indies. The
government is now without any coaiinS
station in foreign waters of any conse-
quence, matter OF considerable regret
among naval officers. Ever since the
trouble with Spain has threatened Capt.
Bradford, chief of the bureau of equipment
fully. and has Indicated to Secretary Long
several desirable places in the West Indies
where excellent harbors exist, which, in
his judgment. might be acquired by the
government for the establishment of sta
tions TO supply coal to naval vessels.
One Of these sites is on the Island of St
Thomas, one of the West Indian possess
sions of Denmark, where there are excel
lent facilities for the establishment of a
coaling station. Secretary Long has recog-
nZed the force of Capt. Bradford's argu
ments and representations in the matter
and has laid the subject before the State
Department officials with view to the
acquisition of st. Thomas. 1t Is said at
the Navy Department today that no pur-
chase Of the island has yet been consum-
mated, but that negotiations are under way.