The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-03-26

On the contrary, the Spanish government
holds that the extensive armament OF the
Dry Tortugas is more direct hostile act
against Spain than any movement OF the
fIotilla. Instead OF stopping the flotil'a,
the present attitude OF Spain tends toward
re-entorcing II with other Spanish war
vessels. not as a menace, but as from wnae
the Spanish government feels is require
ment called for by the existing condition
OF affairs.
Hardly less suggestive than tho APP
proach OF tho torpedo flotslla was the in
formation received today from the hishes.
military authorities that the Spanish gov
eminent had hurried to completion extern
sive Notifications OF tho Island OF Puerto
Rico, lying Just off Cuba, and the oniy
Spanish possession In this hemisphere
other than Cuba. The exact character OF
these new defenses has been made known
here and they are being given weight with
tho military authorities as showing the po-
sition OF Spain.
The orders issued by the navy depart
ment during the day covered every branch
of naval armament. The flying squad
rom was definitely established with COM
modore w s. Schley In command He VIII
hols, his comnodore's flag on the flagship
Brooklyn next Monday. The squadron ~
to consiFt of exactly five ships, despite
conjecture tha, there might be. more ships
added. Thqa o! the squadron VIII ne inc
crack armorcd cruiser Brooklyn, the bat
tleships Massachusetts and Texas ana the
Columbia and Minneapolis. Other shlps
which are now OF hereafter at Hampton
Roads will not be OF the flying squadron
but will belong to the North Atlantic sta
ton under Captain Sampson. The lyinS
squadron is to be a small, compact fleet OF
the best ships OF tho navy, for quick ser
Vice at any point along the Atlantic.
AT the same time, the North Auahuo
sauadron, under Captain Sampson, Is TO be
further augmented The cruiser cincln-
natl. which left Port Antonio three days
ago under sealed orders. In to reach Key
West and become part OF Captain safnp'
scn's fleet. The gunboat Wilmington, en-
route from Port Antonio, VIII likewise re-
port to Captain Sampson at Key West ns
will The guuboat Vicksburg, now at Hamp-
ton roads.
Late today the navy department gave
out the following l'st OF vessels as showing
the exact character Of each fleet as II
stands to-day:
| Following ycssels comprise the North
Atlantic suuadron, New York. lcwa, In
diara. Mianonomoh Fern, Puritan Ter
| ror, Marhlchead. Montgomery. Dolphin
| rastne. Nashville. Helena. Wilmington,
| yesuyius. torpedo boats Fcote. Dupont,
| Ericsson, Gushing. Porter Winsiow. tugs
| Lryden and samoset.
The following vesnels compose the flying
squadron. Brooklyn. Massachusetts,. Min
nearollH. Texas and Columbia.
somo OF the other more important de-
yelopments OF the day may be summarized
| as follows:
| Reauisitiens were made on the naval
ordnance bureau for n large number OF
quick fire 4-pounder and G-pounder guns,
| to be mounted on the revenue cutters and
the steam yachts about 10 be purchased.
TIE bureau determined TO use the quick
| fire guns for these craft which had been
originally intended .cr the Atlantic liners
st. Paul and 81. Louis.
Captain Bradford, chief Of naval equip
ment. completed plans for securing naynl
coaling station In waters south Of Cuba
and the papers are now rsady for tlna
action. The station will not be on Nayassi
Islam as has been suggested. but Is iikel,
TO be at enc OF the harbors OF Hayti o.
| San Domingo or elsewhere on the panisi
Island OF st. Thomas which is open Il
purchase from Denmark for n consider
able sum.
Late today the battleship Texas was cr
dercd from Hsmpto Roads TO the New
York navy yard TO receive her machintr.
for holsling ammunition and guns.
Favorable answers were received fron
the New York militia Of their read!ncs
on short notice to supply officers and IN y
to handle the single turreted monitors nov
called into service.
Orders We're issued today TO have al
the yarships painted black. a calor tina
s, better adapted 10 hostilities besaus'
the vessels will not afford as good target
|, The navy department Was Informed 2
cabiegram from Lieutenant Coiweil, nave
attache 10 the United States embassy q
London. that agents OF this Governmsn
had purchased "schisehau' TORPEDO ros
which had been constructed for the Gsr
man government. The new acquisition !.
!. Of the general type Of German torpen
. boats and Is regarded IS valuable aaai