Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1898-04-17
RUSHING THE WORK
Double Force of Men En-
p|oyed on the Ships.
NO REST ON THE SABBATH
Cruis RS Finish Coa,ing and the Minncap-
oils Returns TO Old Point. The Role
Local Nlilitiamen May Play
ai In the War.

That there will be momentous time
IN Newport News i'll event Of war witt
Spain cannot be doubtcd-not that tn
roar or Spanish cannon will caus
buildings to tremble, nor that the cl;,t
ter OF Spanish infantry will be hcart
invading the streets, as it is hlrdl,
possible that the Castillians will eve
get within hailing distance of this port
put the drop OF the trip-hamncr ant
the rattle of the hanG-tool making ant
repairing ships of war to meet ant
Vanquish the enemy on the high seas
Will make grim music for the cars O
the residents of this city.
Even the preparations for q probabl,
conflict are causing the shipbuildin.
populace to exert themselves to theil
utmost endeavors day and night, tho
holy Sabbath and the hours of midda,
rest. to get American men-of-war IL
proper fighting shape to sail forth UNI
der the Stares and Stripes and bear
down upon the enemy.
And what may be expected in time OF
actual war?
Hitler would be brought after an
engagement, our ships for repairs and
Tor the placing in hospital which
would be established here, those
who would be wounded in action. And
nlther too, would be brought the
spanish men.of-war. provided they
were not sunk in action, but not with
the Spanish flag flying above. ,..elu
..ild Spanish officers pacing their decks.
but with the Stars and Stripes float
ing from their flagStaffs. and a. guard
OF American marines doing duty on
their decks. Newport News would SEE.
ITS full share of the effects of war. if it
did not experience an attack.
Ihere are now at the shipyard here
s1x naval vessels-the powerful battle
snips hearsarge, Kentucky and I'LL
liols under construction. the auxiliary
cruisers Yosemite and Dixie which ava
being fitted for service, and the hos
pltal ship Solace. The rush work that
IS being done on these ships requires
an army OF men. There will be no ces-
saI1on OF work on the vessels today
Inc ocean greyhounds ST. Louis and
81 faul, Which We're recently purchas
eo Dy the government for conversion
lteo auxiliary cruisers will, it is eS-
pec.ea. come here within the next few
uays 10 pc Tilted out, as this dry dock
IS the only one in the country canahla
OF receiving them. The gallant Can
tain Sissbee will be here to take charee
OF one or them. And, too, a number of
me smaller craft that will comprise the
MOSQUITO feet are headed this wav ~
be putin shape for ...--1s -
ngs..r Newport N 6laee 81 rendez
vous.
So. altogether. there promises to be
a lively time In this new town if there
81 s &. MINNEAPOLIS SAILS.
AAAS ~ oAoSA NAtIucSipollS, WnlCn, TO-
getheI with the cruiser Columbia.
came here Friday evening for coal
welEhd anchor at 4:30 O'Clock yester-
day aternoon and steamed down to
Oldr Pint. pilot did not arrive here
in tim, yesterday to take the Columbia
down he Roads. but she will sail early
this mening. The second class battle
snip !xas and probably the ilagship
Brookya Will arrive here today for
coal.
STATE MILITIA.
Fhsocaf nrihtianen are wondering
what ole the State troops WIFI Irla,y
an tnsVent of war with Spain There
are 1sse who think they Will be dis
patch to Cuba. but under THE eonrsii-
turoptfle President has not the au-
tnorM 10 send the volunteer troops
OF bh State outside OF the Union. for
they a home guard Of course the
j, troopmlgllt volunteer To go TO Curb,
: or TIN might be mustered in the r.-gu-
{ lar sny. but So long as they are
SuaterooIss they must remain on
AHnean soil.
1t probable, however, that the diff
fereneginents would be sent to va
rious,iaits along 1.-THE coast, to assist
the inning and defending the forts.
THE .ctical value of infantry at sea
coasrfenses is apparent. Foot troops
are ecially Useful for picket and
outp, duty
T;hnajoriity OF THE troops of the
regularity win, in all likelihood. be
sent a force ito invade and occupy
C1rbsA small percentage OF these
trainTnen would be retained In the
UnitSt TO guard the coast. The
Statoops might be employed 10 aid
in tanost Important work. AT all
posts where heavy ARTILLERY is TO
he eDyed, besides a large number OF
expetunnerS 10 serve the gums, there
is nsary a force of men for guard
dutyhere is also tbs. grea test need
for e:lve bodies Of troops, TO be used
for 1anting the landing of an enc
mysces. The Number of men in
the. ylar army is now $1,000. line
SuaI forces in Cuba probably NUM-
Der ITO 10000 men. 1T can be seen
tlhatreat part OF the militia or Vol
unteorcss Of the country "ouio We
callet0 service
IA snch sent out from Wash ington
a.eceq stated that in event OF hos
-a2 .lSud1it GENERAL F'itZhugh Lee would be
5@ comaoned by THE President to conn
name Virginia troops. General
Lee ia, i'm aAl probability, want TO
ayadsorces to Cuba, and If he should
comb the Virginia soldiers there Is
mot apany that would refuse 10 go.
So all. the Huntington Rifies
rnayro the real scene OF hostliltaeS.
) TO WAIT FOR coal.
7,nlowing Associated Press dis
,atrs sent out from Old Point las.
nigh +, . o,c,ock
l.Aorning and until : Gu ..
this noon the Brookiyn' deHa IS ai ha
seryaem. This coal had been Or
Sere4 O'Clock yesterday afternoon
whes squadron arrived here and
shoyve been delivered by so,ciock,
Telee messages seemed 10 nave NJ
ef7eH If sudden orders had come
the would have had to put to sea
vita. sufficient complement OF
coal
tracor the United States govern
mcmillan Lamb & Company
aeei Carter. Curren & Builitt, OF
Phi1nia had been busily engaged
loadooo tons of coal upon th !,
1 destfori st. Vincent. Cape Verde
Islainere the Spanish torpedo flo.
ttlla sambled. Officers expressed
their ynNfreely, Commodore Schie,
sayineeF the rumor was true. !
II H., S1, ho c,,f