The herald., 1898-03-26
ARE ROUSED BY APPROACH OF
sPAIN's FLoTILLA
THE WARSHIPS AT KEY WEST
Will Be Practically at the Mercy Of
the Small but Swift Torpedo
Boats
Associated Press Special wire

''OA
dering upon concern is manifest among
officials Of the Navy Department over the
movement of the Spanish fleet of torpedo
boats from the Canaries to Porto Rico.
The fotilla is one of the most formidable
of it's kind afloat, and the sending of it to
the West Indies at this time is regarded
as an indication of Spain's endeavor to be
prepared for emergencies near Cuba.
Naval experts are of the opinion that un-
der ordinary circumstances it will take the
fiotilla about ten days to make the journey,
but 1t Is likely that it will require several
days longer.
Naval officials compare the torpedo
boats to race horses trained to nicely.
They are keyed up to high pitch for short,
sharp and decisive work and if overtaxed
are liable to break down. To make the
trip to Porto Rico in ten days absolutely
smooth water would be necessary.
1t Is understood today that some cores
pondence with Spain, through Minister
Polo y Bernabe, concerning the movement
of the flotilla Is not unlikely. The state
ments made yesterday to the effect that
this government might regard the sending
of the fotilla to West Indian waters as an
unfriendly act, inasmuch as it was evident
that the boats were not intended for use
against the Cubans and as matter of fact
could be employed only against a hostile
fleet of warships, was accentuated today,
but what representations, if any, will be
made to Spain, cannot be learned.
In this connection, the announcement
made last evening that the Navy Depart
ment had practically concluded the pur-
chase of several fast yachts, which 1t Is
proposed to transform into torpedo boats,
Is not viewed with entire favor by naval
men. The vessels the department has in
view have speed rate ranging from 16 to
20 knots, while especially designed torpedo
boats have speed OF from "A to 80 knots.
AS against regular torpedo boats the fleet of
''makeshifts." as the proposed purchases
of the government were termed by a naval
official, would cut a comparatively small
however, 1t was conceded that the vessels,
If acquired by the government, would
prove Of distinct value.
Information as to the names of the ves-
sells was refused lest the premature an
nouncement might embarrass the negotia-
tions.
INTENSE FEELING
KEY WEST, March 25.-It was not until
today that the news Of the departure of the
Spanish torpedo boat flotilla from the Ca
nary Islands became known among the ma
val officers here. 1t created intense feel
ing, especially among the officers of the
torpedo boats which are in the harbor. One
of the most prominent Of these officers said
today:
"If the United States allows the Spanish
boats to get to Porto Rico it will be the
biggest mistake ever made. They are a
greater menace to the safety of our fleet
than if all the res of the Spanish navy was
brought to these waters. AT Porto Rico
they will be nearer Key West than Havana.
Only two torpedo boats in our navy would
have any chance of getting away from the
Spanish torpedo boat destroyers. The
Iowa, New York and Indiana, lying out
there, six miles off the land, would practi-
cally be at the mercy Of a dozen Spanish
torpedo boats, which could run over from
Porto Rico in a short time should war be
declared. We have no protected harbors
here and we have not single torpedo de-
stroyer, and unless fleet powerful enough
to be proof against these torpedo boats Is
quickly concentrated in these waters, or
unless the Spanish fotilla is warned to
keep further away, I should judge that 1t
would be better to take every United
States warship as far away as possible
from this menacing force which Spain in
tends to concentrate within such con-
venient distance as Porto Rico.
at is all very well to talk Of peace and
to say that there is no probability of war,
but, at the same time, while international
relations are strained, displays of force
should be met with alacrity, and as tor
pedo expert I must say that IL every ship
in the United States navy was brought into
these waters 1t would be none too formida-
BILE a display when the strength Of the
Spanish fiotila is considered"
PAYING HIGH PRICES
NEW YORK, March PA special to the
Herald from Washington says BY direc-
ton of President Mckinley Secretary
Long spent more than 81, 900 900 Thursday
in the purchase of twelve speedy yachts
and seagoing tugs, which will be at once
converted into torpedo boat destroyers and
picket boats. In directing the purchase of
yachts and tugs, President Mckinley was
guided by the information showing that the
Spanish torpedo boat fiotilla has sailed
from the Canary Islands for Porto Rico.
Before this information came to hand the
authorities were not willing to pay the high
prices asked by the owners of yachts and
tugs which had been inspected and recon-
mended for purchase by the auxiliary
cruiser board, but the necessity of impro-
vising torpedo fleet to Offset that which
Spain is sending to Porto Rico was so ap-
parent that the President authorized that
the negotiations be closed and that the ves-
sells be purchased without further delay.
Secretary Long at once telegraphed to
Captain Rodgers, president of the board,
and received telegram announcing that
the bargains had been closed and that the
vessels would at once be turned over to the
government at the Brooklyn navy yard.
Considerable secrecy Is maintained by the
officials as to the names of the vessels
purchased and the price paid for each, but
it is known that only four tugs have been
bought, while eight yachts have been Sc
cured. Two of the tugs are named Luck
enbach, and it is believed the remaining
tugs were also purchased from the Luck
enbach Towing Company.
1t is also known that two more yachts
purchased are the Alicia and the Hcrmi-
one, and it is said, though the report can
not be confirmed, that the Radha, the Wa
dena and the Corsair have also been ac-
quired. 1t is proposed that the vessels
bought shall at once be sent to the Brook
lyn navy yard, where they will be armored
and their hulls and decks strengthened and
their armament placed aboard. When
completed thew will he sept INN, to1xx =