The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-07-25
WATsoN's FLEET.
Work Mapped Out for the Commodore
-TrOons May AccomDany Him.


ST. LOUIS, July 24.-The Washington cor
respondent of the Republic says: The most
important of recent Developments in the
American campaign occurred Saturday,
when the war board and the President, aft
er consultation, practically decided to send
a part of the army with the Eastern squad
ron. This squadron will leave for the Ca
naries and Spain after Porto Rico is well
invested. There are two strong reasons for
sending troops to the Canaries. First, as
Watson's mission cannot be performed in a
short time, and, as he may prowl about the
Spanish coast for weeks, base of supplies
nearer to the scene Of his activities than
any place in the United States or Cuba is
necessary: second as the United States has
definitely decided to take at least one of the
Canary islands for permanent naval base,
there will be no opportunity of Selling and
occupying the islands other than is offered
by Watson's prospective trip East The
Navy Department, incidentally, is anxious
to round out it's record by the destruction
of every one of Spain's war ships and Ca
mara's squadron is all that is left
The occupation of the Canaries by the
United States is almost certain to arouse
popular sentiment in Spain to such an ex-
tent that Caynara will not be permitted to
follow his original plan-that of hugging
the interior of some lanG-locked harbor off
the peninsula, but will be forced to go to
the rescue of the newly seized island so near
to the Spanish coast the Navy Depart
ment has no doubt of Camaras destruction
as a result of this vancouver. The reports
indicate that there are 10000 or 10000 Span
ish troops in the CanarieS and it is, there
fore, likely il the present plan is pursued
that American troops to the number of 1900
or Is 900 will be sent as an army of occupa-
ton The ultimate destination of Watson's
squadron is the Philippines.
Every effort will be made by the Navy
Department during the next few weeks to
put the armor clads of the next Atlantic
squadron in the best possible condition. In
structionS were given to Rear Admiral
Sampson Saturday. In accordance with
from service off Santiago and ordered to
New York. AS result of the terrific blasts
Of the twelve-inch guns of the Texas, fired
across her decks, the wood has been torn
and splintered, and she is to be placed in
dock at the Brooklyn navy yard to have
her injuries repaired Following the Texas,
tom scraped and painted and receive repairs
to her eight-inch gun mounts. 1t will be re-
called that during the run of the armored
cruiser Brooklyn from La Guayra, Venezue-
la to Hampton Roads, just before the war.
Captain Cook tested her eight-inch gun
mounts, the result being that the mounts
vtTo shaken and injured to such an extent
that extensive repairs were necessary. The
Iowa's mounts are said to have been in
jured in the, same way, as they are the du-
plicates of those of the Brooklyn. Besides
having her mounts in a poor condition, re-
pairs Will have to be made to the Iowa
plates, which were penetrated by Spanish
shells. The damage done to the Indiana s
staterooms by the explosion of a Spanish
vii. be locked and cleaned The Massachu-
sets will come north after she has con-
yyGyed the troop SHIPS n TO Fa a 1r, Porto
Brooklyn will be given due attention.