The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-04-14
Captain SiGsbee to BE Placed i'm Conn
mand of One and Captain Good
rich to- Take the other.
FLYING SQUADRON" At Sch
ORDERED TO TAKE A "PRACTICE
CRUISE" OUTSIDE THE CAPEs.
Conference at Which General Lee
Told About the Defenses of Ha-
vama-MOvements of Troops.

WASHINGTON, April 13-This was day
of stirring activity at the Navy and War
Departments. Anticipating decisive action
by Congress, the machinery of the military
and naval branches of the government was
early put in motion and events of grave
every bureau the work of preparation went
ON with an enthusiasm and rush that was
in marked contrast to the lethargy that had
characterized the big granite building since
Monday With it all there was an added
secrecy and reticence on the part of ofiicia Is
to discuss the warlike movements.
The first event to become known was the
acquisition by the Navy Department of the
American line steamships ST. Louis and st.
Paul, and coupled with the announcement
came the information that in all probability
Captain Sigsbee would be placed in COM
mand of one and Captain Goodrich of the
other Early in the forenoon the naval
strategic board went into session and called
Consul General Lee into the conference.
The session was long one, and was de-
voted to a thorough discussion of the Of
fensive and defensive movements in Cuban
waters, General Lee being able to give the
board much valuable information regarding
the defenses of Havana.
Crowding close on the heels of these
events was the news that the flying squad
rom had raised anchors and put to sea.
This fact caused intense excitement in all
quarters, and finally ELECTED the official
H.
gone to sea for a short practice cruise.
There was an evident anxiety on the part of
officials for news of the various Spanish
fleets, but up to a late hour tonight no
word had been received of any movement
in that quarter. 1t was rumored that the
Spanish vessels at Porto Rico had sailed,
but this could not be confirmed. AT the
War Department various details attendant
on the prearranged plans for moving the
troops were put in shape, but matters in
this regard are so we'll in hand that no new
orders were issued.
THE FLYING SQUADRON"
Despite the utmost precaution it de-
.yeloped shortly before noon that the flying
squadron had been ordered to move from
Hampton Roads. The first report was that
the squadron would sail under sealed or
ders, going south and occasioned much ex-
element. Appreciating that deep signifi-
canoe was likely to be attached to the move,
a quieting and stationary semi-official
statement was made that the squadron
would go out for a practice cruise of forty
eight hours. At first Secretary Long would
neither affirm nor deny that the squadron
was about to move, stating that a positive
rule had been made not to mention any
projected naval movements. There were
limitations, however, that the movement
was not significant as a prospective war
measure, and was more in the line of CIV
ing the restless officers and men of this
squadron something to do for few days.
Moreover, the brief practice cruise prob
ably will take the squadron outside the
capes, where they can be reached easily by
a dispatch boat if it becomes evident that
they are needed for offensive or defensive
purposes at some other point. The Flying
squadron" is made up of the pick of our
naval vessels in point of speed and effect
iveness.
Probably the most significant action at
the Navy Department was the issue of in
structions to the naval auxiliary board at
New York for the immediate purchase of
the ocean greyhounds ST. Paul and ST.
Louis, of the American line. the purchase
of another first-class auxiliary cruiser
probably the Yorktown, of the Old Domin-
ion line, and the purchase of the Brazilian
cruiser Nictheroy. The last named vessel
is about to be inspected, and the result
will determine the question of her acquire
ment by the United States navy. The pur-
chase of the St. Paul and the ST Louis is
probably the most expensive transaction
consummated by the Navy Department
since the beginning of the war excitement
These vessels cost over $2.O000O0 each and
are regarded as among the best vessels of
that class in the world being exceeded in
speed only by the Kaiser Wilhelm der
Crosse, of the German line and the Luz
cania and Campania, of the English line.
Their impressment into the naval service
is authorized by the act under which they
We're granted subsidy for carrying the
United States mail.
The amount paid for them is official
secret, but 1T Is known to be somewhere
In the neighborhood of S5,00O,C00 The ST.
Paul left southampton on the 9Th instant
and is due in New York on the 18th instant
The steamer st. Louis is at the English
port, and the date of her return is not
stated. These vessels will be armed and
armored at the New YORK navy yard and
put in condition for naval service as rapid
ly as possible. They probably will be used
mainly as transport ships or as commerce
destroyers, most probably the latter, as
their speed and power makes them especial
ly adapted for such service.
sIGSBEE WILL GET ONE
Captain Sigsbee. the hero of the Maine,
and Captain Goodrich, president Of the Nav
al War College, have been practically
agreed on by the Navy Department as the
two officers 10 take command of the crack
vessels. The assignment Of Captain Sigsbee
has been awaited with great interest. for
both the President and Secretary Long have
been anxious since the commander of the
Maine arrived in Washington to give him
one of the best posts in the naval service
If battle ship or cruiser had been avail
able he would have received a command
ere this. The order has not been officially
announced, pepsiing the actual purchase OF
the ships.
The report made by the Rogers auxiliary
board for tho armament Of these Sfeanars