The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-03-26
SPANS TORPEDO FLOTILLH
STILL CAUSING MUCH UNEAsINESs
AMONG NAVAL OFFICERS.
Commodore SchIey Placed in Com-
mand of the Flying Squadron
Work at War Department.

WASHINGTON, March 25.-While inter-
est was centered at the White House to-
day the Navy and War Departments were
hurrying forward their work of prepara-
tions. The advance of the Spanish torpedo
flotilla continued to receive the closest at
tention of naval officials, and while, so far
as could be ascertained, no definite line OF
action was determined on, the need of iE-
tercepting this fleet was urged by the high
est naval authorities. From the standpoint
of the Spanish government, this movement
many weeks ago. On the contrary, the
Spanish government holds that the exten-
sive armament of the Dry TortugaS is a
more direct hostile act against Spain than
stopping the fotilla, the present attitude
Of Spain tends toward reinforcing it with
other Spanish war vessels, not as a mem
ace but fcom what the Spanish govern
meht feels is a requirement called for by
the existing condition of affairs.
Eardly less suggestive than the approach
of the torpedo fiotilla was the information
received to-day by the highest military au-
thorities that the Spanish government had
hurried to complete extensive fortihca-
tions on the island of Porto Rico. lying
just off Cuba, and the only Spanish pos
session in this hemisphere, other than Cuba.
The exact character of these new defenses
has been known here, and they are being
given weight with the military authorities
as showing the disposition of Spain.
The orders issued by the Navy Depart
ment during the day covered every branch
of naval armament The flying squadron
was definitely established, with Commodore
w. s. Schley in command. He will hoist his
commodore's flag on the flagship Brooklyn
next Monday. The squadron is to consist or
exactly five ships. no more and no less,
despite conjectures as to possible ships that
might be added. Those of the squadron will
be the crack armored cruiser Brooklyn,
the battle ships Massachusetts and Texas,
and the cruisers Columbia and Minneapolis.
Other ships which are now or hereafter
at Hampton Roads will not be of the fly
ing squadron, but will belong to the North
Atlantic station, under Captain Sampson.
The flying squadron is to be small, conf
pact fleet of the best ships in the navy, for
quick service at any point along the At
lantic.
At the same time the North Atlantic sta
ton. under Captain Sampson, is to be fur
ther augmented. The cruiser Cincinnati.
which left Port Antonio three days ago un-
der sealed orders, is to report at Key West
and become a part OF Captain SIMPSONS
fleet. The gunboat Wilmington, also en-
route from Port Antonio. will likewise re-
port to Captain Sampson at Key West, as
well as the gunboat Vicksburg, now at
Hampton Roads. Late to-day the Navy De-
partment gave out the following list of ves-
sells as showing the exact character of each
fleet as it stands to-day:
''The following vessels compose the NortlY
Atlantic squadron: New York, Iowa, Indi4
ana, Miantonomoh, Fern, Puritan, Terror
Marblehead, Montgomery, Dolphin, Cas-
tine, Nashville, Helena, Wilmington, Vesu-
vius, torpedo boats Foote, Dupont, Erics-
son, Gushing, Porter, Winslow. tugs Leyden
and Samoset.
1.-The following vessels compose the flying
squadron: The Brooklyn, Massachusetts,
Texas, Minneapolis and Columbia"
Some of the other more important devei-
opments of the day may be summarized as
follows: Requisitions were made on the Ma
val Ordnance Bureau for large number
of quick-fire four-pounder and six-pounder
guns. TO be mounted on the revenue cutters
and the steam yachts about to be pur-
chased. The bureau determined to use the
quick-fre guns for these craft which had
been originally intended for the Atlantic
liners st. Paul and st. Louis. Captain
Bradford, chief of naval equipment. COM
pleted plans for securing a naval coaling
station in waters south of Cuba, and the
papers are now ready for final action. The
station will not be on Navassa island, as has
been suggested, but is likely to be at one
of the several fine harbors of Haiti or San
Domingo. or else on the Danish island os
St. Thomas. which is open TO purchase from
Denmark for a considerable sum. Late to-
day the battle ship Texas was ordered from
Hampton Roads to the New York navy yard
to receive her machinery for holsting am
munition and gums.
Favorable answers were received from the