Evening star., 1898-03-26
THE REGION OF NAVAL. ACTIVITY.

ndmeo Will De ready Tor sea at Hampton
Roads before the end-of next week, at
least several days before the Spanish fleet
can possibly reach its destination.
1t has~also been urged that the entire
North Atlantic squadron. now assembled
rear Key West, be utilized for preventing
the approach Of the Spanish fotilla to Por-
to Rico, but this plan is not regarded favor
ably. inasmuch as 1t would leave the south
| ern coast of the United States entirely un-
| protected. In view OF these considerations
1t Is understood that the administration has
| practically abandoned all idea of prevent
ing the approsch of the Spanish f1otilla,
and will leave the settlement of that ques-
tion to the future. Developments within
the next few days Involving "a possible
rupture OF the present friendly relations
between the United States and Spain will
determine the failure policy of this govern
ment with respect to the Cuban question.
NAVY. DEPARTMENT OPERATIONS.
Organization Of the Flying squad
Secretary Long had an early conference
today with Senator Hale. chairman of the
Senate naval Committee, lasting over half
| ar hour. The Secretary then had talk
| with Commander Mark. judge advocate of
the Maine court of inquiry Mr.. Mark
spent most of the morning at the Navy De-
partment comforting with the, Judge ad-
vocate general and the chief of the bureau
of navigation He maintained the strict
reticence he has shown ever since the re-
port of the court was confided to his care.
He has taken dssk in the judge advocate
generals Office. and will remain in Wash
ington whieorhe 4eport of the court of in
quiry is undet consideration by the Presi-
dent and cabfnet,dY view to answer
ing any inqutsnes, (which may be made.
The Navy Department was advised today
tnat the moff tor Terror had arrived at
Hampton Rosaas "a the way to Key wes..
where she wiz Join Captain Sampsons S
squadron. The iVicksburg has also reached
Hampton RoHas s9e from cruise ir the West
Indies. -ih4 .'i-'''' y has.
The flying sauadspn viii not complete its
crganizatio Duntik the middle or latter
Fart of next1weelR although the nucleus
will be at Hamptbn Roads when Comlao-
dore sehley Aoists bis, pennant on the flag
ship BrooklyHs next Monday. At that time
the Brooklyn and, Massachusetts will be the
only ships OF 'othe prospective i"fying
squadron present, the Texas being at the
New York navy yard to receive her am
munition ilosts while the cruisers Column
bia and Minneapolis are expected to be
ready to leave League Island navy yard
In time to reach Hampton Roads about the
middle Of next week. Already men and
supplies have been forwarded to Hampton
Roads for the TWO cruisers of this squadron.
Sixty sailors have gone on from the old
ship Michigan. stationed at Erie, and sew
enteen coal passers from the receiving ship
Wabash at Boston. These men are now
at LeagIe Island, and will be distributed
between the cruisers Minneapolis and CO.
lumbia. BY the end Of next week the fly
ing squadron will be complete in its organ
ization of ships, men and armament. and
ready for any service it may be called on
to perform.
The government has acquired two small
vessels. the contracts for the purchase of
which were closed last evening. One Of
them is an ocean tug. and both of them
VIII be employed as provisional torpedo
beats. Tne Navy Department declines to
make public the names of the newly ac-
Quired vessels.
Destination of the Oregon.
1t is understood at the Navy Department
today that no additional orders have been
sent to the battle ship Oregon, which sail
ed several days ago from San Francisco
The instructions to her commander were
to wait orders at Callao. and it is likely
that just prior to, the time she is due at
that port orders will be sent to her. Upon
these orders her future movements will de-
pend. 1t is now deemed more than likely
in view of the present emergency, that the
vessel, which is one Of the finest In the
navy. will be ordered to proceed around
the Horn and up the east coast of South
America. Whether she will be attached to
the squadron of Commodore Sampson at
Key West, in the: OF her coming into
the Atlantic, has not yet been decided; but
that will be probably the disposition made
OF her.
In order to expedite the enlistment of
men for the naval, service, which has not
been quite so successful, owing to severe
requirements. the Navy Department today
issued an order waving the requirements
az to height in the case of all landsmen
and mess attendants. This applies to all
the recruiting stations, including that at
the Washington navy yard.
Some. Pi9qpehie Assisnments.
Commander Willism H. Emory, at pres
ent a pembert Of .the board of inspection
and survey. wfs, H. conference with the
officials Of the NavSh Department today. It
fs generally AndsEsfood- that this officer
will be assigned tao the command OF the
An erican lineyn Stnt Louis. in case that
vessel is addedn tat4he auxiliary navy, OF
which there appeassi to be a very reason-
able prospect, oand.ie rs supposed that his
business at the, dstartment today related
to that matteE k3puIar. gossip in naval
circles ID to thesefseet that Commander w.
H. Brownson also h member of the board
Of inspection and safveyi Is booked for the
command of tfes Paul. of the same
steamship line.e soinmander Brownson Is
row In Europe negotiating for the purchase
of warships. ~ iss4
Two vesseHs In Commission,
The Navy Department Is informed that
the dispatch boat Dolphin ana The yacht
Nayfiower have be1n placed IN commission
at the New Yetk navy yard. The Dolphin
win shortly proceed to Key West tor use
by the commander Of, the North Atlantic
squadron a. . dispatch boat, and the Nav
flower WIN probably be sent to Hampton
Roads for use IN s-sinilar capacdty BY the
oMcer In command of that point unless il
should be decided @ nse her a. torpedo
boat destroyeE = u = =!
Telegraphac EaealatfeA Iacreasea.