New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-03-25
STRAINING EVERY NERVE.
NAVAL PREPARATIONS PUSHED WITH
TREMENDOUS ENERGY.
MARVELLOUS CHANGE QUICKLY WROUGHT IN
THE NATIONS READINESS FOR AN EMER-
GENCY-THE MEASURES FAR MORE
EXTENSIVE THAN THE PUB
Lie is AWARE OF.
Lie is AWARE OF
lBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.

tBY TELEGRAPH TO THE rRiBUSE.l
Washington, March 24-To-day in the Navy
Department there continuous excitement.
and every officer and clerk in the vast establish
ment constantly driven to keep up with the
| extraordinary war preparations AS the situa-
/ zion grows grave official reticence is more
marked. and II is apparent that comparatively
/ few OF the numerous orders and operations are
made known to the public. No adequate appre
citation Of what has been accomplished in the
last three weeks OF the most important meas
ures which have been undertaken can be gained
+ by persons away from Washington. nor is It be-
lieved possible that the country at large is aware
/ Of the deep seriousness which has come over
every Official since the Court Of Inquiry COM
pleted its work and a credible estimate OF It's
findings reached the Department.
II was admitted this afternoon by the highest
officials Of the Department that not single
resource Of the United States was being ignored.
/ that not an American vessel however small
was escaping consd grafton. and that every avail
able force FOR the defence Of the country and for
the punishment Of a possible foe was being
gathered and prepared for rapidly as hu-
man ingenuity and activity could accomplish
that result. The United States not ready
/ for war. but every moment material advances
are being made The most important prellmi-
naries were perfected and a rupture OF peace
would disclose a systematic foundation for de-
fence and offence which would scarcely be pos
sbe IN any other nation on the globe. The ex-
pedents which have been planned. and the
amount Of instruments that have been extempo-
rized for warlike uses would amaze the conserva-
tive countries OF Europe.
MARVELLOUS CHANGE WROUGHT.
1t would also be found that the United States
had changed from unarmed Power suddenly
10 one of the most formidable; that its coasts
had become practically unassaiable. and its feet
had in a single month grown far 10 surpass in
strength that OF any country with which rela-
tons may by any possibility become strained.
This has been done with insignificant sum
/ Of money. and II therefore teaches a more i'm
presslve lesson OF what this Government is capa-
ble Of in case an unavoidable conflict should be
forced upon it.
The formal transfer Of the best adapted reve-
nue. cutters TO the Navy made to-day by
/ Presidential order. This placed nine excellent
vessels fully equipped with we-disciplined Off
/ GERS and crews. directly under naval orders,
7 other vessels and men Of the revenue service
Will be included they needed
This accomplished, attention turned TO
curing the best vessels Of the lighthouse ser
/ vice which are already commanded by naval
officers. and the President decided to trans
fer these from the Treasury TO the Navy
in a day or two, or as soon as less valuable yes
sels can be secured to carry supplies 10 the
I lighthouses which cannot be reached by rail.
Six Of these lighthouse-tenders which are excel
lent modern seagoing vessels. be utilized i'm
mediatey
UNLIMITED RECRUITING AUTHORIZED.
Unlimited recruiting for the Navy was author
lied to-day Recruiting officers at all stations
were instructed TO make efforts to secure good.
healthy men for all purposes, with no restric-
tions as 10 number experience. and 10 waive
all the unmportant qualifications that have
heretofore been demanded in the service. At
least five thousand men are needed as soon as
possible in addition 10 the extra number re-
Gently authorized by Congress Most Of these
are needed for the revenue cutters. lighthouse
tenders and yachts and tugs already ordered.
Ten thousand more VIII be needed If auxiliary
cruisers are pressed into service
The latter vessels will be offcered. in part at
least from the efficient naval militia organiza-
tions. particularly those of the West The
Massachusetts militia battalions will he or
dered IN charge of the monitors Catskin and
I1ehigh as soon they reach Boston. The
New-York and East New-Jersey battalons will
take possession Of the Nahant and the Jason,
ard man them to assist in the defence Of New
York Harbor The Pennsylvania and West
/ New-Jersey divisions Will be ordered out in
I charge Of two monitors in the Delaware, and II
/ IS proposed to send the Montauk from Phlla-
/ delphia TO the Chesapeake. 10 be manned by the
Maryland militia force.
MOBILIZING THE NAVAL MILITIA.
Orders have been prepared 10 mobilize the
naval battalions Of Ohio. Michigan. Illinois and
Missouri. and summon them 10 New-York and
Philadelphia for torpedo tugboat service. and TO
I'll the complement Of officers on the auxiliary
I cruisers These organizations have been warned
70 be ready for the orders. which will be issued
/ the day the cruisers are taken by the Govern
/ ment
THE SQUADRON SOUTH OF CUBA.
! BELIEF THAT THE CINCINNATI AND THE VII,
MINGTON HAVE SAILED FOR KEY WEST
Kingston. Jamaica, March 24.-The United
! States cruiser Cincinnati and the United States
! gunboat Wilmington. without the United States
! gunboat Castine. returned 10 Port Antonio late
/ last night and sailed hour later II IS
/ thought the warships have gone to Key West
| Washington. March 24-The Navy Depart
/ ment is informed Of the departure OF the cruiser
/ Cincinnati and the gunboats Castine ana WI