The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1898-04-02
THE NAVAL PREPARATIONS
lTINNEAPOlIS TO JOIN FLEET IN
HAMPTON ROADS TO-DAY.

lTINNEAPOLIS TO JOIN FLEET IN
HAMPTON ROADS TO-DAY.
With Her the Swiftest Group of Warships
Ever Gathered in One Command VIII be
Assembled Under Commander Schley's
Flag-General Order Issued to the Naval
Militia of the Various States-Connecti-
cuts Answer Received in Washington
1t is That This States Militia Awaits tho
Orders of the President.
Washington, April 1.-The flying
squadron is to remain in Hampton
Roads for the present at least. This
announcement was made late this af-
ternoon by Secretary Long and set at
rest the reports current throughout the
day that movement Of the squadron
was imminent. The secretary stated
that the department believed that the
present rendezvous of the squadron
was the most available one from which
ships under Commodore Schley could
operate in carrying out the purpose for
which it was formed, that is the pro-
lection of the north Atlantic seaboard.
He added that no orders had been is
sued to Commodore Schley and that
none were in immediate contemplation.
tion.
Importance of Flying squsdron.
In the various phases of the situa-
tion to-day the flying squadron stood
out prominently both as a center of
public interest and in connection with
rumored orders of it's sailing from the
Roads, and also as matter of con-
sideration by the department 1t is
stated on reliable authority that the
department discussed the question of
ordering the ships to sea- presumably
though not officially so stated, on ac-
count of the Spanish torpedo f1otilla,
which has Just arrived at Porto Rico.
1T has been on open secret that the
naval authorities have regarded the ap-
proach of the Spanish flotilla with APP
prehension. After considering the mat
ter, however, it was decided that no
orders would be issuel looking to the
movement of the squadron. While the
decision is understood to have been
based primarily upon the fact that it
would be unwise to remove the ships
from their present valuable strategic
position, yet it is believed that diplo-
matte consideration also had some
weight. 1t was pointed out that the
sending Of the squadron in the direc-
tion of the West Indies, even though
it's mission were not to intercept the
fiotilla, would be regarded as a hostile
act not warranted by the present con-
dition Of affairs.
The Swiftest of Fleets.
1t is also understood that it was
deemed wise not to permit any move
ment of the flying squadron whatever
just at present as public interest being
so largely conferred upon it, such a
movement would be liable to niscon-
struction and give rise to rumors which
would tend only to aggravate the sit
uation. The flying squadron will be
completed tomorrow with the arrival
and then the swiftest group of war
ships ever gathered in one command
will be assembled under Commander
Sch1ey's flag.
The following letter was sent to gov
ernors of states on the coast having
naval reserves: 1.-THE department re-
quests that you Immediately proceed
to put the naval militia of your state
in thorough condition to meet any sud
den call for their service by the presi-
dent Of the United States. The divi-
sions should be recruited to their full
strength. A careful inspection should
be made of all vessels In the ports Of
your state that can be utilized for a.
MOSQUITO fleet in accordance with in
structions and blanks sent to the ad-
jutant general"
Connecticut Reserves Ready.
A similar letter was sent to the off,
cials of states on the lakes. Late this
afternoon the secretary OF the navy re-
ceived telegram from the adjutant
general of Connecticut, stating that the
governor desires him to notify the de-
partment that naval battalion of Con-
necticut is in readiness and is await
ing orders from the president.
Sailing of vizcaya and Oquendo.
The navy department received infor-
nation to-day that the Vizcaya and
the Oquendo, which have been lying
at Havana, had left that port Their
destination is not known, but there is
reason to believe they have gone to
join the torpedo hotilla. Captain
Humphreys, one of the wreckers on the
Maine returned from Havana and was
escorted by Secretary Long to the cab
met meeting. There is still some hope
that after the magazines are recovered
from the wreck dynamite may be used
to free the forward part, after which
the stern Of the Maine could be raised
Assistant Secretary Roosevelt when
asked the question direct regarding the
purhase of yachts by Spain, said he
could not answer
ORDERS TO NAVAL RESERVES,