The record-union., 1898-03-25

had most important sequel in the as
signment of Captain Sampson, present
commander of the Iowa, to succeed
Admiral Sicard in command of the
North Atlantic squadron. This is prob
ably the most important assignment
the department has made in many
months. 1t is due mainly to the find
ings of a medical court now sitting
at Key West. that Admiral Sicard is
temporarily incapacitated for active
duty owing to long continued illness.
Captain Sampson, who now assumes
command of the North Atlantic squad
ron, is regarded as one of the best
equipped officers in the navy, having
seen active service during the civil
war, and since then having occupied
many important positions He is a
high authority on naval ordnance, and
before taking command of the Iowa
was Chief of the Bureau of Ordnance
OF the Navy Department. He is be-
tween % and 60 years of age a student
of naval affairs, and is considered an
officer of exceptional executive ability
The retirement of Admiral Sicard has
the effect of raising Captain Sampson
to the rank of Commodore.
Hardly less important than the an
pointment of Captain Sampson was the
practical determination to place Com
modore w. S. Schley in command of
the fleet now assembling at Hampton
Roads.
The two commands under Commo-
dore Sampson and Commodore Schley
VIII be of equal dignity. and will be
entirely independent of each other for
the present at least
secretary Long stated today that he
had no knowledge of the purchase of a
torpedo boat in Germany 1t was re-
ported that this purchase had been
closed yesterday. but the fact is not
known to the Navy Department
WARSHIPS COMING HOME.
The Navy Department IS informed Of
the departure of the cruiser Cincinnati;
and the gunboats Castine and Will
nington from Port Antonio. Jamaica.
last evening. but officials decline to
state where they are bound 1t is re-
Sarded as probable when heard from
they viii be at Key West or some port
in the United States. They are not
particularly strong ships, and in their
present position they might possibly
1dlI prey TO the more powerful Span
lsh fleet in Cuban waters in the event
OF conflict. The Cincinnati and Cas-
tine were attached to the South At
lanuc squadron. and their withdrawal
Tor service on the home station leaves
the navy without a single representa-
tive IN South American waters lust as
IS the case with the European station
me arrival of the six vessels named
VIII add greatly to the strength of the
home squadron.
AT THE WAR DEPARTMENT.
Senator Proctor of Vermont was one
or the callers at the War Department,
and spent considerable time with Sec
rotary Alger. General Wilson, Chief Of
Engineers. was called in. 1t was said
their conference related to matters other
than those bearing on the general Cuban
situation.
The Secretary's time later was taken
up IN conference with General Wilson.
Chief of Engineers; General Flagler,
Chief of Ordnance and General Greedy,
Chief Signal officer.
An incident Of the general plan of
preparation for any emergency that NAV
ARISE is found IN an order issued to-day
by AdJutant-General Corbin. with the
approva! ofthe commanding General OF
the army. This order directs command
ers at all artillery posts to have com.
piled the best charts possible for the use
OF their respective commands by
detail of officers and men from such
data as may be on hand or readily OBJ