The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1898-03-29
IS HANDED TO president
RE TRANSMITTED TO CONGRESS MONDAY
Admiral Sicard Granted Leave and Captain
Sampson Made Commander al Key West
Captain Evans Takes Command OF
the Battle Ship Iowa.

aSilnGtDl. II. -, AIdItII Il ~
last day before the arrival Of the report
of the Maine Court Of Inquiry was one
of uncXampIeI activity III all oflclal
ouarters. .Adviccs came early that the
Spanish torpedo flotiIla had sailed from
the C:anarieS for Porto Rico and from
THIS moment the most energetic War-ilke
measures followed one another III con-
slant Succession. The movement Of tins
fleet had been watched with the Keen
est interest. as it was felt to involve Sc
riors possibilities which might compel
the United States government to protest
against the movement rs ~ llpsffte
character. Immediately on the receipt
of the official dispatch from one OF our
Naval attaches abroad, briefly announc-
ing the sailing of the fleet. the fact WAS
made known to the President and an
earnest conference was held between
HIM and Secretary Long and Assistant
Secretary Roosevelt. The seriousness of
the movement was fully considered and
the President was advised that Naval
~Strategi>ts regarded it Is ssentla that
this torpedo fleet should not be allowed
to reach western waters. What, if n
CtDlfCittSloIl was 1tfttlltd. - - NJ H.
Later i'm the day the Spanish Minister,
Senior Bernabe. called at the State De
partment and spent some time with
Judge Day. 1t was naturally inferred
that the approach of the Spanish tiotilla
was one the subjects referred to.
Whether. however. there was any sus-
ce<tion against this move was not dis
closed by either Judge Day OF the Span
ish Minister. both of whom maintained
the st1ictcst reticence regarding their
conference.
Following the flotilla announcement.
important news came rapidly. The first
was this announcements by Secretary
Long indicating the placing of our squad
ron and fleet Oh Il wal footing:
".Admiral Sicard has been granted
leave. very much to the regret of the
Navy Department. ON account of his
health.
Captain Sampson has been made
Commander of the fleet at Key West.
Captain Evans has been ordered to take
command Of the battle ship Iowa.
The orders to TIE squadron in Hamp-
ton Roads have not Yet been issued"
Although the announcement did not
so state. it soon became known that
Commodore W. S. Schlcy was slated to
command the flying squadron
This announcement was recognized rs
of unusual Importance at this juncture.
Admiral Sicard has been in command
of the fleet at Key West throughout tho
critical period of the Maine disaster
Captain Sampson has beer in command
of the Iowa, but more recently has been
conspicuous before the public as Iresi-
dent of the Maine Court Of Inquiry.
Captain EobIey Evans is better known
rs "Fighting Bob
The next important move was 4 de.
termination to create Il joint commission
from the War and Navy Departments
so aS to bring them into harmonious ac
ton on all measures. Captain Barker
of the Naval Aide Of Secretary Long
was designated to represent the Navy
Department i'll this common plan of &c
ton. The representative Of the War De
partmcnt has not vet been named. i
will not he necessary for these two or
ticcrs to leave Washington as they car
best arrange Il joint plan of action il
conference with the bureau chiefs O
the two departments here. Then Il
the close of day came an announcement
that the Navy Department had succeed
ed III purchasing eight steam yachts an
four steam tugs, presumably at an
near New York. for use III the auNiliar,
ava lttt. IIt pttlo IL tttolt Io'
tons each and III an emergency woul'
be suitable as torpedo boats. The yacht
purchased are among the ~fleetest alon:
the Atlantic coast and are said to b
somewhat similar to the Mayf1ower re
Gently purchased of the Ogden Goeies cS
tate. This acquisition to the Navy
regarded as an exceptionally valuable
one at the present time. as the creates
need is felt for small craft. suitable Il
torpedo and dispatch boats. The name
and mounts paid for the various yacht
and tugs are not disclosed.
throughout the day the White Hous
presented an animated appearance
Senators and Representatives from bot
political parties calling to confer with tn
President. Among the callers were Sci
;ltors Cullonl. Fairbanks. Lodge, AlC
rich, Jones of Arkansas. and Spoonel
and Representative Bailey. the Demo
cratic floor leader in the House Of Rel
resentativcs. The uppermost queStio
at all the conferences was the Main
disaster and the anticipated action G
the President in laying the report hefor
Congress. The conferences showed thu
tho President still hoped for peace. bu
that there would he no abatement {
preparation to meet the other alternf
tive.
Inc IfeSlHe1t sand to several OF h
visitors to-day. in discussing the stu;
ton, that he would 10 everything cons;
tent With the honor ana di-inGy Of ii
country to avert war il he still u
leyed war could he avcrtal. He aE
said that he believe the GOVERNING,
of Spain was as anxious for peace as "
were. but at the same time ne did n,
hesitate to admit the gravity of the II
uation. The President frankly acknaN
edges that he believes the rapcat of II
Board of Inquiry will find that ii
Maine was blown I'D from the 0utsid
Ills program has Eean definitely dnciuc
1t is his purpose to treat The blown
ND of the Maine as iii incident. T.
report of the board will - sent to CO
yress on Monday with Il v"".r brief M
sage. relating The events leading mp
that point and informing Congress til