Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-03-28
MILITARY ACTIVITY
Secretary Long Holds Many Con-
fGrGncGs.
A new FLEET ORGANIZED
Arrival Of Three Warships at Key
West.
WARNING SENT TO HHE OREGON
Some Uneasiness Over a Spanish
Torpedo Boat.
WARNING SENT TO TIE OREGON
NAMING OF NEW BOATS

The President sent to Congress today the
findings of the court appointed to investi-
gate the Maine disaster, with the testimony
taken by the court, together with a mes
sage of transmission.
The message was referred in both houses
to the committees appointed to consider
foreign affairs The House adjourned,
while Senator Money addressed the Senate
on Cuba
A special meeting of the cabinet was held
and messages from Minister Woodford were
considered.
A reply has been received from Spain on
the subject of restoring peace in Cuba. 1t
is understood to be conciliatory.
The Cincinnati. Wilmington and Castine
arrived al Key West.
Commander Elmer was ordered to the
new mosquito fleet organized by the Navy
Department. to comprise the small boats
recently purchased.
Instructions We're sent to the Oregon
speeding down the Pacific coast, to be on
the lookout for the Spanish torpedo boat
day.
The great activity which has prevailed in
all branches of the War and Navy Depart
nents for the past month was apparent
egain today. Particularly was this the case
in the latter department, when Secretary
Long was on hand early holding confer
ences with bureau chiefs and a number of
visitors who had business of Importance
Among the public men who saw Secretary
Long was Senator Frye of Maine. AT 10
O'Clock the Secretary left the department
for the White House and did not return
until o'clock.
There was no additional information at
the department regarding the location of
the Spanish torpedo boat hotilla now ON its
way to Porto Rico from the Canaries, ex-
cep-ing that it was advancing steadily.
The highest naval authorities continue TO
say that this movement is the most for1nid-
able setback TO our preparations for war
that has yet occ Irred.
The Mosquito Fleet.
1t was disclosed for the first time by one
Of the naval orders issued today that the
department has determined upon the form
alton of an additional fleet, to be known as
''the Mosquito fleet" to be composed of
tugs. steam yachts and other small vessels
which may be obtainable. and which are to
be used as a sort of mobile defense of sea-
coast cities. 1t was further developed in
this connection that the naval militia of the
eeveral states will be called upon to man
this auxiliary fleet.
The fact that Admiral Walker cabled
from Nicaragua to the State Department
announcing his departure from Nicaragua
Saturday Tor home revives the speculation.
as to the likelihood of his being placed in
charge of the entire naval operations on the
home station, including the command of
the fleet under Captain Sampson, Commo-
dore Schley's flying squadron and any
auxiliary lines of defense that may be
established.
1t was stated. however. at the Navy De-
partment that Admiral Walkers home
coming is because of the conclusion of the
work OF the Nicaragua canal commission,
of which he is president. and that it was
not hastened because of the present naval
activity. Moreover, the name of Admiral
Buncc, who is still on the active list is
the most frequently mentioned among
naval officers as the one most likely to
be chosen for this supreme command if it
should be determined upon.
Ship Builders Thanked.
Secretary Long has written letter
thanking the Harlan and Hollinssworth
Company of Wilmington, Del. for its
manifestation Of patriotism in hurryins
work on the torpedo boat Stringham and
declining to exact any extra amount from
the government for the additional work
recessitated by the rush orders The COM
pany's action was made known to the Sec
retary in the following letter from H. c.
Morse, the president:
in connection with your telegram urging
the work on the Stringham. 1 beg to ad-
wise you that We are pushing the con-
struction of the boat by working until II
o'clock at night in our machine shop and
in our draughting room have taken OF
about fifty additional men for day work
and have employed special superintendent;
for that boat. We do not expect to make
any claim for extra cost due to the extra
work which We are doing to push the boat
along"
New Boats Named.
Secretary Long today gave names to a
number of the recent additions to the navy
Indian names were selected for the newly
purchased tugs. and the rasnes of stingine
insects Were assigned to the newly &C.
quired yachts which are being transformed
Into torpedo boats.
The torpe1o boat built for the German
navy and recently purchased for the United
States navy has been named the Somers
after the famous brig Of that name which