The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-04-05

department been advised of any de-
velopments in the effort to purchase
warshipS abroad.
No decision has yet been reached by
the authorities as to the location Of the
proposed naval base on the gulf coast
the matter being still under conSidera-
ton.
Secretary Alger has decided to rec
ommend to the president that an addf-
tional allotment from the emergency
fund be made for the use of the ord
nance bureau of the army. The ord
nance department is still lacking am
munition for the sea coast fortifica-
tions, and extra allotments will be used
for this purpose.
It has been decided to detain for a
time at the Chickamauga battlefield the
Twenty-ffth regiment of infantry,
which is about to leave the various
forts in Montana for service at Key
West and Dry Tortugas. The reason
for this action is said to be the fact
that the water supply at either Of the
above named places is not satisfactory
at present. Chickamauga, Gen. Miles
says, is an excellent place for the con-
centration of a large body Of troops.
and it is believed the location has been
seriously considered by Secretary AL
ger as point for the preliminary gath
ering Of troops in case of war.
Fleets MobiIizing.
The navy department was informed
late this afternoon of the arrival Of the
dynamite cruiser Vesuvius at Norfolk
today from Washington.
Reports received at the navy depart
ment today indicate general move
ment for the concentration OF war
ships at Key West and other points on
ocf hot h0
required in the event Of hostilities.
The monitor Terror, the gunooat
Newport and the tug Leyden have ar
rived at Key West The fleet cruiser
Minneapolis has arrived at Newport
News for duty with the flying squad
ron. The gunboat Bancroft, recently
detached from the European station,
arrived at. Boston and will be at once
put in condition for active service. She
is said to be in need of a general over
hauling. The yacht Mayflower, recently
transformed into dispatch boat, has
arrived at Norfolk, and this IS taken
as an indication that she will be as
signed to duty with the flying squad
ron. The revenue cutter Hudson also
has reported her arrival at Norfolk,
where she Is to undergo reconstruction
Into a gunboat.
The torpedo boat Somers, purchased
morning on her way to the United
States. The monitor Mona6nock has ar
rived at Mare Island. The steam col
lier Saturn has arrived at the Brook
Ign navy yard. The yacht Josephine ar
rived at League Island navy yard this
morning, and will be converted at once
into torpedo boat destroyer. She will
be renamed the Vixen.
Gen. Wilson, chief Of engineers, has
taken prompt action for the immedi-
ate utilization Of the additional allot-
ment of $1,OOO,OOO made to his depart
ment by the president. Orders have
been given for the resumption of
work on Notifications, and arrange
ments have been made also for the es-
tablishment of a system Of subma-
rine mines and torpedoes at harbors
along the coast where such means of
defense are deemed essential in case
Of hostilities.
These orders have necessitated a par
tial Encouragement Of the engineer de-
partment as at present organized.
Nearly all the younger members of the
corps engaged in river and harbor
work in the interior have been detached
from such duty for the present and
ordered to report to the officers en-
gagged in Strengthening the defenses of
the coast by the erection of batteries
and submarine mines.