Evening journal., 1898-03-25

maintained the strictest reucence re-
cardiug the conference and refused 10
speak concerning 1t. Following the fo-
tnla announcement important news
came rapidly. The first was this an
nouncerent by Secretary Long, indicat-
ing the placing Of our squadron and
feet on war footing:
Admiral Sicard has been granted
leave. very much to the regret of the
navy department and altogether on ac-
count Of his health. Captain Sampson
has been made commander of the fleet
ct Key West. Captain Evans has been
ordered to take command of the bat
ueship Iowa. The orders TO the squad
ron In Hampton roads have not yet been
issued"
Although the announcement did not
so state, Il soon became known that
Commodore w. s. Schley was slated TO
command the flying squadron. This an
nouncement was recognized at once as
OF unusual Importance at this juncture.
Admiral Sicard has been I'm command
Of the fleet at Key West throughout the
critical period Of the Maine disaster.
Captain Sampson has been in command
Of the Iowa, but more recently has been
conspicuous before the public as presi-
dent Of the Maine court OF inquiry. Cap
tain Robley Evans is better known as
Fighting Bob.
The next important move was a de-
termination TO create a joint commits
sion from the war and navy depart
ments so as to bring them into har-
nonious action on all measures. Cap
tain Barker the naval aid Of Secretary
Long was designated to represent the
Nr lew Of o.
ton. The representative of the war
department has not yet been named.
II will not be necessary for these two
officers to leave Washington. as they
can best arrange a Joint plan OF action
in conference with the bureau chiefs OF
the two departments here.
Then at the close Of day came an an
nouncement that the navy department
had succeeded I'm purchasing eight
steam yachts and four steam tugs, pre-
sumably at or near New York, for use
In the auxiliary naval fleet The boats
IRE about 400 tons each and in an cmer-
sency would be suitable as torpedo
boats. The yachts purchased are among
The aeetest along the Atlantic coast and
are said to be somewhat similar to the
Mayhower, recently purchased Of the
ogden Goelet estate This acquisition
10 the navy is regarded as an exception
llly valuable one at the present time,
as the greatest need Is felt for small
craft suitable as torpedo boats and dis
patch boats There was additional sat
sfaetion at the navy department at the
large number secured in n single pur-
chase. The-name and amounts paid
for the various yachts and tugs are not
disclosed, as II IS said this would prove
an embarrassment to the government
in promoting speculation on other craft
for which negotiations are now pro-
| ceeding.
The navy department was advised OF
the sailing Of the monitor Terror from
New York for Key West. the arrival Of
the Texas at Hampton roads and the
Puritan at Newport News and Of the
monitors Monadnock and Monterey az
San Francisco. The battleship Texas
came up from Key West, making an ex-
ceptionally quick run for a vessel OF
her class.
The Spanish authorities here have
been informed that some time ago Cap
tain Sigsbee asked permission to use
| dynamite In the destruction of the
| wreck Of the Maine. This was refused
~ CAPTAIN General Blanco for the rea.
son, It is officially explained that, a,
there are evil disposed persons who In.
sist that the Maine was blown up from
! external causes, the Spanish authori.
ties do not want the wreck destroyed
as II affords all the evidence obtainablt
| as to the actual cause OF the disaster