The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-04-04
Ready to Move from Hampton Roads
at a Moments Notice When the
Battle Ship Texas Arrives.
NAVY AND WAR DEPARTMENTS
STILL HURRYING PREPARATION
FOR DEFENSE AND ATTACK.
New Cruiser PuTchased in England
Said to BE Good VesseI-Nava1
Militia Getting Ready.

(Staff Correspondence of the Associated Press.)
HAMPTON ROADS. April 3.-The prac
teal completion of flying squadron of
the American navy by the assignment of
Commodore w. S. Schley to take charge.
and his acceptance as marked by his active
operation Of Monday last, is an epoch-mak-
ing event in the history of the present diff
Guilty. No other action Of this government
since the Maine disaster so actively deter
mines the fact that actual warfare has been
expected. The North Atlantic squadron is
always organized, and the appointment of
Captain Sampson to it's command is but the
natural sequence of the retirement of Rear
Admiral Sicard from active duty. So, too,
the assignment of ships of war to that
squadron or to the Pacific squadron are but
moves towards mobilization that might oc
cur at any time; but flying squadrons"
are the direct outcome of dangerous war
conditions; are not necessities of standing
navieS in time of peace, and are eXpedi-
tons of an extraordinary nature created
only when the government fully decides
that there is fear of attack or that the
time is ripe for an attack from here. 1t is,
therefore, not only possible, but highly prob
able, that the new American flying squad
ron" has work cut out for it.
The fleet partially gathered and altogether
proposed; that will bear this euphonious
title is one of the most formidable that can
be gathered together by any nation
Realistically in favor of the United States
as that statement may be the facts bear
it out. In average rate of speed, in armored
protection, in calibre and number of guns,
and in fighting quality and discipline of
men, it be proven that the composition
of this flying squadron is superior, point of
numbers being equal, to any organization
of like nature to be formed by a foreign
power.
When, on Monday. morning, Commodore
Schley raised his flag on the Brooklyn, evil
dence of an unmistakable character was ap-
parent that every man from stoker to COM
mandant was not only fearless of battle, but
courted it and hoped it would come. The
small calibre gun that fired the commo-
dore's salute with blank cartridges sang out
a high pitched paean of welcome and peace
about the land-locked water of Hampton
Roads, where thirty-five years ago the
Monitor and Merrimac fought their terrible
battle; but as the smoke blew by, in every
eye was the kndling spark of vengeance
for fellow seamen hurled to death and the
hope that the cannons tenor note might be
changed to the dreadful one of war; And
if war comes what of this squadron?
THE COMMANDER.
w. S. Schley, commodore commanding
this fleet is a well-built man of about fifty
two years of age, with general appear
ance denoting thoughtfulness and diplo-
macy, coupled with certain characteristics
which indicate force of character and
quickness of action when developments re-
quire those features; large-headed and
kindly faced, 8 smiling eye, evidently not
given to temper, quick of answer, search
ing inquiry, this man as he treadS the cap
tains bridge of the Brooklyn in a naval
uniform or shakes hands with you in the
lobby of the hotel in civilian clothes, i'm
presses you as the firm, unyielding war
rior, just the man to take partial orders
for a flying squadron and complete them
himself with credit to his country In the
atmosphere which to-day surrounds him
there is a spirit akin to that German song
which says:
I'VE have all had more than enough of
love-
And now for song of hatred"
But in the commander there is no sign
of emotional desire, yet when the summons
comes the songs of those who cry loudly
now may weaken enough to be overtopped
by the commands of this intrepid leader of
a host.
In the makeup of the flying squadron
speed and lighting qualities have been con-
sidered A summary of the points in COM
parison with those of the best boats that
Spain can offer in making up a similar
squadron: