The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-03-24
OLD MONITORS ORD Erred OUT.
Secretary Long Thinks the Veterans Are
Capable of Some Ser vice.

Nlo5 Iuo ciSA1 oIu slASi6 UurE5teu. HULL
tors used during the war and nova. lying
at League island navy yard, Philadel.
phia.
He issued orders.t that the monitors Cats
kill and Leheigh proceed to Boston and
the monitors Nahant and Jason to New
York. The other monitors, Manhattan,
Mahopac, Montauk and Canonicus will
remain at Philadelphia, where the work
of preparing them for service will begin
Immediately.
secretary Long has also ordered the
double turreted monitor Terror from
New York to Key West, where she is to
join Admiral Sioard's fleet. The mont
tors Nahant and Jason will supply the
place of the Terror at New York. While
there Is vast difference between the old
and the new type of these peculiar naval
engines of destruction, yet they are essen
italy the same, and naval officers say
that it is a great mistake to balieye the
effectiveness of the old monitors is
past The monitors now brought into
commission took part in the notable en-
gagement resulting in the fall of Charles
ton. In recent years they have been some
what oyershadowed by the fine cruisers
and battleships of the new navy, but the
navy department never has lost sight of
them as effective coast defense vessels
in time of need. They have two 14-inch
guns, mounted in q revolving turret.
The turrets are in perfect condition, and
the guns while not of the latest type, are
effective for heavy solid shots. The fact
that they will proceed under their own
steam from Philadelphia to Boston indi-
cate the confidence of naval authorities in
their sesworthiness. The bureau of en-
gineering can put in the three new boil
ers with little delay. The ordnance bu-
reau have little to Go on the monitors,
guns. armament, etc. The quota of pow
der for the l5-inch guns Is already sacked
and can be placed aboard in a few days.
An important step in the preparations
for defense has been practically decided
upon by the navy department. Since it
is impossible for this government to OBJ
tain abroad war vessels of any class the
navy department has had under considers
ton the question of building new tor
pedo boat and torpedo boat destroyers.
Vessels of either class could not be
built in less than 80 lays, but the ext
gencies of the case are such that con-
clusion has been abroad, it is said, to give
American builders contracts for q num-
Der of these vessels. Only such build
ers, however, as are known to have the
necessary facilities, will be entrusted
with the work. which, If the present pur
pose is carried into effect, will be pushed
forward at the greatest possibl speed.
The number to be. CONSTRUCTED has not
been decided upon.
The developments of the morning for
the moment diverted attention from the
report of the court of inquiry which is
now on its way to Washington in charge
of Judge Advocate Mark. Secretary
Long has received his own official adj
vices that the officer is on his way. The
expectation is that Lieut.. Mark will ar-
rive Friday morning. He will come d.
rect to Secretary Long and place the re-
port in his hands The secretary will con-
yey it at once to the President. This win
give an opportunity for Its consideration
by the cabinet at the regular meeting on
Friday. After delivering the report Lieut..
Mark will return to his post on the Yer
mont at New York, unless the court of
inquiry has further investigation to
make, which is not at all likely.
Secretary Alger's office at the war de-
partment presented an usually busy as
pect today. Mich of the Secretary g time
was occupied in conference with tho vari-
GUS bureau chiefs of the department in
connection with preparations to imme-
diately improve the Notifications on the
sea coast. Several members of Congress
also called to have a word with the secre
tary, among them being Senators Lodge
and Hoar, and Representative Marsh of
Illinois Abner Mckinley, the Presi-
dents brother, was also among those who
called, but his stay was very brief.
Representative Marsh is chairman of
the House committee on the militia,
which has recently reported the bill to re-
organize that body of state soldiers to
raise it's officials and to appropriate a
million dollars for its support. The
chairman said he had spoken to Speaker
Reed recently in regard to the bill and
he hopes to be able to call 1t up in the
House for consideration within a reason
able time. During his interview with
Secretary Alger, Mr.. Marsh urged that
in the event of hostiIities the first re-
course of the government for soldiers to
be the state militia who should be invit-
ed to volunteer for the country's defense.
s secretary Alger was very much interested
In the arguments made by MIR. Marsh and
seemed to regard the suggestions made
by him AS practicable. Afterwards Mr..
Marsh called on President Mckinley and
the statements he had made to
the secretary.
During the morning Secretary Alger
was also in conference with Gen. Miles
the military occupation of
Fort jefferson on Dry Tortugas. The de-
termination to garrison this fort has been
reached by the secretary and the ques-
tons now to be met are those OF what
In Dne IOrtlncatIonS now
may be necessary. Already a contract
has been let by the navy department for
dredging large part of the harbor Of the
island so as to permit the entrance of
large naval vessels and today bids were
opened for erecting an immense shed in
which the navy will store large supplies
of coal It is realized, however, that with
out very material improvements and adj
ditions to the Notifications and armament
of Fort jefferson, it would be impossible
TO protect the coal supply from the de-
probation of hostile fleet unless United
States men of war were constantly on
hand for that purpose. Reports received
at the war department show that about
400 men up to this time have enlisted for
the two artillery regiments authorized
by Congress. About 1900 men in all are
required. Most of the new recruits are
sent to join old established regiments
and in many cases experienced men from
the latter are detailed for duty at the
sea coast Notifications.
There is a general impression at the
navy department. that it will become ne
shortly to relieve Rear Admiral
Sicard of command of the North ATTAIN
tic squadron and grant him indefinite
sick leave. Secretary Long desires to
have 1t understood that his action in Or