New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-04-08
BATTLE PLAN AT KEY WEST.
OUTLINE OF SCHEME FOR BLOCK
AIDING CUBAN PORTS.
BArrLE-sHIPs TO FORM THE THIRD LINE AND
BE PROTECTED FROM TORPEDO At
TAcK-NAvAL OFFICERS THINK
WAR is NEAR.


Key West. Fla. April 7.--Conditons here have
undergone a decided change within the last
twelve hours in consequence Of the Washington
advices as TO Consul-General Lees al approaching
departure and the firm attitude OF the Admin
istration. The latest news has aroused the pelii-
cose spirit to a greater degree than ever. Naval
men believe that a conflict is a question or only
a few days The enthusiasm is especially
marked on board the flagship New-York when
the news was received there this afternoon
CAPTAIN Sampson maintained his customary
reticence but the other officers were confident
that 1t meant hostilities unless there should ne
a complete surrender on the part or spain
which is now regarded as remote.
The most significant development Is the oroeF
Just received from the Navy Department as 70
q plan of action. 1t provides that In the event
of blockade of Havana or Matanzas, the nrs'
line OF battle nearest the shore VIII be COM
posed of torpedo-boats and tugs the second Oh
cruisers. such as the Marblehead. the Detroit
the Cincinnati the Nashville, and the gunboat
Helena and the third Of the battleshlps lndi-
ana and Iowa. and the flagship New-1ork IN
case Of an attack on the American meet oy an!
small vessels. the enemy would be engaged pE
the first two lines. the plan being 10 afIord the
greatest protection to the battle-ships from hos
tile tOrpeQO-DOdtS. SnOulu TIE dtNdNh NC ~
more formidable force such the Nizcaya or
the Amrante Oquendo. the first two lines would
retire. leaving the attacking vessels TO be en-
gagged by the battle-ships.
While 1t is accepted here as foregone con-
clusion that this plan would be executed shouio
necessity arise II comes from the Department
more as a suggestion than an order. and cap
tain Sampson has full authority 20 vary inc
plan or ignore il al will. and to follow the lines
laid down by Captain Alfred T. Mahan. the
great naval st-ategist. The receipt of the snS-
Restions however is taken as the best !nnl'auoh
Of the approach Of the long awaited connect
The Mallory Line steamer Coma! mas arrived
from New-York with cargo Of provisions ana
eight hundred cases of AMMUNITION ior me hee''
which have been in process Of transfer through
out the day She brought also several 6-pcund-
ers which will he mounted on the MangroNe'
The latter is expected from Havana tonight or
tomorrow, and. in case Of war; VIII propaoi!
serve dispatch boat
The Mascotte is expected from Havana TO-
night with more Americans. and the Chvette IS
also looked for from Tampa. but II is not known
Dositiyely whether she is carrying colored IN
3antrv Both vessels at the disposal or the
Government. -, w.
. The cruiser Detroit returned from the Tor
tugas to-day after coaling
Captain Sampson. commander OF the Heet. re-
ceiyed orders from Washington Yesterday 10 he
ready TO sail at o'clock yesterday afternoon
hut these orders countermanded later III
the day. ,,.
When the Nashville went on patrol tonight
sbe was literally stripped, rails, ventilators ana
etanchions gone. and she was In perfect nshlins
trim