The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-04-19
PREPARATIONS IN THE NAVY
Plans are Outlined For the Use of the
Auxiliary Cruisers.


Washington, April 1S.-Probably with
the view of availing himself of the large
experience of Rear Admiral Sicard, Sec
| rotary Long has revoked the sick leave
of that officer and ordered him to duty
in his own office at the navy department.
The admiral at present is at his home
/ IN New York state and is expected to re-
port at the department within the next
"a hours. Being thoroughly familiar with
every detail Of construction and the
strength and weakness of all the vessels
of the feet under Captain SIMPSONS COM
mand as we'll as those now lying at Hamp-
ton Roads under command of Commo-
dore Schley, the admiral is expected TO be
Of great assistance TO the department in
the arrangement of any plans of cam
paign.
The st. Paul will be taken to Cramps
shipyard for rehtting. 1t is believed that
about ten days time. working day and
night VIII suffice to make the necessary
alterations in the vessel. She will be
given hght-armored protection over vital
points, such as the engines, boilers and
gun mouths. It's not expected that she
Will undertake voluntarily 10 cope with
full-hedged warships carrying heavy guns
and armor protection but she IS feet
enough to escape from such craft and
her field Of operations probably will be
confined to the running down OF craft
OF her own kind that may be ccmmis
stoned by the Spanish government as pri-
vateers or commerce-destroyer
The navy department has changed its
plans as to the Venezuela, just purchased
from the Red D line. Instead Of using the
vessel as an auxiliary cruiser, she Is now
destined to be employed as a transport
Tor marines. These vii lbe GATHERED up
at the principal Atlantic points, placed
on the Venezuela and transported to Key
West and Hampton for detail to the fleets
there Tue Venezuela IS at present at the
Morgan Iron works, New York, where
work has begun upon her.
Third Assistant, Secretary Cridler has
returned to Washington from Paris and
resumed his duties az the state depart
ment He does not expect that i VII
be necessary to devite further attention
20 his work IN connection woth the Paris
exposition until rexa fan. He says that
he was accorded every courtesy by the
French officials and IS firmly convinced
that there is absolutely 10 chance either
a. present or il future Of any active in
reference by che French government 20
prevent the execution Of the plans Of tie
United States respecting CJ5a
Il was stated a; the navy department
this afternoon tina: the efforts 70 secure
TIE Chilean bat;lesh!p O'Eiggtns have
been practically abandoned AID that
there IS no longer any prospect TIA: the
United states desires or VIII be able %
secure any more warsh.ps either belong
ing 20 foreign nations or being built in
foreign shipya-ds. Assistant Secretary
Roosevelt said this afternoon THAI Il was
more than probable that the department
would continue IT'S efforts n this direction
to the requirement OF yachts. tugs. and
small craft generally. Tor me purposes q
the auxiliary navy.
The New York and Paris have been re-
christened Harvard and Yale respect lively.
When a man gets beat Ia 4 game Of cards
he always tells how he IS out Of practice