Evening star., 1898-03-26

Captain Rob1ey d. Evans.
From Photograph by Prince.)
not as menace but from what the Span
ish government feels is a necessary act
of defense called for by the existing con-
ditioE OF affairs.
Hardly less suggestive than the approach
of the torpedo fiotiIla was the information
received today by the highest military au-
ihorities that the Spanish government had
hurried to completion extensive fortifica-
tons on the Island of Porto Rico, lying
just off Cuba, and the only Spanish pos
session in this hemisphere other than Cuba.
The exact character of these new defenses
has been made known here, and they are
being given weight with the military au-
thcrities showing the disposition of
Spain.
No Protest by This Government.
No protest or representations of any kind
respecting the advance of the Spanish tor
Iedo f1otilla have been made by this gov
ernment up to the present time, SO far as
can be learned in the best posted quarters.
Close estimates are oeir-g made as to the
location of the boats today, and the tine
intervening before their probable arrival at
Porto Rico. The Navy Department calcu-
lates that the run from the Canaries to San
Juan. Porto Rico. which is expected to be
their first stopping point. Is $500 miles. 1t
is believed they have already covered about
100 miles Of this distance. They are NOV
ing slowly. heirg retarded by q collier
which accompanies them, and the balance
of the trip Will take from twelve to four
teen lays.
Although the NOV ment is grayely dis
crssed by the highest naval officials it is
rot accompanied by any intimation that
steps toward actually intercepting the flo
tilla have been naatured or even considered
except in the most general way. 1t is stat
ed on high authority that the reports that
the flying squadron under Commodore
Schley might be utilized in this connection
are not warranted by any steps thus far
taken. On the contrary, it is pointed out.
tie entire plan Of the flying squadron was
developed before the torpedo fotilla left
the Canaries. and its uses are designed in
quite another line.
Representative HiIborn's View.
In this connection Representative Hill
born Of California, one of the senior MEM
bers of the House committee on naval af-
fairs. was at the Navy Department today
end talked with the officials concerning the
o' 'Ai7 SpoAii"1' no'hi<' MI. ILL
porn presented anotner pnase OF the case
hot III line WIN she we" OF some officials.
- ho. ior US 10 interfere IN any way
win 'he movement oI the spanish torpedo
iio.lha or o'hef Spanish vessels SAID me-
e Se"S "ie an opeii highway 10 the
sAp' y. 'ne "oii"' anu "Aiie there Is no
20. ".o" y. "Ni VIC aie MOI III d positioh
' nc, .oi ipeuo ooa.s shah not
w. % o.. Sp". ee NJ 10 oirect !hem.
- -. .-Io our own snips at
49,. ,or -, .n ,,.a. po.'s' ~ is not 'he
sna n,sb sbins to,yord ~. ~ .o rs Vi
would ha an o,.rt ~. 80 w. ~ po.. nat
in the absence of q daoI.r.t,o, a. y,
CONFERRING WITH GEN. ALGER.
9" 'he sAgnal
A"e o'1e anger was up
~ p1.e".S .ne inos. nves o1 any IN the
s'.-.-.N .,e .--' u1.''Ae '''o eAx' II Deahe
AZ un'iy IaI2e
Aua'oel VI con 'e1slnen VINO sought ac-
oess 10 tne outer roonas OF stne secretarys
run of VISITORS swelled the total consider