The record-union., 1898-04-04
THE FLYING SQUADRON.
SUPERIOR TO ANY LIKE Or
GANIZATION.
1t Is Superior Both in Speed, Pow.
er and Tonnage to Anything
Spain Can Collect.


a staff correspondent of the Associated
Press )-The practical completion Of q
flying squadron of the American navy
by the assignment of Commodore w.
S. Schley TO take charge and his ac-
ceptance, as marked by his active OPP
Grafton on Monday last, is an epoch
making event in the history of the pres
ent difficulty. No other action of this
Government since the Maine disaster
so actively determines the fact that
actual warfare has been expected
The North Atlantic squadron is al
ways organized, and the appointment
of Captain Sampson to its command is
but the natural sequence of the retire
ment of Admiral Sicard from active
duty. So, too, the assignment of ships
of war TO that squadron or to the Pa
cific squadron are but moves toward
the mobilization that might occur at
any time But the flying squadrons are
the direct outcome of dangerous con-
ditions; are not necessaries of standing
navies in times of peace, but are eX-
petitions of an extraordinary nature
created only when the Government
fully decides that there is fear of at
tack, or that the time is ripe for an at
tack from here. 1t is therefore not only
possible but highly probable, that the
American flying squadron has work cut
out for it.
The fleet practically gathered, and all
together, that it is proposed will bear
this euphonious title is one of the most
formidable that can be gathered to-
gether by any nation. Egotistically in
favor of the United States as this state
ment may be, facts bear it out
In average rate of speed, in armored
protection, in caliber and number Of
guns and in fighting quality and dis
cipline of men, it can be proven that
the composition of this flying squadron
is superior, point of number being
equal, to any organization of a like ma
ture that can be formed by a foreign
Power. When on the Brooklyn evil
dence of an unmistakable character
was apparent that every man, from
stoker to Commandant was not only
fearless of battle, but courted it, and
hoped it would come. The small cali
Der gun that fired the Commodore's
salute with blank cartridges sang out
high-pitched paen 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, sunshine
touched the hills, just assuming their
emerald garb, and nature awake after
her hibernation caressing the hills,
spoke only of peace. But as the smoke
blows by, in every eye, was the kind
ling spark for vengeance for fellow
seamen hurled to death, and the hope
that the cannon's tenor note might be
changed to the dreadful one of war;
| and if war comes, what of this squad
ron? @ E8KS
w. S. Schley, Commodore command
ing the fleet, is a well7built. .man of
about % years of age, with a general
appearance denoting thoughtfulness
and diplomacy coupled with certain
characteristics which indicate force of
character and quickness of action,
when developments require those feat
ures-large headed and kindly faced, a
smiling eye, evidently mot given to
temper, quick of answer, searching in
quiry-this man as he treads the Cap
tain's bridge of the Brooklyn in naval
uniform, or shakes hands with you in
the lobby of a hotel in civilian clothes,
1
warrior, just the man to take partial
orders for a flying squadron, and con-
duct himself with credit, to his coun
| try. In the atmosphere to-day which
surrounded 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 a song of hatred; but in
the commander there is no sign of emo
tional desire, yet, when the summons
comes, the songs of those who cry
loudly now may weaken enough to be
overtopped by the command of this in
| trepid leader of host. In the make
up of the flying squadron, speed and
| fighting qualities have been considered.
| A summary of the points in comparison
with the best boats that Spain can Of
fer in making up a similar squadron
| follow.