New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-03-27
ACTIVITY IN A my CIRCLES,
,,rp.p.r1oNs FOR EMERGENCIES AT
THIS PORT.

VIEWS OF GENERAL MERRIrT-TRoors STA
TONED TO THE BEs' ApvANTAGE--A SIG
GEs71oN RBiARDING THE
SPANISH FLoT1LLA
~. interest and ACTIVITY in emergency prepa-
~..,ons FOR the possible contingencies Of the near
.,tp-e continued yesterday on Governors Island
and 81 the Army niildlns. Before coming to
town IN the Afternoon General Merritt said
"rverythinC that con he done TO put the fortif-
cations IN and about NewYork Harbor in a
complete state Of defence for any emergency
has been done We have transferred men to the
points where they viii be most useful, especially
- Sandy Hook. where the guns are ready
ro- use Ammunition for the OF all the
mounted guns rlfcd cannon and mortars has
been placed in each for. Ample supplies for
the men who man the Guns are also in read-
ness The work Of mounting new guns is being
rushed forward under the new appropriations
available The new regiment Of artiilerymen at
Fort Slocurl Is recruiting, and experienced men
have been transferred from other posts to aid
IN training the new We are ready for
ANYTHING The neH means Of communication
between headquarters and the forts Will give
Us still greater facilities than we now possess
for complete direc:io of everything to be done
II hostlues break out"
General Merritt is greatly interested in the
plans Of his chief OF artillery and subordnates
for careful computation of the range and direc-
ton az firing modern guns. The rangefinders
are depended upon for accurately calculating
the precise spots where projectes weighing a
ton or less can be landed with the greatest ef
feet. and there is daily drill in the work at each
a. the forts. The men are becoming more and
more proficient in the handling of the newly
mounted guns and II is believed that no vessel
car come within range Of the forts on Sandy
Hook. Long Island or Staten Island and escape
fatal damage.
The question q bringing more troops east
ward IS OF grea; interest IN Army circles. An
officer o, prominence said yesterday: IF the
infantry IS ordered 20 this post II Will be sent
"a the forts where the men can be used. and
no: camped on Governors Island The whole
Army has been modified and could be under
way 10 the seaCoast in four or SIX hours II
would take little longer TO make ready for TAX
ms care Of u. There has been an order Tor
ten thousand additional tents for the Tent Blu
reau at Philadelphia. II we were TO have
call 70 tent out & hundred thousand volunteers
We would have 70 set the tents wherever we
could"
There were two squads Of veteran artillery
men transferred from the forts On the Narrows
u David's Island yesterday TO act as non-conl-
niss.oned officers for the new regiment there
Two more squads will be transferred on Tues
day Their places VIII be filed by troops from
the other posts There VIII also be some trained
men sent here from Boston and Maine.
In speaking Of the act Of Spain in starting her
fotilla % torpedO-bo westward a naval OF
Seer said yesterday: IF l had the deciding
power in this matter would not let foreign
eotilla get near our coast Warships should be
sent out with sealed orders to meet the foe on
the high seas. II the convoy would not sur
render the torpedo-boats I would sink the con-
voy which would leave the torpedo boats and
torpedo boat destroyers helpless. they have TO
coal up every day. Then l would bring them
into one OF our ports say 10 Fort Monroe, ann
hold them as q pledge FOR the indemnity we
should demand from Spain for the loss OF the
trated by the European Powers. Spain would
be helpless and could AFFORD 20 wait. Let
us not wait until the Spanish lotilla is at Porto
Rico. Havana II would then be practically
II close touch with our coast. and We should
not run such risk.
entire readiness 10 go into service. and only
await orders II Is believed that the entire force
could be IN readiness II an emergency demanded
Il in q few hours. Captain Jacob W. Miller
who commands the Naval Brigade Of the state,
is in constant communication with the subordi-
nate officers and has completed every arrange
rnent possible for having his command in readi-
ness 10 respond 20 the call Of duty. Commander
William II. Stayton. Of the I'd Battalion, who
was III when he went on 10 Washington,
has recovered and he viii be able TO call out his
men as soon they are wanted. Commander
William Butler Duncan, jr, is at thehead OF the
LIST Battalion, having succeeded Captain Miller
in that place. He has his men ready to respond
at an hours notice to assemble on the New
upon 10 perform. All the men enlisted In the
Naval Reserve are DESTROYS Of showing that
their training is OF value 10 the State and Ma