The daily morning journal and courier., 1898-03-18
FLYING SQUADRON ORDERED
IT IS TO RENDEZVOUS SATHAMPTON
 ROADS.

About by Purely Strategic Considera-
 miral sicard May Command-Move-
 ments of Other vessels-spanish Minis
 ter Calls on Day-Spain's Attitude.
 Washington, March 1.-The event of the day in official circles was the issue of an order for the formation of a new squadron of naval vessels to be station ed at Hampton Roads. The squadron in the beginning will consist of five ships, all the best of their types. Two of them, the battleships Massachusetts and Texas are withdrawn from the present North Atlantic fleet at Key grave mistake to suppose that in or- dering this movement the navy depart ment is animated by any purpose of yielding to representations or intima- tions that may have come from the Spanish minister as to the mischief caused by the gathering of so large naval force as Admiral Sicard's fleet in the vicinity of Cuba. On the con- trary, the formation of the new squad ron was brought about by purely strategic considerations although it appears firm the nature of the force so far under orders to rendezvous at Hampton Roads that this stategy is of the defensive nature. This squadron can be called a flying squadron"
 An Ideal Naval Defense.
 The indications rather are that when reinforced by some smaller cruisers the squadron will constitute an ideal naval defense. For the past two months, influences have been at work in the navy department to bring about this change. Although other ships to be added to the squadron have not yet been definitely selected, it is surmised that they will include some of the old battleships at Key West and the armed cruiser New York, in which Admiral Sicard, it is believed, will command the new force. In place of the cruiser New York, the people of Key West will look upon the grim outlines of the big monitor Puritan, supposedly the most powerful ship in smooth water in the world. She will have to assist her on guard the double turretted monitor Miantonomah The Puritan is at Nor folk almost ready for sea, the Mianto- nomah is at League island quite ready, and so is the Amphitrite at Port Royal, s. c. So the order will in the end re- suit in the gathering of the pick of the North Atlantic Squadron at Hamp- ton Roads.
 Best Strategical Point.
 The point is said to be the best stra- tegical one on the Atlantic coast. It is almost centrally located and the ships from that point can reach any portion of the coast in short order, which is regarded as desirable since no one can tell just where fiotilla or tor pedo destToyers or a fast cruiser may turn up with intent to attack at own. Besides the second best navy yard in the country is there to fall back upon for repairs to the ships; there is plenty of the best coat at Newport News, there is easy water to navigate and finally the forts at Hampton Roads may serve as base of operations in case of need for protection. It is an- nounced that the commander of the new squadron has not yet been selected and pending that selection or the ar rival in port of Admiral Sicard, it is expected that Captain Higginson, the commander of the battleship Massa- chusetts and the senior officer will hold command of the squadron. Remaining l Al T e d. Massachusetts and the Texas, Admiral Sicard will still have large fleet of | his own and the spectacle will be pre- sented of fleet and a squadron on one station, something not seen since the l civil war. The monitors, which it is l designed to send to Key West, are said | to be well fitted for the service. Ow- | ing to their light draft of from fifteen to sixteen feet, they will be able to navigate safely the shallow waters of l Florida coast and will not be obliged, like the Iowa, to lie six miles out at sea from Key West to secure enough water under her keel.
 Movements of the Vessels.
 The gunboat Helena reported to the department that she had sailed to-day from Funchal, Madeira, for Key West, l to join the squadron. It Is now said that it has been determined to bring | the battleship Oregon around South l America to Key West. The navy de- partment has issued orders that such trial as may be made of the new torpe- do boat Rodgers shall take place while the boat is under way Saturday next | from Baltimore to Norfolk. She also will go southward to joint the fotilla at Key West. The Columbia and Min neapolis are still each 26o men short of their full quota, but it is expected l that enough men will be secured in the course of a few days to enable Che | ships to be sent to Hampton Roads. The naval recruiting offices in the South are meeting with success at New Orleans. Yesterday they secured forty men professionally fitted for the navy. Spanish Minister Calls on Day. l The Spanish minister called at the state department at o'clock and re- mained with Judge Day over an hour. Both parties to the conference were extremely reserved at Its conclusion. It is understood, however, that 1t de- veloped no new phases, but was a gen. eral talk in which pacific measures were exchanged. At that time the