The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-03-27

GLOB e -SUNDAY-
of the newly acquired Brazilian cruiser
Amazonas, now the New Orleans. but.
1t can be stated upon high naval au-
thority that the detail has not vet been
made or even determined upon. Com
mander Folger is a son of eX-Secretary
OF the Treasury Folger.
Joint Hoard.
For several days a proposition has
been under consideration by Secretarys
Long and Alger to form a board, COM
posed of one officer each from the army
and navy, to systematic and harmon
nize the defensive operations along the
Atlantic seaboard, in order that there
might be no clashing between the two
great arms of the government 1t is
understood that the proposition was
considered favorably by both secretar-
les, and they proceeded so far as to
appoint the board, the representative
of the navy designated by Secretary
Long being Capt. Barker, his naval
aide, and the representative of the
army named by Secretary Alger being
capt. -Dorst, one of the attaches of
the secretary. Some objection was
made by the army officers to the crea-
tion Of the board, and a day or two ago
Capt Dorst was Withdrawn from the
proposed beard
1t seemed yesterday that the whole
proposition would be abandoned, but
today it was revived, and Lieut.. Col.
A. l.. Wagner chief of the bureau of
military intelligence, was designated
by Secretary Alger to act with Capt.
Barker as the representative of the
army
Late this afternoon Capt Barker and
Col. Wagner had an extended confer
ence with Secretary Roosevelt in the
latter's private office. Preliminary
plans for the operation of the board
were formulated along the lines indi-
Gated above, but no definite statement
concerning the nature Of the boards
work could be obtained from any Of
the parties to the conference. In case
of hostilfties the work of the board will
be very important as through it the
two great departments of the govern
ment at all times will work in perfect
unison. 1t is believed by many of the
war and navy officials that the board
composed as it is of two most efficient
officers, will prove Of distinct value.
Naval Militia.
AS rapidly as possible the navy de-
partment is pushing the work Ct pre-
paration for calling into active service
such Of the naval militia Of the various
unteer for service. AS already an
nounced the naval militia Of Massa-
chusettS and New York has rendered
its services and as soon as the neces-
sary arrangements can be made such
OF the officers and men as may be
needed will be placed upon the old
monitors, now at League Island navy
yard, and others on the newly acquired
yachts and tugs purchased for harbor
and coast defense
At present it is not regarded by the
navy officials as probable that the
naval militia of any Of the middle
Western states will soon be called into
service. The indications now are that
a sufficient number of men can be Sc
cured from the militia of Massachu-
sets, New York and New Jersey to-
meet all requirements. Should hostili-
ties break out, however, it is regarded
militia of both the middle Western and
Southern states will be called upon to
assist in manning auxiliary cruisers
and coast defense vessels.
Naval officials regard the naval mill
tia as a most valuable adjunct to the
navy proper, as 1t could be utilized not
only to man the smaller vessels, but
could be depended upon as a ;econd
line of defense. AS Assistant Secretary
Roosevelt points out there are two
very important features which could
be attended to by this second line One
is the placing of mines; and the other
the establishment Of signal stations for
coast defense.
Important Conferences.
Secretary Long had an early confer
ence today with Senator Hale chair
man Of the senate naval committee,
lasting over half an hour. The secre-
tary then had talk with Lieutenant
Commander Mark, judge advocate of
the Maine court of inquiry. Mr.. Mark
spent most of the morning at the navy
department, comforting with the judge
advocate general and with Capt.
Crowninshield, chief of the bureau of
navigation.
He maintained the strict reticence he
has shown ever since the report Of the
court of inquiry was confided to his
care. He has taken a desk in the
judge advocate generals office, and
will remain in Washington while the
report Of the court is under consid-
GRAFTON by the president and cabinet,
with a view to answering inquiries
which may be made
The navy department has been adj
V1SeQ today that the monitor Terror
had arrived at Hampton Roads, en-
route to Key West, where she will join
Capt. SIMPSONS squadron. The Vicks-
burg has also reached Hampton Roads
The flying squadron will not COM
plete it's organization until the middle
or latter part of next week, although
it's nucleus will be at Hampton Roads
when Commodore Schley hoists his
pennant on the flagship Brooklyn next
Monday. At that time the Brooklyn
and Massachusetts will be the only
ships Of the prospective flying squad
ron, the Texas being at the New York
navy yard to receive her ammunition
hoists, while the cruisers Columbia and
Minneapolis are expected to be ready
to leave League island navy yard in
time to reach Hampton Roads about
the middle of next week. Already men
and supplies have been forwarded to
League island for the two cruisers of
this squadron.
Sailors Assigned.
Sixty sailors have come on from the
great lakes, and seventeen coal passers
from the receiving ship Wabash at
Boston. These men are now at League
island and will be distributed between
the cruisers Minneapolis and Columbia
By the end Of next week the flying
squadron will be complete In it's Or
ganization.
The navy department issued orders
today placing officers in command of a
number Of the single turreted monitors,
which have recently been called into
service. Lieut.. r. G. Peck will COM