The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-03-25
SA|N'S FlOTLLA SAILS
WarIikG Measures Rushed
al Washington.
PRESIDENT MAY PROTEST..
Naval StrategistS Want FlOtiIla
Stopped.
SAMPSON SUCCEEDS SICARD.
Fighting Bob Evans to Command
the Iowa.

washington, March 24-The last day
before the arrival of the report of the
Maine court of inquiry was of unexampled
activity in all official quarters.
Advices came early that the Spanish
torpedo fiotila had sailed from the Cana
ries for Porto Rico and from this moment,
the most energetic warlike measures fol-
lowed one another in constant succession.
The movement of this fleet had been
watched with the keenest interest as it
was felt to involve serious possibilities
which might compel the United States
government to protest against the move
ment as of a hostile character,
Immediately on receipt of the official
dispatch from one of our naval attaches
abroad, briefly announcing the sailing of
the feet the fact was made known to the
President and an earnest conference was
held between him and Secretary Long
and Assistant Secretary Roosevelt.
The seriousness of the movement was
fully considered and the President was
it as essential that this torpedo fleet
should not be allowed to reach western
waters. What, if any conclusion, was
reached, is not known.
Later in the day the Spanish minister,
Senor Polo Bernabe, called at the state
department and spent some time with
Judge Day. 1t was naturally inferred that
the approach of the Spanish hotilla was
one of the subjects referred to. Whether,
however, there was any suggestion
against this move, was not disclosed by
either Judge Day or the Spanish minis
ter, both of whom maintained the strict
est reticence regarding their conference.
Following the hotilla announcement, i'm
portant news came rapidly. The first was
this announcement by Secretary Long, in
dicating the placing of our squadron and
fleet on a war footing:
Admiral Scard has been granted leave
very much to the regret of the navy de-
partmeht on account of his health.
capt. Sampson has been made COM
mahder of the fleet at Key West. Capt
Evans has been ordered to take command
Oh the battleship Iowa.
Lc oIuers 10 the squadron IN Hamp-
ION Roads have not yet been issued"
although the announcement did not so
state 1t soon became known that Commo-
uofe w. S. Schley was slated to COM
Hahd the Flying Squadron
Inns announcement was recognized as
oI unusual importance at this juncture
-Aanlral Sicard has been in command of
ule Meet at Key West throughout the
cIlucal period of the Maine disaster.
apt Sampson has been in command of
t1e Iowa. but more recently had been
conspicuous before the public as president
"I the Maine court of inquiry.
capt. Robley d. Evans is better known
as Fighting Bob
me next important move was a de-
termination to create a Joint commission
from the war and navy departments, so
as 10 bring them into harmonious action
on all measures.
APT. Barker, the naval aide of Secre-
'1Iy Long, was designated to represent
tne navy department. in this common plan
~ action. The representative of the war
"epartment has not yet been named. IT
"'lI not be necessary for these two officers
~ leave Washington, as they can best
arrange joint plan of action in confer
tnce with the bureau chiefs of the two
apartments here.
Ihen at the close of the day came an
~Ni~NAiNhA lndt the navy department
N'a succeeded in purchasing eight steam
3dehts and four steam tugs, presumably
o' ana near New York, for use in the
"uAl'ary naval fleet. The boats are about
wv tons each, and in an emergency would
We suitable as torpedo boats. The yachts
turcnased are among the feet along the
Alanuc coast, and are said to be some-
"Hat similar to the Maylower recently
rul'Aased of the Ogden-Goelet estate.
lDls acquisition to the navy is regarded
"' an exceptionally valuable one at the
present time, as the greatest need is felt
Ior small craft suitable as torpedo and
uspatch boats. The names and amounts
i',a Tor the various yachts and tugs are
not disclosed.
throughout the day the White House
HNsented an animated appearance, sena-
,''a ana representatives from both polit-
I.al parties calling to confer with the
resident Among the callers were Sem
u'ors Cullom, Fairbanks, Lodge. Aldrich
zones Of Arkansas. and Spooner, and Rep
t'sentative Bailey, the Democratic floor
r. 'der in the House of Representatives.
i"e uppermost question at eli the confer
'"tes was the Maine disaster. and the an
.t'paled action of the President in laying
''' report before Congress. The confer
,N'es showed that the President still hoped
iot peace but that there would be no
.''ement of preparation to meet the 9TH
o' alternative
" llh the report in Washington tonight,
WIZ be laid before the cabinet at the
''su!ar meeting at Il O'Clock tomorrow,