The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-04-05
No Information at Washington Yes
tcrday Concerning the Movements
of the Spanish FIOtiIla.
SPY At FORTRESS MONROE
sENTRIES ORDERED TO SHOOT AT
INTRUDERs HEREAFTER.
Fleet at Key West Loaded with Coal,
Provisions and AEp=nunitiOn-
other War operations.

WASHINGTON, April 4.-The Navy De-
partment to-day sent Geographic orders to
the auxiliary cruiser board at New York
to purchase Immediately ten vessels for the
auxiliary navy, and the orders were prompt
" carried out. The board purchased the
following steamships: The Caracas and
Venezuela, of the Red d line; the Kansas
City, of the Savannah line; the Yorktown,
Jamestown and Princess Ann, of the Old
Dominion line and the FL Sol and three
others. Of the Morgan line. These boats are
between 1900 and 5000 tons burden, and
are much larger than the majority of the
ships purchased up to date it being the de-
sire of the department to secure vessels
large enough for use at sea in any capacity.
They will be used as cruisers in the proper
sense of the term and are not to be classed
in the moquito fleet of yachts and tugs. The
larger boats will make formidable naval
craft there being few cruisers in the navy
of a tonnage exceeding 5000. Tt is under
stood that orders will be issued at once to
place the newly-acquired vessels in ship
yards for the necessary refitting.
With the exception of the purchase of the
ten steamships. the day was devoid of de-
VeI0pments in the military and naval
branches of the government. There were
tt usual constant conferences between the
rious bureau chiefs OF both departments,
nd both Secretaries Long and AIger had
numerous callers from the Capitol. No or
ders, it was stated, have been sent to either
the fleet at Key West or the squadron at
Hampton Roads, and no confirmation could
be obtained of the report that sea orders
had been sent the battle ship Texas at New
York
Secretary Long held a brief conference
with Secretary Alger during the afternoon
and left the department shortly after
o'clock, much earlier than has been his Gus
tom for the past few weeks. Up to the hour
of his departure It was stated that no adj
vices had been received regarding any
movements of the Spanish torpedo fleet or
other Spanish vessels. Neither had the de-
partment been advised of any developments
In the effort to purchase war ships abroad.
After q conference with Judge Day NJ
Thebeau the secretary of the French en-
hassy. went over to the Navy Department
and had brief talk with Mr.. Roosevelt
regarding the ST. Thomas cable
No decision has yet been reached by the
authorities as to the location of the pro-
posed naval base on the gulf coast, the
matter being still under consideration.
Secretary Alger has decided 10 recon-
mend to the President that an additional
allotment from the emergency fund be
made for the use of the Ordnance Bureau
of the army. The Ordnance Department is
still lacking ammunition for the seacoast
Notifications and the extra allotment will
be used for this purpose
1t has been decided to detail for a time
at the Chickamauga battle field the TWEEN
ty-ffth Regiment of infantry, which is
about to leave the various forts in Mon
tana for service at Key West and Dry Tor
tugas. The reason for the action is said to
be the fact that the water supply at either
of the above-named places is not satisfac-
tory at present Chickamauga, General
Miles says, is an excellent place for the
concentration of large body of troops and
It is believed the location has been seriously
considered by Secretary Alger as a point
for the preliminary gathering of troops in
case of war.
The Navy Department was informed late
this afternoon of the arrival of the dyna-
mite cruiser Vesuvius at Norfolk to-day.
from Washington. Reports received at the
Navy Department to-day indicate a general
movement for the concentration of war
chips at Key West and other points on the
coast where their services may be required
in the event of hostilities. The monitor Ter
Tor, the gunboat Newport and the tug Ley
den have arrived at Key West The fleet
cruiser Minneapolis has arrived at Newport
NEWS IOf duty Win the HNlIS
The gunboat Bancroft. recently detached
from the European station, arrived at
Boston and will be at once put in condition
for active service. She is said to be in need
of a general overhauling. The yacht May
flower. recently transformed into dispatch
boat, has arrived at Norfolk. and this is
taken as an indication that she will be as
signed to duty with the flying squadron.
The revenue cutter Hudson has reported ar
rival at Norfolk where she is TO undergo
reconstruction into a guuboat. The torpedo
boat Somers. purchased in Germany, ar
rived at Weymouth this morning on her
way to the United States. The monitor
Nionadnock has arrived at Mare island.
Cal. The steam collier Saturn has arrived
al the Brooklyn navy yard. The yacht
Josephine. recently purchased of Mr.. Wide
uer, of Philadelphia, arrived at League
Island navy yard this morning and will be
converted at once into a torpedo boat de-
stroyer She will be named the Vixen.
Gen. A. w. Greedy, the chief signal Off
Ger of the army, left here to-day for the