The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-04-17
.IO GARRY TRE ARMY
Transport Fleet, With an Es-
Cort of War Vessels.
SMALL CRAFT FOR CUBA
Special Mosquito Fleet TO
Harry the Coast,

Washington, April 16.-It was an
nounced at the navy department today
that there was no intention or necessity
for the assignment of naval vessels for
the transportation of troops TO Cuba in
the event that such a step was deter
mined upon. 1t was explained that the
war department would have entire charge
and direction of the transportation of the
military forces both by land and water,
and that the quartermaster general is now
ged in making complete preparations
for the charter of a feet of steam vessels
for use in transporting the militia TO
Cuba, in the event that such a movement
is ordered by the president. The only part
the navy would play in a case of this
kind would be to send a suitable fleet of
war ships along with the expedition for
its protection and safe conduct. The gen.
eral understanding among military and
naval officials is that the army and navy
when the proper time arrives will make Il
joint demonstration in great force against
the Spanish capital in Cuba and that
smaller expeditions will be organized for
the purpose of landing troops at MAINTAIN
zas, Santiago de Cuba, Cienfuegos and
other points on the island with a view to
the capture or surrender of the Spanish
army and the establishment of a stable
government in Cuba.
THE FLYING SQUADRON.
Secretary Long received a telegram this
morning from Commodore Schley, COM
handing the flying squadron, announcing
the return of that squadron to Hampton
Roads yesterday afternoon after most
successful practice cruise of As hours. dur
ing which the batteries of the various
ships were given a thorough trial and the
ships put through maneuvers. Captain
Philip, commanding the battleship Texas,
sent a telegram to Assistant Secretary
Roosevelt, in which he spoke in the high
est terms of the performance of that ship.
He mentions in particular the vast i'm
provement in the operations of the big
guns of the main battery, resulting from
the changes made at the New York navy
yard few days ago. Formerly the big
guns could be fired only once in eight
minutes but now are capable of sustaining
continuous fire at the rate of a gun every
&c minutes. Captain Philip closes his tele-
gram with the proud statement that THE
Texas is now ready to fight anything
afoat." Naval officials naturally are silent
with regard to the future operations of
the flying squadron or the North Atlantic
squadron under Captain Sampson at Key
West. Assistant Secretary Roosevelt, in
reply to inquiry on the subject this morn
ing, said significantly that the navy was
in complete readiness for any service
which it might be called upon to perform
either independently, or in cooperation
with the army.
TO SEE ABOUT DRY DOCKS.
Representative Bull, of Rhode Island
has introduced a resolution authorizing
the speaker to appoint seven members of |
the house to investigate charges of faulty
of the Brooklyn dry dock No.
3, and among other things, ascertain the |
probable cost of construction.
NEW ORLEANS IN THE YARD.
New York, April 1.-THE new cruiser |
New Orleans left her anchorage off |
today and steamed up to /
the navy yard, Brooklyn. Along the East /
river docks and on the Brooklyn bridge. |
crowds of people assembled and cheered |
as she passed. When the New Orleans /
approached the navy yard she fired Il !
salute of thirteen guns in honor of Rear /
Bunce. A board of inspection |
will decide what alterations will be neces-
sary in order TO have the New Orleans in |
best trim for sea service.
SMALL CRAFT FOR CUBA.
The naval auxiliary board received an |
order from the navy department today /
that they are to secure at once ten small
yachts of not more than ten feet draft.
The boats are to be fitted at once with
rapid-fre guns. They will he sent to Cuba
IN case of war to cruise in the rivers and
nlets on the Cuban coast.
NAVAL NOTES.
Philadelphia, April 1.-THE monitor
Catskill was placed in commission today
1t League Island navy yard. She is ex-
Dected to sail for Boston on Monday or
tuesday.
Liverpool. April 1.-THE White Star line
steamer Bowie. which sailed for New York
asst night. had on board large consign-
nent OF Lee-Melford rifles. ten Maxim
guns. fifty Krupp quick firing guns and
wo hundred tons of ammunition.
Southampton, April 1S.-The American
inc steamer New York, chartered by the
United States government, left this port
n ballast at 5 O'Clock this afternoon.
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